Snow Wheeling on Rollins Pass - Colorado

[@yankinga]

In the interest of accuracy, the Moffat Tunnel is alive and well for both rail and water conveyance. Numerous freight trains use the line as does Amtrak's California Zephyr between Chicago, IL and Emeryville, CA. The water tunnel was the original pilot bore for the main tunnel. It is owned by the city of Denver and provides water to both Denver and Englewood, CO. I rode the eastbound Zephyr on 1-28 + 29-22 from Emeryville to Denver. The west end of the tunnel is at the base of the Winter Park ski complex. Amtrak runs a ski train to Winter Park from Denver to during the ski season. The return run of the ski train was dispatched about 20 minutes ahead of my California Zephyr and we followed it through the tunnel and down the Front Range to Denver.

[@austinheinrich6014]

Me and my grandpa have been going up there in his 05 suburban for the past couple summers, he has been going up there since his 30s, and we gave camped in a lot of cool spots and got plenty of stories. It truly is an amazing trail.

[@jiml8594]

I've been up around this area dozens of times back in the 80's and early 90's. I used to go up every weekend. Great camping by the lakes. I heard it's very crowded on weekends now.

[@xClassEdits]

Love to see local videos! Great work.

[@mattstoddart1443]

I did the Stillwater Pass in my Suburban yesterday. Made it the entire 21.6 miles in 2wd. Tomorrow I’m going to do the road from the video. Although I’m Going air down a bit to make the ride more enjoyable. As mentioned in your video…”I get it”

[@namluu]

Great camera work in this video!

[@irishrebel1798]

Trains use the Moffat tunnel every day by the UP BNSF and Amtrak

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Hey buddy! Love that you’re covering Rollins. Just curious, what’s not in operation now? As you know, I’m a railroader and that’s one of the routes I usually cover. The Moffat Tunnel is in operation for rail operation, Union Pacific (the owner), BNSF (trackage rights), Amtrak (trackage rights), and soon, the Rocky Mountaineer Passenger train all go through it. There’s even talk about putting semis on flat railcars and taking them from Denver to Grand Junction (and vice versa) to get some of them off of I70. It’s an absolutely gorgeous route (on a cliff most of the way), and I think you and your lady would love it either by Amtrak or the new luxury train, the Rocky Mountaineer. Anyway, great video! I often think about how rough it was to Railroad on Rollins Pass. Still blows my mind!

[@TrailTraveler]

That's what happens when you use the internet for research

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

@@TrailTraveler I’m surprised one of the trains didn’t roll through while you were there. Then again I usually caught Amtrak while exploring there and they’re currently cut back to a reduced schedule due to COVID. You’ll love Jenny Creek, well the old version of it was better, but the new route isn’t that bad. You should try that next summer!

[@BadCrychta]

I was surprised to see you made it that far, that’s awesome! I tried to drive it a few weeks ago in my older Sierra but I got stuck in a 3’ drift at 10,000 feet. Waited for like an hour with no cell service but luckily someone else was coming up as the sun set! Would love to do it again in the summer or fall!

[@2666loco]

Wouldn't you love to be on a double header 2-6-6-0 up this road! I have 3 models of these locos. Great video of a trail I'll never see. Thanks.

[@hereto246]

Living in Longmont this is one of the trails I take visitors on. I do wish the would re-open the top to connect to the west side. It would be great way to get to Winter Park in the summer. Speaking of summer an lot of this trail is pretty bumpy. Airing down helps but still.... Yankee Doodle lake is a cool place to camp. Th Jenny Creek trail is a fun trail that meets back up at the lake.