SW COLORADO, ST. ELMO

We head up the canyon to the old mining town of St. Elmo.  This is the most complete ghost town in Colorado.  The last residents were removed in 1958 because of the severe winters.  It has now been revived by summer cabins and one store.

We continue up the canyon road to the old town site of Hancock.  Nothing is left of this old mining town.  We wedge the motor home into a space that doesn't block the road and hike 3.5 miles up to the Alpine Tunnel.  The trail is along the old narrow gauge railroad bed that was chiseled out of the side of the mountain. This is another spot where we can see for miles but not see anyone or anything man made.  The 1,800 ft. long tunnel was the most expensive to build at the time (1882).  Unfortunately the entrance has been blasted shut to keep people out.  On our return trip it starts to rain and we meet a young couple backpacking from Mexico to Canada (wow!).

Narrow gauge railroad trail to Alpine Tunnel

Just a pretty picture along the trail.

View from Trail 

Mitch walking along the Alpine Tunnel trail.

Alpine Tunnel trail.

We are free!!!!

Alpine wildflowers

'I eat little papillions' says the yellow-bellied marmot.

View from Alpine Tunnel trail.

Nature has been doing a little gardening on the mountain.

Just when Mitch thought there was no place to sit!!!

Dixie does stop to smell the flowers.

This is what the Alpine Tunnel looked like back in 1882.

This is what the Alpine Tunnel looks like in 2012.

Dixie waiting for mom to follow.

She's still waiting.

'I'm still looking for that Papillion' says the yellow-bellied marmot.

View of valley floor from the Alpine Tunnel trail.

Abandoned mine showing tailing's.