Overlanding Colorado's Iconic Engineer Pass

From the red deserts of Moab and the alpine plateaus of the flat tops to the jaw-dropping climbs of Cinnamon and California Pass, it's all led us here to take on one of Colorado's most iconic trails, Engineer Pass. A quick stop in Silverton to top off the tanks and grab some lunch. It's an old mining town with a lot of history, and today it's our last bit of civilization before heading back into the high country. With our bellies full of cheeseburgers and their famous Rocky Mountain oysters, and our tanks full of gas, we're ready to head back up into the high country. This is Silverton, huh? We had sheetballs. How'd they taste? Everything you ever dreamed of? They tasted fine. I didn't like the texture though. And the thought of it made it really, really bad, so. What'd you think about the sheetballs? Yummy. We had lunch at the Handlebar Saloon, or something like that. So now we're back on the trail, heading up towards Engineer Pass. And here we are at last, the beginning of Engineer Pass. It's a trail I've been waiting for for a long time, and being here now, with my boy as my co-pilot, well let's just say, I couldn't be more excited. So far, so good. The climb up the mountain is easy enough, but what it lacks in challenge, it makes up for in scenery. These views are some of the best I've ever seen. Sometimes you find yourself in a place that almost seems too good to be true. And this place, for me, has earned its spot on that list. There's a bit of traffic on the trail, so we're going to hang back and give them their space so that we can get ours. This is the first real obstacle we've come across, and it's not even that bad. Just take your time, put your tires in the right place, and you'll be fine. We finally make it to the summit, and all I can say, is wow. The trail winds across ridgelines and valleys that look like they belong on another planet. It's not hard to drive, but with the shelf roads carved into the mountainside, the exposure is enough to keep you honest. Especially if heights aren't your thing. There's nothing better than to be in nature, to be in a place that's beautiful and inspiring. And it makes you think about your life, it makes you think about what's important, it makes you think about how you want to be intentional about what you pay attention to and what you spend your time doing. So I always have a lot of gratitude being able to get out and experiencing these amazing places with some really amazing people. Driving up the mountains and kind of being on the edge of a cliff most of the time was really, it was exhilarating really. It was scary, but it was fun. We've made it over the top, and the views from the summit are everywhere. But now, with the day getting long, our focus shifts. It's our last night in Colorado, and the hunt is on for the perfect camp. Somewhere quiet, somewhere with a view, somewhere to close out this trip in just the right way. Well, Engineer Pass was pretty incredible. We came down off this offshoot, and it's really pretty down here. It's got a river flowing, and there's some camp spots along the river. The problem is that it's still at high elevation, and I've been having the worst time trying to sleep at high elevation. I never knew this about myself, but we're going to snoop around a little. We rolled into this lovely little camp spot right off of Engineer Pass. Engineer Pass is kind of like up there. You can still see vehicles driving by every once in a while, but this is a nice little flat spot, and it's right next to the river. We are still at high elevation, over 11,000 feet still, I think. Man, I am having a hard time in this elevation. I can't sleep at night. I feel like someone's sitting on my chest. So we're getting camp set up. We've got an awesome fire. The fire pit's cool, too. The fire pit's right on the water. Pretty awesome little spot for our last night in Colorado. The boys waste no time getting their shoes off and testing out the water. And this water is cold. Lennox is going to try his hand at fording the river. Looks like he made it, and I think he's pretty happy about it. Time to prep the fire pit and get everything ready for a relaxing night by the river. I'm not sure why some people think that certain things will burn in a fire pit, but it never ceases to amaze me what people throw in there. Anyways, I'll clear out all the trash and let the boys get started on the campfire. Lennox gave me this axe for Christmas one year, and it's gotten pretty dull over the winter. So I break out my sharpening stone and go to work trying to get a better edge on it. I think it's going to take a while. I pull Lennox in, and for a moment, the river, the mountains, all of it fades into the background. What matters most is right here, a chance to sit together and share a view that neither of us will ever forget. Well, it's the last night of our trip, and quite honestly, I'm all out of ideas for dinner. We've got tortillas, shredded beef, and cheese. So I've decided to throw together some quesadillas to hopefully fill us up for the night. I dug around in the jeep a little bit and came up with a couple packets of Taco Bell hot sauce. It's a simple meal in a simply incredible location in the Rocky Mountains. Sharing this last Colorado camp with my son and my friends is a small dream come true. And that's exactly what this place feels like, a dream. I'm grateful for the mountains, for this time together, and for all of you who've joined us on this journey. As night settles in over the basin, the glow of the fire throws its flickering light across camp. Is there anything better than this? The crackle of the wood, quiet conversation with a good friend, and our boys carving sticks in the shadows. Here in the heart of the Rockies, this is as good as it gets. Day breaks and after yet another rough night of sleep, I try my best to muster the energy to get the day started. There's a lot to do this morning and I can't stay in here for too long. That was another night of pretty bad sleep. The elevation is really not suited for it or something. It is no joke. I mean, I feel like I'm getting winded even just making this coffee right now. So yeah, kind of just trying to fall asleep, just feeling like you're trying to constantly trying to catch your breath. It's not a good feeling. So consequentially, I'm a little groggy this morning. But this coffee will help. Oh my god, it's cold. The honey's cold. So this coffee is going to help me. And I need my spoon. And driving the rest of the trail and the scenery will help me too. Look, just getting that spoon. I'm out of breath. That's crazy. But anyways, sadly, it's the last day of our adventure and the last morning here in Colorado. What a truly stunning place. The landscape here has completely blown me away. You know, I've been meaning to come here for years. So I've been wanting to come here for years. And I knew it was going to be cool. I knew it was going to be beautiful. But wow, the wildlife was pretty good too. I mean, that moose sighting was incredible. That in and of itself makes the whole trip worth it. Colorado is gorgeous. So I'm going to drink my coffee and then we're going to get packed up and hit the trail. We got the rest of Engineer Pass to do. So that should be fun. So yeah, let's do it. As we wind our way out of this valley, the San Juans stretch out behind us as if the memory is already trying to fade. It's hard to leave a place like this. But trips like these were never meant to last forever. What makes them matter are the people you share them with. And watching my son take it all in, I've realized these mountains are shaping him too. Teaching him lessons no classroom ever could. I've learned so much from this trip and I've had so many new experiences. And sharing them all with my dad is something I'll never forget. Colorado is beautiful and I can't wait to go back. And to all of you who've been following along, a sincere thank you. Your comments, your encouragement, your support. It means more than you know. This Colorado run might be wrapping up, but don't worry, the story isn't over. I've got big plans ahead. And this, this is just the beginning. When I think about our trip, when I think about the opportunity to go with my son and to be in some incredible parts of the United States, especially the beautiful state of Colorado, I just feel a lot of gratitude. I feel really lucky to be able to get out and experience nature and to expose my son to what our beautiful country has to offer. I've always loved nature and I've always loved being outside of my backyard. This trip especially has made me realize that I've matured with my perspective on nature and how I view, you know, our resources and how lucky we are to be in certain environments as well as how healing it can be. And it really is where I think is where we're meant to be. That's where I thrive anyways. This is Brian, John, Christian, and Lennox from Los Barros Overland. Until the next one, we'll see you down the trail. Adios!