Alpine Tunnel 8-2-2020
| August 04, 2020 05:40PM |
Made the hike up to the West Portal this past Sunday and was really amazed at the scenery. I've never been up there before so it was incredible to see it all and try to imagine the construction and operation of the line in such a beautiful but unforgiving environment. The Palisade damage is still there of course and I took a few photos of it for those who haven't or can't see it. There is also a rock fall on the grade that needs to be cleared but is passable for hikers. Aside from that things seem to be in good shape although the outhouse is really in need of a new roof. It's about to not be weather tight anymore.
On this trip we followed the grade from Denver along 285 via Trout Creek Pass to Nathrop, up Chalk Creek Canyon to St. Elmo, up to Hancock and hiked to the East Portal. Then we drove over Hancock Pass to hit the Sherrod Loop and make the hike to the West Portal. After that we followed the grade down to the Cumberland Pass turnoff before leaving it to travel north to Tincup. So we ended up roughly following the grade more or less from Denver to Pitkin.
How I wish I could go back in time and ride the train through from Nathrop. It would be amazing to enjoy a nice meal at the Alpine Tunnel boarding house and then proceed downgrade to Pitkin. That whole section up Chalk Creek Canyon and back down to Pitkin and beyond is really breathtaking.
On this trip we followed the grade from Denver along 285 via Trout Creek Pass to Nathrop, up Chalk Creek Canyon to St. Elmo, up to Hancock and hiked to the East Portal. Then we drove over Hancock Pass to hit the Sherrod Loop and make the hike to the West Portal. After that we followed the grade down to the Cumberland Pass turnoff before leaving it to travel north to Tincup. So we ended up roughly following the grade more or less from Denver to Pitkin.
How I wish I could go back in time and ride the train through from Nathrop. It would be amazing to enjoy a nice meal at the Alpine Tunnel boarding house and then proceed downgrade to Pitkin. That whole section up Chalk Creek Canyon and back down to Pitkin and beyond is really breathtaking.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.