Open in App
Upload to Gaia GPS
Please wait - Uploading to Gaia GPS
Alpine Tunnel East
Trail Information
Highlights
Situated near the famous ghost town of St. Elmo and within the San Isabel National Forest, this trail will lead you through an area with some of the most historic and beautiful country that Colorful Colorado has to offer. If turn of the century railroads, mining history, and ghost towns are what you are looking for, you will not be disappointed.
You will travel through the ghost town of Romley which existed as a service town for the Mary Murphy Mine. Romley was also known as the "red town" because all it's buildings were painted red with white trim. It was originally called Murphy's Switch because of the presence of it's railroad siding. With an even more scenic setting, you come to the ghost town of Hancock, with only its log foundations still showing. Hancock served the workers who built the famous Alpine Tunnel. Its main population peak was in the 1880's and 1890's while the tunnel was being built. The train ran through Hancock carrying miners, passengers and supplies. It is said Mark Twain took the ride one time just for the experience.
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
Start your next adventure on Alpine Tunnel East
Upgrade your Membership
Unlock all of the details on every single trail guide.
Start a 7-day Free TrialUploading to Gaia GPS
Share Trail
Trail Navigation
The route mostly follows the old railroad grade as it gains elevation toward the east side of the Alpine Tunnel. For the most part the dirt road is smooth and wide, passing is not an issue. There are no obstacles and the route is suitable for any stock high clearance SUV in good weather.
**A word of caution: This is a popular ATV/UTV route so check your blind curves.**
Trail Reviews
4.7/5 (10 reviews)
Status: Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/24/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On
Road this trail a couple times; to Pomeroy Lakes on Friday and Hancock Lake on Saturday. Very easy trail with lots of potholes and the occasional embedded rocks which keeps your speed down and using your steering wheel. Serves as a great access route to numerous other, more difficult, trails.
.png)
From the Community
Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail
guide
Start Free Trial
Print Trail Guide
Purchase
Community
Recent Updates
By clicking "ACCEPT", you agree to be the terms and conditions of each policy linked to above. You also agree to the storing of cookies on your device to facilitate the operation and functionality of our site, enhance and customize your user experience, and to analyze how our site is used.