Historic Trains of the Colorado Rocky Mountains

Arrive at your departure airport and check-in for your flight to Denver. Upon arrival, we meet our fellow travelers and director and begin our guided tour in Colorado’s “Mile High City.” Denver has a colorful past with stories of the gold and silver rush, Native American tribes, brave Army Generals, and indefatigable pioneer women. Denver is a walkable city and, most days are sunny. This evening, at our welcome dinner, we will learn about the highlights of this tour which includes four National Parks. (D)

This morning after breakfast we will travel through the reddish brown foothills known as Flatirons in the Boulder area on our way to Estes Park, a rustic mountain town located near the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Popular with tourists in the 19th century, Estes Park was originally known as “Colorado’s Playground.” Its other claim to fame is the Stanley Hotel, which was the inspiration for Stephen King’s novel, The Shining. The streets are loaded with Western-inspired artwork and architecture. 

Our adventure into Rocky Mountain National Park begins on Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuously paved road in America which winds its way through basins and waterfalls and past the Park’s rocky interior before reaching the summit that is at an elevation of 11,811 feet above sea level. A highlight is Rainbow Curve, where the mountains stand in contrast to the deep, rugged valleys and canyons below. Before we leave, we take a tour through the park with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy learning about everything from alpine survival skills to elk habitats. After our tour, we head back to Denver for a night on our own. (B)

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Denver and head to Grand Junction. This amazing ride takes us straight through the Continental Divide passing interesting small mining towns and famous ski resorts that are nestled amid the ever-present Rockies. Our journey continues to Colorado National Monument which is a protected nature reserve crossed by the historic Rim Rock Highway. This area is of unusual scenic beauty that can be enjoyed directly from your motor-coach window. Constructed in 1923 by the Conservation Corps, this 23-mile-long road blends beautifully with its natural surroundings with 19 scenic spots. Outstanding views include Balanced Rock, a precariously balanced rock, Grand View Overlook, for the most majestic view of the Colorado National Monument, and Artists Point, to name a few. We continue on to Grand Junction which was founded in 1881 and has always served as a commerce center because of the railroads that converge here. Grand Junction is charming, with tree-lined streets packed with shops and restaurants. After checking into our hotel, we will gather for dinner at a local hangout and share our memories of the day. (B,D)

After breakfast, we head out to one of America’s most hidden gems, the Black Canyon, located in Gunnison National Park. The deep gorge we see today was carved out by the Gunnison River over the course of 1.7 billion years. The canyon walls plunge almost 2,000 feet, and the walls of the gorge are so tall that it receives only a few minutes of sunlight every day, giving this canyon its’ name. Today, the river we see is still eroding the landscape making the canyon deeper, even though it is imperceptible to the naked eye. We will see the Black Canyon as we travel along the Southern Rim of the park, where we will stop at several viewpoints to take in the awe-inspiring landscape. A special treat today is to enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the Black Canyon.

Continuing our tour, our next stop is the Museum of the Mountain West, founded by a historical  archeologist, which will take you back to the “Wild Wild West.”  Walking through this living history-styled museum will give us a  glimpse into Colorado’s storied past.  We will walk through a collection of historic log cabins, Western town stores, a gunsmith house, an authentic 1909 House designed by Sears/Montgomery Wards, and other historic buildings, that are set up here.

After our museum tour, we return to Grand Junction for a night on our own to explore this charming western town. (B,L)

After breakfast, we say goodbye to  Grand Junction, and head to Silverton, an old mining town located between the Red Mountain and Molas Pass. After arriving in Silverton we will board the historic Durango-Silverton Narrow Gage Railroad which dates to 1882. On this narrated ride we will learn that this train began as a way to haul gold and silver ore from the San Juan Mountains. Chugging along we are taken back in time and up the mountains with views of the San Juan National Forest as we travel along the Animas River. 

After our train ride, we continue on to Durango where we will check into our hotel. Durango is known as the “Hollywood” of the Rockies with more than 30 films shot here. It is a foodie’s paradise with a startling number of award-winning restaurants. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B)

After breakfast, we travel to Mesa Verde, a special highlight of this tour. Mesa Verde was established as a National Park in 1906, and not surprisingly, was one of the first places in the world to be designated a World Heritage Cultural Site by UNESCO when it was first organized in 1978. The iconic cliff dwellings are amazing and exude an almost spiritual feeling of awe. It is important to recognize that Mesa Verde makes up just a small portion of a  larger and more diverse cultural landscape that extends throughout the region. It is mind-boggling to learn that there are more than 5,000 archeological sites in this area, including some 600 cliff dwellings - many of which are off-limits. 

Tonight we experience dinner on a family-owned ranch amid the history, mountain peaks, and magnificent landscape that is Colorado. (B,D)

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Durango and head to Colorado Springs, home to  30 museums, 20 breweries, tons of restaurants, and a vibrant art scene. Along the way, we will drive through picturesque and rugged landscapes, once traveled by American Pioneers. This ride is a nature lover’s dream, from the jaw-dropping Rockies and San Juan National Forest to the Rio Grande National Forest, — this ride has it all. 

Our day concludes as we check into our hotel in Colorado Springs, known as “Olympic City USA” because it is the home to the U.S. Olympic Committee Headquarters. The city dates to  1871 and boasts a mild climate, plenty of sun, iconic landmarks, and great amenities.  Tonight dinner is on your own to enjoy this amazing city. (B)

After breakfast, we will take the Broadmoor Manitou and Cog Railroad to Pike’s Peak, the legendary symbol of the 1859 Gold Rush. This state-of-the-art cog railway is one of the highest in the world. As we climb 14,115 feet we will see breathtaking views, wildlife, old coal mines, waterfalls, red clay mountain peaks, and Bristlecone Pine trees as we travel through Engleman Canyon, Pike National Park, and Inspiration Point. At the summit, we will have time to take in the view. On a clear day, you can see Colorado,  Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Kansas.

Our final stop of the day is at the Garden of the Gods, home to many unusual geological and ecological rarities that make this excursion unforgettable. Visitors come from the world over to see its massive red rocks soaring out of the ground and wander the trails dotted with unusual rock formations. The visitors center has exhibits that explain this habitat.

Tonight we gather as a small group for the last time for our farewell dinner to celebrate our Colorado adventure. (B,D)

After breakfast, depart to the airport to make your way home with great train experiences and some of the bet mountain view in the world. (B)