Near Engineer Summit Trail
After leaving the forest you enter a meadow and depending on the time of year you may see a field of Paintbrush with Engineer dominating the view above.
Near Engineer Summit Trail
Cairn at the summit
Near Engineer Summit Trail
View looking at adjacent mountain range next to Engineer Mountain
Near Engineer Summit Trail
Panoramic view. On the right you are looking south, down valley towards Durango. The road cut you see is the road leading up to Coalbank.
Near Engineer Summit Trail
Wildflowers in early August

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Engineer Summit Trail

4.5 (2 Ratings)
The trail to the summit of Engineer Mountain.
0.7
mi
Distance
1,301
ft
Gain
extreme
Difficulty
Views

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
0.65mi
Distance
1,301ft
Elevation Gain
6ft
Elevation Loss
45%
Max Grade
12,980ft
High Point
11,675ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
This unofficial trail starts from the meadow and the junction of the Pass Creek Trail and the Engineer Mountain Trail. While this is technically an unofficial trail, the area sees enough traffic that your way will be easy to discern. Rock cairns also mark the path. Take the switchbacking route to a nice viewpoint that some know as the Eagle's Nest. If you decide to keep going, you'll be scrambling and maybe using your hands on the way up. All in all, from the meadow you'll gain roughly 1300 feet in about .75 of a mile. Good luck keeping your speed up in this section, the technical terrain will slow even the most experienced hikers. While there is a trail, once you are actually on Engineer Mountain there is a fair bit of exposure and scrambling. Even though you are scrambling, Engineer sees enough traffic that a trail is visible on the way up. If you don't feel comfortable going on, it's okay! Stop, turn around, have a seat and enjoy the views. There isn't a bad seat in the house!

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
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Contributors
aaron moore