We start our future rail excursion in South Fork where we are 300 rail miles from Denver and 21 miles Southeast of our destination of Creede. Along the line are mileposts that will increase all the way to Creede. Subtract 300 miles from the posted number and you have an idea as to the distance we have traveled. Speeds will not be over ten miles per hour so expect about a two and half hour run.

Leaving the station on Highway 160, we are located where from South Forks founding to 2001 a lumber mill existed. It supplied ties and lumber for the construction and maintenance of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway. As railway needs decreased more standard sized lumber was cut and many of the valley homes are constructed from lumber cut here…

Entering the valley, we can see the cliffs to the east that were formed during the past Ice Age. Below are the meadows that are the play area of Deer, Elk and sometimes Moose. We are entering Elk Creek Ranch, which is now a housing subdivision along with minimal cattle operations.

The Rio Grande cuts back toward us, usually during the summer month’s fisherman and rafters can be seen working their way along the river. This stretch of the Rio Grande is considered one of the best for fly-fishing in Colorado. Lazy rafting, during the warm summers, is one of the most pleasurable activities in the area.

We now approach and pass through Masonic Park, created at the of the turn of the century ( 1900 that is ) it was and still is a quiet get away from the very busy activities of the valley. Summer weekend activities and cookouts usually abound hosted by the Masons and their Eastern Star ladies.

Again our rail path narrows, squeezed by the mountains and the Rio Grande. You may notice the mountains to the east are far more rugged than the more rounded hills to the west.

Watch for a green bridge to the right, this 1900’s period bridge is the last original roadway bridges left over this section of the river. The shade tree grove next to the bridge is a popular gathering place for picnickers and locals. Wedding Parties have been spotted there numerous times.

We crawl along the sides of the cliffs in a cut that was constructed without machines, just the experience of the builders and their explosives, picks & shovels and aided by an occasional mule team.

The highway is out of sight a hundred feet above us. The mountains crests on the east side tower about 2,200 feet above us, where as the rounder milder looking hills to the west start their climb to over 11,500 foot elevation. The mountains just north of Creede tower to over 13,200 ft

As we leave this cut, we approach a Forest Service campground, the only one to be along the train tracks. Barking dogs and hand waving children usually greet us. The hand waving suddenly stops and ears are covered when the engineer whistles the next crossing. Please wave back, they love it….

At the far north end of the campground is a docking area that is used for loading and unloading boats and rafts.

We enter the next wooded area, it is a large stand of Cottonwoods that became a rest spot on the road to Creede. This has now developed into Cottonwood Resort including Cabins, Rv’s, Horse rides and Lodging.

At the north end of the Resort was another turn-around "Y" to allow engines to be redirected for the return trip, this was removed in the ?1940’s?.

The 1883 End of line was just past the station, about at the next dirt road crossing. There was lodging, and large loading platforms and cattle pens here until the line was extended into Creede in 1889.

To the left is the entrance into the 4UR Ranch and mining area. The Ranch was the playground of William Jackson Palmer the founder and first president of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway. The wealthy and Powerful of Denver spent many summers here to avoid the summer heat of Denver. Large hot springs feed the resorts pools and hot tubs supplying not only relaxation during the cool Summer evenings but the springs also supply heat for the many cold winter nights. The resort is still in business, even though the main buildings burned in an unfortunate fire in 19XX. Some of the mine buildings still stand, despite the fact that the mine has been quiet since 19??

After passing the siding on the west side, we approach the next bridge and will pass through the "GAP".

This is a narrow gauge wood bridge that was upgraded with additional pilings and a wider deck to allow the far heaver standard gauge trains to pass over. We are at 8460 feet and we have climbed 260 feet since South Fork, 12 miles ago, we have been on a .4% climb to this elevation.

In the ?1920’s? it as proposed that a Dam be placed in the narrow point of the gap, creating a lake that would flood the valley beyond and the high water mark would be at the south end of Creede. Thankfully, this did not happen. Although the Farmers in the San Luis Valley could have gladly used the much needed irrigation water.

We hear the whistle working to warn the road traffic of our arrival at the next highway crossing, expect it to sound more with short blasts to warn live stock, for this is open range we are approaching.

We are going to pass through Wasson Resort and another highway crossing. From this point the climb rate will almost double, expect the train to slow and the working noise of the engine to increase.

Looking ahead, we can see the hills and mountains to the north of Creede, the peaks reach over 14,000 ft.

We are now at 8660 feet and have climbed another two hundred feet in six miles since Wagon-Wheel-Gap, a .6% climb. We end the line at Creede at an elevation of 8800 feet a 140-foot climb from Wasson in 2 miles, this is a 1.4% climb. Overall, the climb has been ½%, a very mild climb, especially when compared to a section on the narrow gauge portion of La Veta pass that approached 4%

Approaching the city, we cross the last small river and than to our right children or the locals playing baseball at the large city park may greet us.

Our pace slows to a crawl across the last highway crossing then into the rail yards of Creede. In a little over two hours we have traveled back 120 years into a very historic town. As the Professor found out, steam can make a fine time machine. See you in several hours for our return back to the future.

1) I use both west and left interchangeably same with right and east. Looking in the direction of travel from South Fork to Creede, these terms are interchangeable. The rail line runs truly more Northwest on an over all heading of about 310 degrees. Locals have always simplified terms and referred to the river as North-South

2) National Historical Site - The Wagon Wheel Gap Route is a registered historical site recognized by both the State of Colorado and National Government. This protection guarantees that the historical significance, construction methods and design of buildings and other construction will remain as it was in the 1800’s.