The iconic Eisenhower Tunnel. The spooky Gold Camp Road Tunnel. The historic Moffat Tunnel. You know all there is to know about these famous Colorado structures, but did you know that the Centennial State is also home to some tunnels that are completely natural? Take for instance these beautiful, natural, and rocky tunnels that few people know even exist:
Incorporated in 1883 was that of the old Colorado Midland Railway; Colorado’s first standard gauge railroad that was located over the Continental Divide.
Wikimedia Commons
Running from Colorado Springs to Grand Junction with stops in Leadville and Glenwood Springs, the Midland was once a vital part of the Colorado economy in that it assisted in shipping silver and other valuable ore.
Wikimedia Commons
Like many turn-of-the-century railroads, the Colorado Midland was abandoned in 1918, leaving behind several employees and friends of the line.
Flickr/Gene
While railroads folding is a tale as old as time, the story of the Colorado Midland is different, as it left behind not only stories, old depot buildings, and railroad cars, but also beautiful, all-natural tunnels, like these at Chaffee County Road 371 in Buena Vista…
TripAdvisor/campermom68
Your eyes do not deceive you; you can, in fact, drive through these large, rocky, and historic structures!
Google Maps
…and the old Colorado Midland Trail, which spans 5.5 miles of beautiful scenery and ends at the magnificent Hagerman Tunnel.
TripAdvisor/Joel-Colorado
Also constructed in 1887, the old Hagerman Tunnel sits at an elevation of 11,528 feet, which broke the then-record for the highest tunnel ever built.
Google Maps
Before the summer is over, be sure to treat yourself to a unique Colorado experience via both the Hagerman and Chaffee County Road 371 tunnels!
Flickr/sfgamchick
Wikimedia Commons
Flickr/Gene
TripAdvisor/campermom68
Google Maps
TripAdvisor/Joel-Colorado
Flickr/sfgamchick
Check out even more amazing Colorado tunnels by clicking 6 Awesome Tunnels In Colorado You Need To Drive Through At Least Once.
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