Moffat Tunnel Road

3/5 (14 reviews)
Rollinsville, Colorado (Gilpin County)
Last Updated: 12/27/2020

Trail Information

Highlights

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.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

3/5 (14)
Open
Rated 3/5
Visited: 10/21/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Drove on the trail to get onto Mammoth Gulch trail, very smooth dirt road, had some nice views of the sunrise on the mountains to the west. Any vehicle can drive it
2300
Open
Rated 3/5
Visited: 09/04/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

This is just an easy trail back to the tunnel but it is very busy. There are a lot of people on this road due to the trail at the end. Backtracked on this trail in order to get on the Mammoth Gulch trail.
Open
Rated 3/5
Visited: 08/12/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Good dirt road to get to other trials. Any vehicle could drive it.
Open
Rated 3/5
Visited: 07/24/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Nice views but just a well maintained dirt road. We checked out the east portal of the Moffat tunnel after coming down Mammoth gulch.
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 05/01/2021

Beautiful day for a beautiful drive. Road is clear and 99% dry. Beautiful views. We even saw a moose! There was a full range of vehicles at the end of the road (Moffat Tunnel), including a nice BMW. Most vehicles would have no problem on this bumpy, dirt road.

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