Summer 2021, Day 46: Taylor Park, Day 4

Today I decided to try to approach Hancock Pass from the other side.  Descending is easier that ascending, and I’ve heard the western ascent is easier.

Clay was busy today, so I headed out solo.  I went through Tincup:

Summer21_Day46_001

Up and over Cumberland Pass (12,015’):

Summer21_Day46_002

Down the other side toward Pitkin:

Summer21_Day46_003

Old mines along the way:

Summer21_Day46_004

Summer21_Day46_005

Summer21_Day46_006

I visited Pitkin (population 76):

Summer21_Day46_007

Summer21_Day46_008

I then headed towards Hancock Pass.  This old railroad route includes the base of a water tower used to feed steam engines:

Summer21_Day46_009

Summer21_Day46_010

This water tower is still standing:

Summer21_Day46_011

End of the line?

Summer21_Day46_012

Summer21_Day46_013

The Hancock Pass ascent looked too sketchy for being all alone in the middle of nowhere.  I turned back and followed the railroad track to the Alpine Tunnel.  A bit of exposure:

Summer21_Day46_014

I continued on until I could go no farther:

Summer21_Day46_015

Didn’t feel like threading this given the consequences for a fall, so I continued on foot:

Summer21_Day46_016

After a half-mile walk I approached the train station for the west portal of the Alpine Tunnel, the highest railroad tunnel and the longest narrow gauge tunnel in North America.  The tunnel was active from 1882 to 1910, and has since been sealed by collapses and landslides.  Ruins and restored buildings remain:

Summer21_Day46_017

Summer21_Day46_018

Summer21_Day46_019

Summer21_Day46_020

The restored telegraph office:

Summer21_Day46_021

Summer21_Day46_022

Telegraph office interior:

Summer21_Day46_023

Summer21_Day46_024

Approach to the tunnel entrance:

Summer21_Day46_025

The western tunnel entrance, now filled in:

Summer21_Day46_027

Summer21_Day46_028

Summer21_Day46_029

Summer21_Day46_030

Heading back:

Summer21_Day46_031

Good Shabbos from Taylor Park! See the trip map for today’s ride.

Summer 2021, Day 45: Taylor Park, Day 3

This morning, Clay and I decided to try motorcycling the “Miner’s Loop” over Hancock Pass.  Our first stop was the town of Tincup:

0729210908a

0729210908b

0729210909

We climbed up and over Tincup Pass (12,154’):

0729210920

0729210941a

0729210942

0729210944

We descended into the ghost town of St. Elmo:

0729211017

0729211019

0729211023a

0729211037

We passed the abandoned townsite of Hancock, then began the ascent to Hancock Pass:

0729211111

The climb became progressively more rough and steep, so we turned back before reaching the summit.  Even UTVs had to proceed carefully:

0729211122a

After returning to the RV, I explored the area south of there to see if I could find a campsite with cell signal:

0729211758

See the trip map for today’s ride.

Summer 2021, Day 43: Taylor Park, Day 1

Good morning from Taylor Park:

Summer21_Day43_001

Summer21_Day43_002

This morning I rode my bike up to Cottonwood Pass at 12,126 feet.  Cottonwood Pass is the highest paved mountain pass over the Continental Divide:

Summer21_Day43_004

Summer21_Day43_003

Summer21_Day43_005

Clay and I motorcycled the area:

Summer21_Day43_006

Summer21_Day43_007

Summer21_Day43_008

Had a little fall, breaking off the mirror and the end of the clutch handle:

Summer21_Day43_009

Rush hour on the trail:

Summer21_Day43_010

Goodnight:

Summer21_Day43_011