The Shelf Road to Mt McClellan

Mt McClellan lies above the Santiago Mine. It was accessed by the narrow gauge Argentine Central Railroad.  Upon its completion to the top in 1906, it was the highest altitude adhesion track railroad in the U.S.. The "road" to the Waldorf Mining District is the remains of the old train grade.  Look closely in the background to see the lower part of the road.

Luckily we didn't meet anyone, since the road is barely 1 car wide in places.  The tracks were salvaged in 1920.

What we did after Santiago?

A clue to our next adventure. Not one that I think we are likely to do again....

By the way the white is the remnants of a summer hail storm.

End of the Holiday Weekend..........

Really just an opportunity to show a gratuitous photo of our Jeep at the Santiago Mine!

Back to the High Country: Santiago Mine at Waldorf

Still catching up on our summer adventures in the High Country.  All impassibly snowed in now until June 2011.

Back to the Waldorf Mining District to the Santiago Mine, still an active claim. 

The Old Stamp Mill

Mine Entrance

Bridging the Mine to Mill Gap.....

Inside the Stamp Mill

Rifle Sight Notch, Rollins Pass Road

Rollins Pass was at one time the highest railroad traversed pass in the U.S.  For more on Rollins Pass click here.

As you look at the photo above, trains exited a now collapsed tunnel, circled the mountain, and crossed the trestle heading east

2010 Pine Beetle Update

On a late summer trip to West Rollins Pass we saw the beginnings of the clear cutting that will be necessary to prevent forest fires in the infested areas.  The peak of the Pine Beetle attack is over, but that leaves tons of dead wood.

Until we venture to the High Country to take snow pix, we'll catch up on our summer off road adventures.

Calendar 2010: November

A look at the ruins of the "Crest House" Restaurant.  Destroyed in 1979 by an exploding Propane tank. Orignally constructed between 1940-41.

Calendar 2010: How did I forget October?

Somehow, the October calendar Offering was never posted, so here we go:

A last view of fall colors at Mt Evans......

Thinking About Winter

No snow for us down here yet.  But I'm already thinking about winter, and looking forward to it!

From January 2010.

Spiders for Halloween

This Halloween some of the neighbors put up some very inventive decorations. This spider was so impressive, I turned around while on my way to work and went home to grab the camera.