Re: C&TSRR at Los Pinos

I know, I was there in 1985 and shot video for the first time on the C&TS that year. I was there in 1992 and there were 1 or 2!!
I guess the states can't buy all the land around the railroad to keep the experience all-natural! It could be far worse with more development at more places I suppose.
I remember going out there in the 60's and even the 70's and cows and sheep would fill this meadow in the summer. Ran into a ranch hand who told us they were brought up here in the late spring.
This used to be the favorite gathering place for any railfans chasing out of Alamosa. The goal was to hope that the train from Alamosa would show up before the sun was gone!!!! I think it was usually about 50-50!!
Still a pretty scene with the lake, the tank, and other things. I snowmobiled around there in 97 and shot some neat stuff between Apache Canyon Road and the tank. In 1993 we took snowmobiles and watched them plow through some really heavy stuff between the lake and Los Pinos Phone Booth.
We took the snowmobiles back quite a ways, but ran out of snow. We could barely see the crossing of Cascade Creek Trestle in the distance. Had to cross a creek that had little snow covering it...an adventure in itself, especially trying this with two guys on one rig!!!
In 1997 I got smart, and had one to myself,and a guide who pulled a sled behind him with all my gear. Since then I have downsized my gear though!
Greg