The Rocky Mountains

The snow was still thick on the ground as I left Denver - to travel once more in Reserved Coach.

The train was quieter this time and I had both seats to myself so still nursing the remnants of my cold I settled in to enjoy the scenery.

We began immediately the steep climb in to the Rocky Mountains that start on the edge of Denver.  

Denver is also known as the Mile-High City because its official elevation is 5,280 feet.  Our climb will take us up to 6900 feet just below the summit at about 7200 feet.

Because of all the snow the scenery is absolutely breathtaking and the urge to get on Ski's is almost overwhelming.

We negotiate “Big 10 Curve” on the approach to Arvada, a Denver suburb. Winds can be so strong in this area that hopper cars welded to the rails and filled with sand sit on an adjacent track to act as a windbreak.

Coal Creek Canyon is home to 2,323 residents and is on our right as we pass over a small bridge. Nearby Central City was known as the“Richest Square Mile on Earth” when gold reserves were discovered

here in 1859. Tracks can be seen far below as we wind between the front range of the Rockies.

Progress is slow - the heavy snow fall means that a set of points need to be switched manually so a guard is dispatched on foot to do the honours.

Our carriage attendant then explains about the 'slide sense detector' that is put in place alongside the tracks to alert the driver to anything stuck/falling or crossing the line - this has been activated by the snow fall and automatically slows the train.

We push on through a series of Tunnels - the main one being the Moffatt tunnel which is 6.2 miles long.  On the other side of the tunnel we reach Winter Park Ski resort and can see the ski runs all the way down to the side of the tracks. 

This is the “icebox of America,” with winter temperatures of -50°F. Its claim to be the highest incorporated town in the U.S. at 9,000 ft. is disputed by Alma, Colorado, at an elevation of 10,361 ft.  The area

also has abundant cross-country skiing opportunities.



Glenwood Springs

is located at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers, a unique location that sees high recreational use by locals, visitors and commercial outfitters alike. Here are six

world-class ski resorts within a 60-mile radius, quite a few noted mountain bike trails, whitewater rafting numerous backpacking trails and Glenwood Caverns, a geological marvel. Doc Holliday, the Wild

West legend of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, spent the final months of his life here.

As we begin our descent the snow fades away and we clear the Rockies and cross into Utah.  Here the landscape changes dramatically once again - this is known as The Wasatch Range - Wasatch in Ute means "mountain pass" or "low pass over high range."

My pictures do not do it justice, the large flat topped ranges shone majestically in the sunlight in stark contrast to the very flat land that extends all the way to Salt Lake City.

Ruby Canyon is a popular destination for rafting, taking its name from the red sandstone cliffs lining the canyon walls. A popular tourist attraction is the sign “Utah Colorado” painted on the wall at the

border between the two states (although I could not find this). Erosion via wind and water has hewn

smooth textures and fascinating shapes in the striking red stone over eons of time.

Our last stop before Salt Lake City is Provo which 

hosts Brigham Young University and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints largest missionary training center(more on that later). Third largest city in Utah, it lies in the Utah Valley at an elevation of 4,500 ft. The Wasatch Range towers over the city. This is home to the Osmond family. Stephen Covey, the famous author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, also resides in Provo.

This segment of my journey covered 570 miles and took another 15 hours.