MP 232 – 233: The Moffat Tunnel and the Jim Creek Trail
Between mileage posts 232 and 233 are two great places to explore. The first is the
Moffat Tunnel and the second is the National Sport Center for the Disabled (NSCD) Jim
Creek Trail.
Route
U. S. Highway 40
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Mile Marker
232
233
X
434937.87
435602.43
Y
4415976.08
4414603.84
Longitude
-105.761002
-105.753094
Latitude
39.891356
39.879044
What was to become the Moffat Tunnel was the dream and idea of David Moffat of the
Denver, Northwestern and Pacific (DNW&P) railroad. His idea was to build a tunnel
under the Continental Divide and James Peak making the trip from Denver to the Fraser
Valley quicker and safer. (See MP 231-232 – Rollins Pass Road for what was in store for
the train traveler before the Moffat Tunnel.)
This photo is taken from a Kiosk exhibit describing the Moffat Road at Inspiration Point
on the Trough Road west of Kremmling. The Moffat Road started at Utah Junction north
of Denver (today at Pecos and 25th). The original depot remains at Delancey and 15th
Streets and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 2
1
Taken from the Colorado Department of Transportation’s website:
http://apps.coloradodot.info/dataaccess/Highways/index.cfm?fuseaction=HighwaysMain
2
Information on the Moffat Road provide by David Naples and members of
http://moffatroadrailroadmuseum.org/moffatrdmaps.html
MP 232 – 233: The Moffat Tunnel and the Jim Creek Trail (PAW 2012)
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Photo by author - 2011
Once leaving Denver, the Moffat Road went through 33 tunnels (now there are 29
remaining) as it climbed up into the Rocky Mountains. The Moffat Road continued on to
Craig, Colorado but was never built beyond that city. David Moffat died in 1911, but his
dream did not. In 1922, the Colorado state government passed a bill to fund the
construction of the Tunnel. It would take until 1927 for the tunnel to be completed. It
cost $18 million, which was three times more than the expected cost. A higher cost was
the 28 lives lost during the five-year construction project.
Photo provided by and used with permission from the Denver Public Library
After several years of politics and battles between the Denver & Salt Lake (D&SL) and
the Denver & Rio Grande Western (Rio Grande) (D&RGW) Railroads, work was begun
in November 1932 on the Dotsero Cutoff. The Cutoff which was 45 miles long would
begin at the junction at Orestod (Dotsero spelled backwards) near Bond, Colorado. On
MP 232 – 233: The Moffat Tunnel and the Jim Creek Trail (PAW 2012)
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June 15, 1934 the construction was completed on the
cutoff, and the route was complete. The north set of
tracks followed the original Moffat Road to Craig, but the
southern route followed beside the Colorado River to
Dotsero and met the D&RGW which would take it to
Glenwood Springs and on to Salt Lake City. This is the
route that Amtrak follows once it comes out of the Moffat
Tunnel.
There is a pull-off on the west side of US Highway 40
between these two mileage posts that is on top of the
Moffat Tunnel. The site has some historic plaques telling
about the Tunnel and Ski Area. The view of the ski area
and the railroad is a good one. At one time there was an
accessible path from the pull-off area to the walk-ways
into the ski area. These have now been eroded. The two
tunnels can be seen.
Photos taken by the author –
August 2011
The pale green tunnel beside the Moffat Tunnel,
which is labeled Moffat Water Tunnel, was the
original pioneer tunnel. The contractors cut side
bores into the larger tunnel. This allowed for
several areas to be worked on at the same time.
When the construction of the Moffat Tunnel was
finished, the smaller tunnel was used to carry
water under the Divide to supply water to the City
of Denver.
The Moffat Tunnel is 24 feet high, 18 feet wide
and 6.4 miles long. Each portal is covered with a
MP 232 – 233: The Moffat Tunnel and the Jim Creek Trail (PAW 2012)
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canvas door which is part of the ventilation system. Detectors in the track are supposed to
open the doors eight seconds before the train goes in or leaves the portal and then close
after the train has passed. Sometimes the train is through the door before it opens, thus
the canvas, which can be easily replaced. Seeing the train suddenly coming out the tunnel
is truly exciting.
As you stand at the Moffat Tunnel viewing area, the mountain in front of you is part of
the Winter Park Ski Area. Their history is long and rich. Much has already been written
about it. Several excellent books and internet sites are available. The author’s favorite
resources are Grand County Historical Association Journal Volume IV, Number 1 dated
March 1988: 1859-1950 Skiing in Middle Park and Volume IX, Number 1 dated
December 1989: Mountain, A Dream, A Train – Winter Park. These booklets are
available at their museums as well on line
at http://www.grandcountymuseum.com/GiftShop.htm
There is also information about Winter Park’s ski history
at http://www.coloradoskihistory.com/areahistory/winterpark.html
Note the skiers.
Photo provided by and used with permission from the Denver Public Library
The second place to explore is found at the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Winter Park
Outdoor Center. Turn east at the stop light which is opposite the entrance to the Winter
Park Resort and the Vintage Hotel. Here is a trail that can be enjoyed by the family no
matter their age or abilities. The trail was built by 600 volunteers for the National Sports
Center for the Disabled. The trail is part boardwalk and packed soil. The loop trail is
about a mile and half long. It is broken into two sections. The first is the Discovery Trail
MP 232 – 233: The Moffat Tunnel and the Jim Creek Trail (PAW 2012)
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which is part of the loop trail and is easily wheel chair accessible. The second part of the
trail is called the Challenge Trail. This trail has a natural material surface and has some
challenging areas for persons with mobility impairments. The area’s restrooms are open
after the snow melts and closes once the snow falls. This special place has benches along
the trail and there are accessible picnic areas and fishing ponds.
Photos by author – August 8, 2011
MP 232 – 233: The Moffat Tunnel and the Jim Creek Trail (PAW 2012)
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