Moffat Tunnel Road

Moffat Tunnel Road (Gilpin County Road 16, also known as Tolland Road) is a leisurely gravel road going west from Rollinsville. Although its main attraction is the access it provides to the trailheads for Rollinsville (the southern spine of the West Magnolia network), Mammoth Gulch, Rollins Pass East and one of the hiking trailheads for James Peak, it is a pleasant and scenic drive in its own right as it winds its way along South Boulder Creek. Along the way you will pass through the ghost town of Tolland on your way to the east portal of the famous and historic Moffat Tunnel. The Moffat Tunnel started operating in 1928, connecting Denver to the other side of the Continental Divide at Winter Park. Before that time, the route went up through the Needle Eye Tunnel and over Rollins Pass. The Moffat Tunnel is 6.2 miles long and reduced travel time over the Divide from well over two hours to just 12 minutes. It cost $23,972,843 to build, and 28 people died during the construction. It is named after Colorado railroad pioneer David Moffat.