During the next twelve years, Loring helped pave the way west. Now the nominal commander of the U.S. Mounted Rifles, in 1849 he led an expedition of 600 mule teams from Missouri to Oregon, a tremendous accomplishment for the time (in fact, years later it was called “the greatest military feat on record”). One of his men was William Packwood, great-grandfather of embattled former U.S. Senator Bob Packwood. Upon his arrival Loring assumed command of the 11th Military Department, covering a large portion of the Pacific Northwest. At one point, a number of Loring’s soldiers deserted south, lured by California’s gold rush. During a mission to capture the deserters, guide Jesse Applegate made the following observations about Loring’s leadership qualities:

Notwithstanding disagreeable weather, muddy roads high waters and scarcity of food the officers cheerfully underwent the fatigues and privation of the journey performing all the duties of common soldiers. The Col. himself tho an invalid setting the example by taking his regular tour of 3½ hours every other night as sentinel. Tho undergoing in his own person these fatigues and privations extraordinary for an officer of his rank, to capture men guilty of a high crime—of the 70 retaken to all but 2 who were incorrigible [committing cannibalism ed.] he extended his pardon—a higher proof of the goodness of his heart or the soundness of his judgement could not be given.

The Rifles left Oregon in May of 1851, this time traveling back to Missouri through San Francisco, Panama, Cuba, and New Orleans. Loring was soon sent to Texas and command of the Rio Grande Frontier. While in the Lone Star State, the Regiment fought a number of engagements against Native Americans, including the Comanche and Kiowa. As the man in charge, Loring also often acted as peacemaker, meeting with tribes as a representative of the U.S. Army. In December, 1856, Loring was promoted to colonel, at age 38 the youngest line colonel in the army.

In 1857, Loring and the Rifles were transferred to New Mexico. During one notable incident, Loring and Manuel Chavez, a famous scout, tracked a band of Gila Apache raiders across the harsh desert. After a long and grueling search of several weeks, they found the Apaches camped at the bottom of a steep canyon. Afraid of losing the element of surprise, Loring hatched a daring plan. Sending his men down by an easier route, Loring turned to Chavez and said, “Now Captain, I’ll go down the precipice with you.” Pistols in hand, the pair scrambled down the side of the canyon. One of the most feared Apache leaders of the time, Cuchillo Negro (Black Knife), was killed in the attack.

Loring played a brief part in the army’s famed camel experiment. The caravan made a stop at Fort Defiance, where Loring was post commander. He learned to ride the strange beasts, little suspecting he would one day see camels on a daily basis. In 1858, during the Mormon War, Loring and the Rifles were sent to Utah, although the conflict was over by the time they arrived. Instead of a war, they took part in a huge victory parade through Salt Lake City. On the return trip, Loring carefully documented the route from Camp Floyd, Utah, to Fort Union, New Mexico.

In May of 1859, Loring embarked on a lengthy journey to Europe, scene of the recent Crimean War. Like other American officers who made similar trips, he studied new military tactics that had evolved from the conflict. All would soon have a chance to put these theories to the test. After visits to Great Britain, France, Sweden, Prussia, Switzerland, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Russia, and Turkey, he spent time in Egypt, and met that country’s viceroy, Saïd. In ten years, the winds of chance would return Loring to the land of the pharaohs, but in 1860, they instead carried him home to a nation in crisis. In an era when many people never ventured far from their family farm, the 41-year-old soldier had already visited four continents.

Following his trip, Loring spent several months in New York City, where he suffered from complications related to his Mexican War wound. In March of 1861, the veteran colonel was named commander of the Department of New Mexico, and he returned West to assume his new command.