Golden Hour at Ferguson's. The sagebrush are still casting very long shadows as DRGW Mudhen #453 charges upgrade from Ferguson's Trestle, on the westbound run to Chama via Cumbres Pass.
In my view, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is one of the most interesting lines in the country to ride, because of the tremendous variety of scenery you'll experience in the 64 mile journey. You'll climb a long, steep 4% grade up tree-covered mountains topping out at Cumbres Pass, where snow can be found from late September through May. You'll then traverse mountain meadows, and then tip-toe around the contours of the hills surrounding the breath-taking Toltec Gorge. Then finally, you'll transition downhill into a high desert, like what you see in this photo. At the eastern terminus of the line in Antonito, Colorado, nary a tree can be found. Although its a long trip, and maybe too much for little kids, it's worth a day of your time to kick back and enjoy a railroad journey, quite literally the way it was 100 years ago. You won't have to worry about phone calls, e-mails or Facebook. Leave your phone in your suitcase. I said there was nary a tree out here....there's nary a cell tower either. :)
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.
