6/13/2023 0 Comments Moffat tunnel![]() Volume II of this series contains a great deal of information on the Moffat Road as well as the funding and building of the tunnel. The first train passed through the tunnel in February of 1928 today, you can ride through the Moffat Tunnel on Amtrak’s California Zephyr, and it is also used for freight trains.Ĭonstruction of the Moffat Tunnel was just being completed when James Baker and Leroy Hafen published their five-volume History of Coloradofor the State Historical Society. It took nearly six years to construct the 6.2 mile-long tunnel at a cost of nearly $24 million and with 28 lives lost. (The Act providing funding for construction of the Moffat Tunnel can be viewed online via the digital Colorado Session Laws). It would be more than a decade before the Moffat Tunnel plan was finally financed by the State Legislature in 1922. He never got to see this happen - Moffat died in a New York hotel room in March 1911, a death many speculated was suicide because he had been under great financial pressure at that time. His new route would ever after be known to Coloradans as the Moffat Road.Īs early as 1902, Moffat realized that what would really make the Moffat Road successful would be a tunnel to shorten the trip through the Continental Divide. Moffat’s goal had been to create a route from Denver to Salt Lake City that was shorter than the route available via the transcontinental railroad. He helped organize the Denver & South Park Railroad in 1872 and then, after overcoming fierce competition from the larger railroad companies,* established the Denver, Northwestern & Pacific Railway in 1903. His influence in the banking community allowed Moffat to pursue his real interest, railroads. A few years later, he took a job as cashier of the First National Bank, rising through the ranks and eventually becoming president of the bank in 1881. One of Colorado’s early pioneers, David Moffat arrived in Denver as a bookseller in 1860. Although he did not live long enough to see it, construction on that tunnel was completed ninety years ago and the tunnel is still in use today. However one man had a vision for a tunnel that would ease travel through the Continental Divide. Head along Ski Idlewild Road and dip your feet in Vasquez Creek or take the paved bike path to the Rendezvous Event Center/Park in downtown Winter Park.Getting trains through the Rocky Mountains has always been a challenge - steep grades, rocky cliffs, and tall snowdrifts are among the many obstacles that early Colorado railroad officials and designers had to contend with. Yankee Doodle Trail meets Meadow Trail which parallels Ski Idlewild Road for a short distance. Serendipity then runs along the ridge line and crosses a road before the descent along Yankee Doodle Trail. This hike included a climb up South Fork Loop Trail and up Whoops Trail. ![]() The trails are all well marked so plan your descent and enjoy. There are now multiple options within the Idlewild Trail systems for your descent into Winter Park. Twisted Ankle is a singletrack descent for one mile. Cross the road to Twisted Ankle, which is now shared with mountain bikes. Be aware, but the trail is a lot of fun.Īfter 3.5 miles, Broken Thumb Trail ends at Water Board Road/FS 128. Broken Thumb Trail is shared by runners, mountain bikes, and motor bikes. Take Rollins Pass Road for 2 miles to Broken Thumb Trail. Either way your goal is to get to the Riflesight #76 about 0.5 miles away.Ĭontinue down Riflesight #76 which is a fun doubletrack for about a mile until it merges with Rollins Pass Road. 1) Head along Rollins Pass Road, 2) make your way to the far side of the Riflesight Trestle (over or under) to Trestle Trail (#77) to Rollins Pass Road, or 3) traverse down a steep slope to the Riflesight #76. Īt Rollins Pass Road, you'll see the Riflesight Trestle. The trail starts off a bit rocky on doubletrack, but turns into a nice singletrack over the 2.4 miles to Rollins Pass Road (Corona Pass Road CR80). Start your descent to Winter Park along Rogers Pass Trail. There are great views of James Peak, Winter Park, and Boulder County from the pass. The total distance to the top of the pass is about 5 miles. ![]() Make sure to take in Heart Lake as you start the last ascent. The steepest parts of this hike are from here to the pass. Stay left at the trail junction and start ascending towards Roberts Peak Lake. ![]() Take the South Boulder Creek Trail which has a very pleasant grade. ![]()
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