Re the arial photo: Which way is North?
I drove over Marshall pass this past August with my daughter - not much left to clue the daisy pickers that this was once a transcontinental railroad, but the scenery alone makes the drive worthwhile. If you're travelling with a crittur fancier, we saw several deer and it looks like half the beaver population of the entire U.S. is living within a stone's throw of the right-of-way. The road was in excellent shape - anything but a low-rider would have no trouble getting over the pass, at least in late summer when it's relatively dry. If you haven't been this way before - and don't mind a little dust on your Caddy - I would HIGHLY recommend this detour to any railfan driving from Denver to Durango via Gunnison. Top up the gas tank in Salida or Poncha Springs, and instead of going west on U.S. 50 take 285 south a few miles, turn west over Marshall Pass, and pick up U.S. 50 again at Sargeants. The extra two or three hours is WELL worth it!!