Alpine Tunnel Friday, 22 June 2012

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Alpine Tunnel Friday, 22 June 2012 Destination: Hancock Townsite and The Alpine Tunnel Type of Hike: Half-Day Hike, Car Shuttle Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (distance and altitude) Total Distance: almost 6 Miles Start Elevation: 11080 Feet Highest/Lowest Elevation: 11600 Feet (at endpoint) Elevation Change: 520 Feet (gentle rr grade to tunnel) Approximate Hiking Time: approx 4 Hours (with lunch and breaks) Pace: Relaxed (no forced march here!) Trail Conditions: Class 1 (graded trail throughout) Highlights: Sweeping mountain views, Cliff cuts, RR History Meeting Location/Time Parking area on northwest side of Trout Creek Pass Summit at 8:00 AM, Friday 22 June Special Conditions Pets allowed but remember that we share the trail with bikers and other hikers. Bring plenty of water and don’t forget the sunblock – we are exposed to plenty of sun. There is no special need for bug repellent. Also, do not forget a lunch – we will be able to enjoy a nice stop for one along the way. Directions to Trailhead To get to the trailhead from Johnson Village, take US 285 South 8 miles to Nathrop. Turn right (West) on CO 162 and go 12 miles, towards St. Elmo. Just before reaching St. Elmo, bear left onto CO 295 and go 5.5 miles to Hancock. Although many portions of the road are generally okay for any car, a high clearance vehicle is preferred to make it to Hancock. A portion of road in Romley is very bumpy with a few sticking up from the road. Immediately after crossing over Chalk Creek, the Alpine Tunnel Trailhead is to the right. Hike Overview The Alpine Tunnel Trail begins at the Hancock Ghost Town (five miles south of St. Elmo) and consists of the old railroad bed that once served trains traveling through the mountains of central Colorado. On the lower part of the trail there are still a-lot of railroad ties left. It's amazing since the railroad hasn’t operated since 1910. The trail continues to the east portal at the Continental Divide. Here the Alpine Tunnel was built through the mountain for easy traveling of trains. The Alpine Tunnel is a 1,772 feet (540 m) narrow gauge railroad tunnel on the former Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad route from Denver to Gunnison. At an elevation of 11,523 feet (3,512 m), it was the first tunnel constructed through the Colorado Continental Divide, and according to the U.S. Forest Service "remains the highest railroad tunnel and the longest narrow gauge tunnel in North America." However, it did not last long in service. Construction began in January 1880 and was scheduled to last for six months but instead dragged on till July 1882, and the line was abandoned in 1910 due to minor damage in the tunnel. Now the tunnel is sealed shut and the remaining trackbed serves as a trail for hikers and off-road vehicles. Leader: Jack Armstrong. Please contact me if you are interested in going on this hike or have any questions. I may be reached at: (719)836-9046 or [email protected] .

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