Engine Creek Trail
Durango to TH
40 Miles
Gain
1900 Feet
Condition
Poor
Region
Trail Length
3.4 Miles
Part of the Colorado Trail (High Country) system.
Engine Creek Trail (FS#657) is part of a loop for mountain biking and hiking. Most mountain bikers start at the Molas Trailhead, get on the Colorado Trail, then ride the Colorado Trail/Engineer Mountain Trail to Engine Creek and exit at Cascade Creek, which takes you out to the Cascade turn at Hwy 550. Note that the signage is minimal in these locations.
If hiking: Getting to the trail from either end involves some preliminary hiking, therefore, an overnight stay may be helpful. There is a good central location and campsite at timberline where the trail starts down along Engine Creek, along with a beautiful view of Engineer Mountain and Jura Knob. Water is abundant, but purification is recommended to avoid problems with Giardia.
Map & Directions
Map Coordinates: 37.719066, -107.822657
Where's the Trailhead?
dIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD
Molas Pass Trailhead
Cascade Creek Parking Area
Access #1: Follow U.S. Highway 550 north of Silverton approximately 2 miles. Take a left on Forest Service access road #585 to South Mineral Creek. Go about 2 miles past South Mineral Campground and turn left at the fork in the road. The Rico-Silverton Trail begins at the end of the road. The Engine Creek Trail breaks off to the east about 3 miles up the Rico-Silverton Trail, in an alpine saddle.
Access # 2: Roughly 30 miles north of Durango on U.S. Highway 550, go to the hairpin turn just past Cascade Village. Turn left (west) on Cascade Creek and go to the end of the summer homes. Take the Cascade Creek Trail about 4 miles. The Engine Creek Trail sign marks a turn-off to the right.
Trailwork
help build our trails!
No upcoming trailwork events are currently scheduled.
