Summer is finally here, which I have been waiting for. I love just cruising the high alpine forest roads and trails around the Rockies. I am fortunate to live in an area surrounded by some of the best off roading in the country. We live just a short drive from Ouray and the famous Jeep trails of the San Juan mountains.

This last weekend we were able to get out with the kids and drive some Alpine passes. We started out in Lake city Colorado. We drove up Cinnamon Pass, which is part of the famous Alpine loop.  Here are some neat old mining buildings still standing along the trail.

Cinnamon Pass is full of old Mining history, combined with Colorado scenery!  Driving these roads with all the old buildings and history is like going back in time. After this way point the pass gains elevation quickly.

Here is a fork in the trail that leads up to a dead end basin trail, we decided it was a good spot to let the kids play, and eat some food.  We couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a picture surrounded by the wild flowers and snowy peaks.

Next it was off to Animas Forks ghost town.