RV Trip to the High Mountains

Day 5 - September 26, 2018

Chama & Cumbres

This was our first free day of the trip. No travel. No big events. Just time to enjoy the scenery and perfect weather. Noah and I got moving first and set out to explore the RV park and the private narrow gauge railroad the owner is building. Noah ran everywhere we went.

Our perfect parking spot at Rio Chama.

We set out to explore the park

This is the grade of the unfinished railroad

The finished portion ends just across that next road.

Current end-of-track

The Rio Chama was very low. Lower than I've ever seen it.

End-of-track looking north

Exploring the railroad.

There's an impressive amount of well-constructed track here.

The other end-of-track

Rio Chama office

Nice touch

After exploring the park, I recorded Train 216 heading east up to Cumbres.

We disconnected the RV and drove up to Boxcar Cafe on Terrace Ave for lunch.

After lunch we drove up to Cumbres so I could show everyone some of my favorite spots.

Almost to Cumbres. Looking down into the Chama Valley.

A cut of boxcars left at the Pass.

Cumbres Siding is now disconnected at both ends.

Looking east towards Cumbres Loop / Tanglefoot Curve

Attempt at Art

Train 215 climbing Cumbres Loop

Car Inspectors House

Depot/Section House and Steve's truck.

Steve Forney was in town and joined us on the Pass to visit for a while. It was great to see him.

Our ride.

While Noah took a nap with Michele, the rest of us explored the area.

One of my objectives was to locate the site of the Lively store/gas station. I thought this was it at first look. But, it's not on the old Highway 17.

Not sure what this was. Maybe cabins for hunters?

I'm fairly certain this the Lively store. It's facing the old Highway 17, is the right size,

and has a slight indication of a pull-through/circular driveway.

This is located behind the Car Inspectors House and due west of the snow shed.

Google Map

Could definitely be a circular driveway.

Old soda can. This was produced by the Columbine Beverage Co. in Denver, but I couldn't figure out its age.

Steve inspects... something...

View from the front on the ol' Lively store.

Ol' Highway 17 curves off. It's swings back to left around that bend and then crosses under the railroad.

Cumbres Pavilion

Snow shed

Remnants of a stock pen

End of the wye tail

There was a timber mill here once upon a time

Steve's truck

Steve gave George a ride back over the hill to the RV.

Heading down the hill to Chama.

Cumbres Native

Not a bad way to spend my 43rd birthday.

 

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