Re: La Veta Pass

When the D&RG standard-gauged the line from La Veta to Alamosa in 1899, they constructed an entirely new route across the Sangre de Christo range. The original narrow gauge route had 30 degree curves and 4% grades that were thought to be impracticable for standard gauge use.

New line was built up Middle Creek Valley, which essentially is the next watershed south of original route. The standard gauge line reduced the maximum curvature to 16 degrees with a maximum grade of 3%.

The station at the summit of the new line was called "La Veta Pass", as compared to the original narrow gauge line's station called "Veta Pass". There was considerable confusion with having a station called "La Veta" (in the town of the same name), another called "La Veta Pass" (at the summit of the new standard gauge line) and "Veta Pass" (on the soon to be abandoned narrow gauge line), so the station at the summit of the new line was changed to "Fir".

I have never heard of a town called "Bernice", and it does not show on any timetables. At one time there was some logging done on the Trinchera Estate lands on the west side of new La Veta Pass. They may have had a logging camp by that name.

If you look at Google earth, pinpointing "La Veta Pass" and "Fir" it all comes in clear.