(a) Stroll through the cinders - a photo on Flickriver

... along the right of way on the D,SP&P RR (Denver, South park & Pacific Railroad) grade west to the summit of Boreas (the Greek God of Winds) Pass to Breckenridge down the D,SP&PP RR nearer the Continental Divide. Of course the RR construction took some more time and grading to Fairplay, Alma and the London mines before grading down Platte River Station, down Trout Creek to Buena Vista and Leadville to divide and end up at Nathrop, Alpine, Mt. Princeton, Iron City, St.Elmo, Romley and Hancock before the daft campaign over Alpine to Gunnison and points west of the Continental Divide. They always built with a gleam in their eye and without any common sense in their heads. Cast a lasting glance at this shot of the grade "Going 'round the Mountain," because this weather is as pleasant as it ever gets in the Colorado Rockies. I've picnicked with a friend, card table, chairs and all, out on the point up the tracks. Today, I am lucky to snag this shot without bodies in the way. And now, for the life of me, I can't remember if this was a tourista reconstruction. If so, they did a masterful job of scattering coal cinders all over convincingly, just as I would have expected them. Cinders were blown everywhere as the teakettles struggled up the grade. Here the county road opts to roll over a hill to the right that the RR could not negotiate.

I already posted aspen shots but this was on my second trek into the Rockies for the fall color. It was after we left the Como Cemetery that we continued up the road that mostly described the old grade.. The grove floor was carpeted with falling orange leaves shed by the aspen in the breeze, luxurious.

Edward had his sights set on Como, originally the D,SP&P RR (Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad) division point (one route up Boreas to Breckenridge and one to Fairplay in South Park). The town was named for Lake Como (little resemblance), and then up Boreas Pass, expecting aspen. As usual, his mind wandered, well... most of what's there anyway. We ended up at the Como Cemetery even after I told him he wouldn't have much luck because they were already dead anyway. I found the aspen grove still in good color at the cemetery and in fact, we found decent aspen groves up Boreas. Perhaps you are familiar with THIS South Park instead of the cartoon?

There won't be another weekend of aspen color this year. Snow is on the way for according to the "Lie on the Big Eye"; there was a dusting of snow like powdered sugar high up on the north facing slope of Mount Silverheels sheltering Boreas Pass above us. Next the autumn focus will be on the flats down below.

Taken in: United States / Colorado / Peabodys (show map)

Taken on: September 21, 2012

Tags:

Stroll Through the Cinders D

SP&PP RR Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad Como Boreas Pass Grade Aspen Pine Eddie South Park County Colorado Rockies RockyPix Rocky Mountain Pix W. Michel Kiteley f/16 1/80th/sec 24mm 24-70mm f/2.8 f/2.8G Nikkor Normal-Zoom Hand-held

Sets appears in: • Colorado mountain railroads

Groups appears in: • Colorado! • Nikon more » • RUSTY and CRUSTY • Ghost Towns • Rocky Mountains • Forgotten • Railroads • Mines & Mining • Landscape Photos • Mountain Views • Tranquility • Historical Artifacts • Rural American West • Highpoints • Mountains and beauties • Mountain • Fall Colors • Landscape photography • GhostRails • North American Mountains • Colorado Images • Rural America - (Opted out of 30/60) • Traintrack • Nikon DSLR Users • Colorado Scenery • The Last Best Place • Nikon DSLR 中文版 • Nikon D40/xD70/sD80/D90/D200/D300/D700/ D3/s/X • Nature and Landscapes • The Road Less Traveled • Landscapes 101 (Unlimited) • Natural Scenery • Colorado...Colorful...Cosmopolitan • country • Rural View (Nature, People, Places) • Colorado - through the lens • Country Magazine • Aspen Trees • Small Town America • RAW Contrast Control • Coloroddities • Nikon Full Frame Cameras. • Nikon Digital Learning Center • Abandoned and Disused Trains • Colorado country roads • Colorado Historical Group • Colorado Railroad Museum • Railroad Photographer USA/Canada • Trains, Rails and Railroad Equipment • Front Range Colorado Nature & Trail • Real West • Countryside Photography Moderated Group...(P1 - A1) • Colorado Official • Colorado Mining • All Aboard!! The Train • Un-enhanced American West • Big Blue Marble Scenic and Nature • HDR One Magazine « less

Stats: 3,142 views / 8 comments

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: