Trail Overview

Alaska Basin is a scenic, 2.2-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, branching off the Alpine Loop just west of Hurricane Pass. Descending from 12,908 feet to 11,590 feet, the route offers panoramic alpine views and a quiet alternative to busier nearby trails. The first half of the trail consists of a relatively smooth dirt path leading to a dramatic overlook of "The Wall" on the Poughkeepsie Gulch trail. Beyond this viewpoint, the track narrows and becomes more technical as it descends into the basin at the head of Silver Creek. This lower section features a grass-filled path with rutted dirt, loose rocks, obstacles up to 18 inches, and occasional shallow water crossings. The trail ends at a dead-end, requiring drivers to turn around and retrace their steps.

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Difficulty

Uneven, rutted dirt trail with loose rocks, sand, erosion, and washes. Potential water crossings up to a foot deep, mud holes, and obstacles up to 18", including ledges and short, steep grades. Roads are typically one vehicle wide with places to pass.

Technical Rating

Nathan Hank

Jul 13, 2026

Open

Normal

Jason Willaford

Jun 17, 2026

Obstructed

Deep Snow

Made it down thu first set of switchbacks and hit a deep snowbank. Guessing a couple more weeks before that particular bank is passable.

Dylan Damewood

Jul 20, 2025

Obstructed

Deep Snow

4-5 miles from the start of the trail, at the 3rd “pond”, snow covered the trail, impassable

Jens Thomas

Aug 28, 2024

2022 Toyota Tacoma

Open

Muddy/Wet

The description of this track is completely wrong. There is a pucker factor that is not at all described. First of all, there are two slide areas. The entire track is one lane with only a few places to pass. And the opportunities to turn around are almost non existent. One of the slides has tight switchbacks that require two-point turns which would be ill-advised if wet. About halfway down the trail, there is a pull off to the right which can accommodate several parked cars. This is really the only area to stop and consider your next option. If you continue, you need to be fully committed. Would not recommend if raining or has been raining, leaving the ground saturated. You will drive over a very narrow shelf road cut into a slide area. There are a few places with rocks poking out that need to be closely observed when passing by. After the shelf road, you decent down into a very wet stream crossing and the end of the marked trail, which only can accommodate two cars turning around. Good luck!

Nic Shimkonis

Aug 14, 2024

Open

Normal

Nick Bluth

Jul 06, 2024

Obstructed

Deep Snow

Only made it halfway down the trail before encountering a large snow drift that blocked the trail.

Landen Reeder

Jun 26, 2024

2023 Polaris RZR Pro XP

Open

Rough/Deteriorated

Switchbacks specifically were super lose and snow made it hard for even capable machines to accomplish. Fun trail but expect a challenge

Timothy Broughton

Jun 28, 2023

Obstructed

Deep Snow

Alaska Basin Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

Single Track
50 Inch
60 Inch
High Clearance

Access Description

The trail is situated in the Uncompahgre National Forest and is subject to US Forest Service regulations. No fees or permits are required to drive the trail, but off-highway vehicles (OHVs) must have a valid Colorado OHV registration, and highway-legal vehicles must be properly registered. The trail is closed by snow during winter and spring, typically opening in late June or July and remaining accessible until the first major snowfall in autumn.