Alpine Tunnel Trail • Hike • Colorado • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Sep 19 2021

PrestonSands

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

Alpine Tunnel Trail

South Central, CO

Alpine Tunnel Trail

South Central, CO

Hiking		Sep 19 2021
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Hiking	11.75 Miles	2,057 AEG

Hiking	11.75 Miles
	2,057 ft AEG

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I woke up early at my campsite on the Pitkin-Alpine Tunnel Road, in a deep, secluded canyon on the west side of the range, and crawled out of my 4Runner under cloudy skies and roaring wind among the peaks above to load my daypack. I then started walking east up the steep and rocky 4wd road leading to the ghost town of Hancock on the other side of the mountain, one of my destinations for the day’s hike. Crossing the Continental Divide at 12,100 foot Hancock Pass, views of range upon range of the central Colorado Rockies were visible before me. It was an easy downhill walk to the site of Hancock town at 11,000 feet, where I did some exploring and photography. Alpine Tunnel Trailhead was nearby, my second objective of the day. With forecasted storms not materializing, I continued west up Alpine Tunnel Trail along the old railroad grade of the Denver South Park and Pacific/Colorado and Southern, noting the 110 year old rotted railroad ties still present in places. A few marmots greeted me from talus slopes below as I neared treeline. This is an area of heavy winter snows, where trains would routinely be stuck and stranded in deep snow, or carried off the tracks by avalanches. The railroad eventually gave up and abandoned the Alpine Tunnel route after hemorrhaging money for 30 years trying to keep it open. The eastern portal of Alpine Tunnel, where this hike ends, has long since caved in, although a stream of water flows out of the cave-in debris. Historical signs add some info for visitors. from the tunnel I turned onto the Continental Divide Trail and scaled the ridge above the tunnel, before dropping down the opposite side into Alpine Tunnel station, where I had been the night before. The wind was roaring at the station site, where I did a bit more exploring before heading east down the railroad grade to my waiting truck. The drive out was beautiful, with plenty of aspens changing and a steady conveyor belt run of ragged clouds for drama. I stopped for a swim/bath in Cimarron Creek east of Montrose that afternoon, determining later that this was where I likely contracted giardia. The locomotive on a preserved trestle in the canyon was cool to see though. I eventually joined up with my brother Ryan and his friend Tim south of Ouray that night, where we camped out at the ghost town of Ironton. Very memorable day and trip.

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate

_____________________

"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

Sep 18 2021

PrestonSands

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

48 male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

Alpine Tunnel Trail

South Central, CO

Alpine Tunnel Trail

South Central, CO

Hiking		Sep 18 2021
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Hiking	5.80 Miles	1,100 AEG

Hiking	5.80 Miles
	1,100 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

This was my trip to the western portal of Alpine Tunnel, whereas the trail in the hike description is to the east portal.

I arrived at the road barricade a couple of miles below the west portal late in the afternoon, following a 13 hour day on the road from Show Low. The last few miles from Pitkin to the barricade/temporary trailhead at 11,000 feet were pretty bumpy. I threw on my pack and started walking up the closed road, which was the route of the Denver South Park and Pacific Railroad/Colorado and Southern Railroad from 1882-1910. The scenery was as rugged and beautiful as I thought it would be, despite the massive amount of beetle-killed spruce trees in the area.

I hiked past the historically famous “Palisades” cliff wall and quickly reached the sprawling open-air museum that is Alpine Tunnel Station, where the ruins of the enormous 50’x150’ stone engine house (locomotive servicing building), and boarding house greeted me. I hiked past the reconstructed section of railroad track, continuing another quarter mile to the reconstructed turntable, and then on to the collapsed west portal of Alpine Tunnel. No visible way to climb into the reportedly intact 1800 foot tunnel interior that I could see, which contains arched redwood timbers and intact railroad track.

I continued on the trail to the summit ridge above, on the Continental Divide, topping out at just under 12,000 feet, as the sun set. Cool views down both sides of the ridge to distant valleys. I

I then returned to Alpine Tunnel Station, and went inside the old depot building to check out the photos and interpretive signage. I was the only one around for miles at this remote historic site. I roamed around what is essentially a ghost town in the dark for a while, exploring and taking photos. With the temperature dropping and the moon rising, I started the hike back.

Returning to the barricade/trailhead, I cooked dinner, read for a bit, and then crawled into my sleeping bag inside my truck for much needed sleep. I drifted off planning my hike for the next day and listening to raindrops on the roof.

The evening was a great adventure that made a strong impression on me and proved quite valuable for my Alpine Tunnel model. A great hike and destination if you’re ever in the area.

_____________________

"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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