Train travel has always fascinated me from childhood and I was very fortunate in having had the opportunity to travel in luxury comfort on the California Zephyr. The Amtrak’s train from Chicago to San Francisco. A journey scheduled for 51 hours and 20 minutes. The California Zephyr is said to be one of the most scenic travels in North America as it runs abreast through the Nebraska Plains to Denver; climbing the American Rockies passing the snow-capped Sierra Nevada to Salt Lake City, and then through Reno and Sacramento into Emeryville in San Francisco.
However our journey was from Lincoln in Nebraska to Glenwood Springs in Colorado; almost a 14 hour run passing Denver in Colorado. Glenwood springs is a famous holiday destination, so named after its hot springs which now has been converted into a large warm-water swimming pool. The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park are new additions for tourism, incorporating the breathtaking limestone formations in two caves of different ages.
The journey started just after midnight when we got to our seats in the dark assisted by the train conductor as the other travelers were in deep slumber; we too had no alternative but to catch some sleep reclined on the fully adjustable seat.
Denver was reached by the early hours, just breaking the dawn. Much of the travelers departed and the train did have a long layover as the crew also had a routine changeover. The journey from Denver to Glenwood Springs through the Rockies is a marvelous experience and for the railway, a definite challenge in laying such a track through craggy land.
I have been on the Canadian part of the Rocky Mountains before and the significance on the American section of the Rocky Mountains is that this section is much greener and the land itself is very much in use while the Canadian section is more rugged and barren.
A glass hooded observation coach is located towards the center of the train to enjoy the scenic beauty of the passing landscape. This has common seating for travelers to take turns to enjoy the pass through the Rockies and other views. The train snaked through multiple tunnels and high embankments on an average speed up the Rockies to reach the famous ski-town; the Fraser-Winter Park Colorado. It was now springtime and off-season but was with a significant snow cover due to its high altitude.
Scenic Rockies
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Fraser Winter Park Ski Station
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| Discarded ski used as a significance to the location. |
Moorlands and Recreational Fishing
The climax of the journey came when it was announced over the public address system that everyone should get back to their allocated seat as the train would be reaching the longest tunnel on the line which took almost 10 minutes to pass. This being a safety regulation and thereby no doubt the climax of the journey for us.
The tunnel is called the ‘Moffat Tunnel’, after David Moffat the person who spearheaded its construction. It cuts through the Continental Divide and was a fascination no sooner the aspect of the Continental Divide was to be seen. The waterways that were flowing towards us before entering the tunnel are now flowing with us once outside of the tunnel. We are now on the other face of the Rockies. Thus the Rocky is named the Continental Divide of the North American Continent. Before the Moffat tunnel was constructed the railway had to climb the Rollins Pass on a very steep and unsafe gradients. Work on the 6.2 mile [10 km] tunnel commenced in 1922 and the first train passed through it in 1928.
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| Maffat Tunnel and the old Rollings Pass |
Travelling along waterways leading to the Colorado River, passing moorlands graced by cattle, horses and Lama we reach Glenwood Springs after a journey of almost 14 hours. It was to be a bright and sunny mid-day in Glenwood Springs.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
The park sits on the mountain overlooking Glenwood at an altitude of 7100 ft. Its limestone cave system was discovered in 1800. However the caves were opened to the public only in 1895. They were closed on the onset of WW1 in 1917 and are said to be the first such caves to have been lit by electric bulbs. It is interesting to note that some of the ancient bulbs that Thomas Alva Edison patented are still retained to amuse the visitor. The caves were reopened in 1999 with the ownership transferred. Today a set of gondolas have replaced the motor bus ride up which was initially by horse back.
Only a limited number of visitors were permitted in a cave tour at one time due to the limited space for people to pass and the need to maintain the humidity within and for the safety of the visitor. Therefore the long wait for the cave tour had to be compensated. As a result additional amusement were introduced by the year 2005. Additions of an Alpine Coaster zip-ride, a giant power screaming swing and 4 D Theater became major attractions adding to the caves which apparently turned out the Iron Mountain be called the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
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| Glenwood Spring turned in to a large warm water swimming pool and water tunnels |
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| Gondolas to go up the Iron Mountain |
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| Fearsome rides on the giant screaming swing |
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| Cave Brain |
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| Cave Bacon |
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| Stalagmite |
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| Stalactites and Stalagmites |
However our journey was from Lincoln in Nebraska to Glenwood Springs in Colorado; almost a 14 hour run passing Denver in Colorado. Glenwood springs is a famous holiday destination, so named after its hot springs which now has been converted into a large warm-water swimming pool. The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park are new additions for tourism, incorporating the breathtaking limestone formations in two caves of different ages.
