Engineer Mountain is our favorite summer hike. It is well marked and fairly popular. Engineer Mountain is the prominent "double" cone which can be seen when driving northbound on US-550 beyond Purgatory in the San Juan National Forest. This is a fun and challenging mountain with awesome panoramic views in all directions from the summit, since it’s nearly 13,000’ and stands alone. The most direct ascent starts at Coal Bank Pass on US-550 and goes up the Pass Creek Trail. An alternate ascent from the west has yet to be documented here on SP. With it's close proximity to Durango, Engineer is a popular hike in the summer. While only 4.4 miles round trip, it's considered a difficult climb due to the narrow ridge, loose talus, and the exposed crux move. Gain is 2,378 feet.

The hike climbs up moderate switchbacks and then gradually climbs up to the base of Engineer Mountain. Much of it falls on the heavily timbered northern aspect of the mountain, and patches of snow may linger in mid-summer. Toward the top, the trail breaks out into beautiful alpine meadows at the base of the peak, offering sweeping views of the Needles Mountains and Animas Valley. This hike is great in July/August when wild Columbine, Orchids, Primrose, Geraniums, Coneflowers are abundant - and the views are incredible. Pack a good picnic lunch to eat when you get to the top (not to the top of the mountain - we don't do that - we just hike to the big boulder).

Engineer Mountain was first climbed by a civilian topographic assistant by the name of H.G. Prout in June of 1873.

Location: Head North on Hwy 550 past Purgatory toward Silverton. Coal Bank Pass is 35 miles north of Durango, 13.5 miles south of Silverton, on Route 550. There is a parking area and restroom facility on the east side of the road at Coal Bank Pass (but don't park there). Just north of that, turn onto a road on the west side (opposite the rest area) which goes to the Pass Creek TH in under 200 yards.Slow down after mile marker 56 (it's between mm 56 and 57), you will see a rest area on the right and about 30 yards from that there is a small dirt road on the left - turn in there. It is hard to see, so slow down. Park at the end of the road on the side of the cul-de-sac. You will see the trail head heading north, and start there. Make sure you have plenty of water, a sweatshirt, and some rain gear. It should take 4 hours to casually hike up and back.