Trout Lake RR Trestle, Trout Lake, CO

August 3, 2018 - Trout Lake RR Trestle, Trout Lake, CO

If you are in Telluride, Trout Lake is a short drive (15 minutes) South on State Route 145. We actually drove in from the South side from Rico to Lizardhead Pass and accessed Forest Service Route 626.  Lizardhead Pass has a paved pull-out with an informational board and restrooms.  Also, a very informative 'Galloping Goose' / D&RG RR information board is about 100 feet East of the pull out, which tells of the accessible sections of the railway in the Telluride area. Trout Lake Road (626) starts directly north of the information board.  Along this dirt road is a number of rv boomdocking sites that looked very inviting.




Photo courtesy of the web

The lake is natural, but it was dammed to increase the size to serve as a reservoir for the Ames power plant about 5 miles away. Ames Station is the World's First Generating Station. Wow!

 

In the past, the Rio Grande Railroad tracks circled the lake, running close to the northeastern shoreline.  A 28 car capacity siding was located here along with a standard 50,000 gallon water tank.  The tank along with Bridge 51-A (trestle) still stands today.  According to research, the water tank and trestle are two of the best preserved remaining Rio Grande RR artifacts.

 

 

    

The backdrop for this trestle is breathtaking and the trestle itself is so amazing that it is still standing in all its glory.   Because of the harsh weather it has been refurbished throughout the years.

Can you spot the chipmunk?

Even though we had sprinkles of rain throughout the day, the air was crisp and the scenery doesn't get any better.

San Juan Mountains

“What day is it?” asked Pooh.
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.”  
A.A. Milne

 

 

Until our next adventure - Enjoy your 'today'!