Sometimes when I travel and hike in the Rocky Mountains, I am in awe of
how people used to live in and cross these peaks. Without the modern conveniences that we take for granted, how hard that must
have been. This hike up to Rollins Pass was one of those times.
Before the Moffat Tunnel was built, over 7 miles long crossing under the Continental Divide, the steam locomotives took travelers
over Rollins Pass – 11,660 ft. In fact. The first recorded use of Rollins Pass was by a wagon train in 1862. Wow – talk about
taking a walk through history.
On the final approach off the Rollins Pass road and just before getting into the valley, I had to stop to get a shot of the eastern
entrance to the Moffat Tunnel. The 7 mile long tunnel empties out to the base of the Winter Park ski resort. This used to be a wonderful
way to ski - hop on the Ski Train at Union Station in downtown Denver, enjoy a beautiful ride to Winter Park, ski all day then ski right down
to the train for a relaxing ride back to Denver. Oh it was wonderful!
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