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.
After parking and walking for about a mile, I saw the Needles Eye Tunnel across the valley for the first time. It was a seemingly
impossibly long distance to walk but at the same time, the image of a steam-powered locomotive chugging up that incline made it all
seem worthwhile.
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