Colorado Midland Centennial Trail

The Colorado Midland Railroad built standard gauge tracks over the mountain back in the late 1880s, and the original rail bed comprises much of this 5.5 mile trail. The roadbed ascends at a 1 to 2 percent grade and switches back 3 times across the mountain side. The trestles are unfortunately gone, but a few remnants of railroad ties and even snow sheds remain. Here Ellen hikes uphill with the magnificent vistas obvious behind her.



Marlene makes her way up the old wagon road which was the main street of the construction workers' homes in the town of Douglass City. Most dwellings were tents, but the remains of a few of the permanent log buildings can be seen, perhaps parts of the 8 saloons and 1 brothel which served the workers.



Rest stops reward hikers with food for thought as you gaze over the scenery. I wondered if the workers constructing the railroad were able to appreciate and enjoy the views as much as we did. "Forever" views indeed stimulate introspection and remind one of the vastness beyond self and the greatness of the Creator.



The highest point of the line was at Hagerman Tunnel, a mere 450 feet below the summit, making this at the time the world's highest elevation full standard gauge railroad tunnel. The opening is in the cleft in the center of the photo, though the original right-of-way has become partially blocked by fallen rubble over the last century.



A cautious climb over the fallen boulders allowed this closeup shot of the tunnel entrance, replete with winter's remaining ice and snow, hidden in the tunnel entrance and unmelted by the sunlight. The tunnel 600 feet lower than this one (which replaced Hagerman Tunnel after merely 3 years of service) is chained and gated shut, but Hagerman is ungated -- though large warning signs tell of the dangers of falling rock inside.



This is the view that would greet the engineer as he brought his train out of the tunnel -- the high mountain beauty, Opal Lake, and the magnificent mountains beyond...



...and a half mile later on the descent down the grade, the engineer would again be rewarded with views of Hagerman Lake, another high mountain gem of a lake.



What a wondrous day! We hiked over 12 miles on two different mountains, all over 11,000 feet elevation, and ascended over 2000 feet total -- and for the first day did not have rain. And people wonder what magic keeps drawing me to the high country! One trip up here would answer that question and no doubt create a new addict!