Hiking to the Mine

Just off of Colorado Road 25 near the Red Bridge campground are the remains of cabins that have recently had restoration efforts performed on them. The roofs have been replaced to preserve them for future hikers to enjoy. 

The railroad once ran along the road near the cabins and was a stop along the way. This was the Carr Ranch and was a homestead for decades.

Our friends Ted and Laura told us about a mine that was back along the wagon road that led away from these cabins so we hiked to find the remains of it.

Laura, Ted and Julie getting ready to hike to the mine

We speculated as to the purpose of this structure in the side of the hill and think it was most likely a cold storage area for food storage

Laura and Julie walking up the mine road

The remains of the track support from the mine to the access road

Great views of Round Mountain from the mine site

View looking down the valley

There used to be a sizable support structure that guided loaded carts down the hill to the wagon road

View looking down the remains of the support structure 

Ted checking things out

When you think of a mine entrance you usually think of a square portal hewed out of rock. This mine was accessed thru a split in the rock face

We enjoyed looking in, but didn't try access

Ted and Laura enjoying the day

One last look at the mine before heading back - Great day for a hike. Thanks Ted and Laura for the guidance!

Tunnel Trail bike trip Oct 2019

We enjoy getting together with family members to enjoy a long bike ride, typically on converted railroad rights of way.  This year we headed to southern Illinois to meet my cousin Phillip and his wife Wendy and ride the Tunnel Trail bike trail.

The Tunnel Trail is a former railroad right of way converted to a bike trail. This usage preserves the right of way should future needs prove the need for a railroad again.

On the way we stopped and spent the night at the Giant City State Park. They have a lodge that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corp during the time of the Great Depression. It is a spectacular example of stone and timber construction.

We started one day of our ride in Vienna (Pronounced VI-enna) and rode north 10 miles or so to the long railroad tunnel the trail is named for

Julie and I rode our trikes which make for a comfortable and stable ride

Occasionally you will travel in a culvert under  a highway

Phillip enjoyed his new recumbent and set the pace for speed. He can really move on that  'bent'.

The former railroad bridges now support hikers and bikers

Most of the route travels thru tunnels of trees and keeps you well shaded

Eventually you approach the tunnel

There are bluffs on each side of the tunnel approach

It is downhill most of the way back from here

This is a comfortable machine to ride

These are very pretty trails to ride

The ride thru the bluffs is a wonderful way to see the trail

Over two days we rode the trail from Vienna to the Tunnel and then from Vienna to the Wetlands Center.

We'll save this end of the trail for a future trip

Lots of creeks along the way

Occasionally there are stops along the trail with information and some services

This is the Wetlands Center

Kinda fun to find the former railroad right of way crossing a current railroad right of way

Nice to close the trip by sitting around a camp fire on a crisp autumn evening and  talk about the trip

Bikes all set in place on the rear of their Honda Civic ready for travel home