Re: Getting to Vance Junction Coal pockets

The ROW past the coal pocket has been turned into a hiking trail. Turn off 625 at the church camp on the Sunshine Mesa Rd. Cross the river and take an immediate right through the trees. The road is hemmed in by aspens but an easy access. You can drive up to the pocket, watch for nails around the pocket. It is almost impossible to see where the standard gauge box body was as well as the section house and coach due to the aspen growth. Walk the ROW back from the pocket to find the locations. The growth also hides the pocket from the 625 Rd. There is only a short stretch where the pocket is visible through the trees. Remember the ROW to Ophir is the track you come in on. The ROW to Telluride is a little East of that track and is overgrown.