×
|
Rate it:
Tags:
Level:
Length: 15 mi (24.1 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Lariat
Elevation: +581/ -725 ft
Total: 35 riders
Mountain Biking Hagerman Tunnel
#311 of 1,392 mountain bike trails in Colorado
The dirt road makes a nice warmup and gives you an opportunity to soak up the high alpine scenery. If you can't bring youself to ride it, simply drive up as far as your vehicles clearance will allow. Normally, I don't get too excited about old railroad beds, but this one has reverted to true singletrack, the scenery is spectacular, even by Colorado standards, and the occasional interpretive signs are fun to read. You even get a couple of alpine lakes. This is the best place to soak up the environment, get some exercise, and get an interesting history lesson all at the same time.
First added by John Fisch on Oct 13, 2007. Last updated May 11, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: yes
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Go south of Leadville on US24 for 3.5 miles and turn West on 300. Turn Right on CR 5. Turn left at 1.9miles (follow the Turquoise Lake sign). After another 3.5 miles, the road splits. Take the left split and park and ride (you can also drive further up the dirt road and park at one of the pullouts further up--this will shorten your ride and get you to the singletrack quicker.) Trails Illustrated maps 109, 126, and 127 can be helpful. Combine with a loop around Turquoise Lake for an epic ride.
Beautiful, historic ride with stunning alpine views. This was one of the most enjoyable rides I've been on in years. The trail follows the 1887 Colorado Midland RR's original route over the Continental Divide. The railroad was steep and featured sharp switchbacks to reach Hagerman Tunnel at an elevation of 11,530'. This is not your typical rail bed ride. Years of deterioration have created a great blend of technical singletrack that includes rock gardens. The downhill ride is a blast. Be careful though, I managed to crash pretty good on the way down. Thank God for armor over my knees and a helmet. That rock my head landed on would not have been very forgiving...
A 1100 foot curved trestle that was part of one of the switchbacks to reach the tunnel. The remnants of the trestle, snow sheds and telegraph lines dating to the 1880s are still visible today.
The Colorado Midland RR was abandoned by 1920. Go ride a beautiful piece of Colorado history!
I added a few historic images for anyone that is interested. Enjoy!
| Thank