Trip Planner: USA / Colorado / Grand County / Winter Park / Moffat Tunnel West Portal

Moffat Tunnel West Portal, Winter Park

3.7

#19 of 25 in Things to do in Winter Park

Landmark · Hidden Gem · Tourist Spot

The Moffat Tunnel is a railroad and water tunnel that cuts through the Continental Divide in north-central Colorado. Named after Colorado railroad pioneer David Moffat, the tunnel's first railroad traffic passed through in February 1928.
The Moffat Tunnel finally provided Denver with a western link through the Continental Divide, as both Cheyenne, Wyoming, to the north and Pueblo to the south already enjoyed rail access to the West Coast. It follows the right-of-way laid out by Moffat in 1902 while he was seeking a better and shorter route from Denver to Salt Lake City. The water tunnel and the railroad tunnel parallel each other; the water tunnel delivers a portion of Denver's water supply.
The eastern portal is about 50mi west of Denver in the Front Range, about 10mi west of the town of Rollinsville at. The West Portal is near the Winter Park Resort ski area at. The railroad tunnel is high, wide, and long. The apex of the tunnel is at above sea level. The tunnel has a gradient of 1 in 125 (0.8%).

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Moffat Tunnel West Portal reviews

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42 reviews

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4.1

By sskroll

We were on a train that went through the tunnel ad it kind of surreal to be in the dark for 6.2 miles but a great experience as it is the only way you can go through the tunnel. more »
By cejc1

The Moffat Tunnel is a great place to see freight and passenger trains go into or come out of the mountain tunnel. You can feel the spirit of the west here. more »
By Lesley R

Had yet another brilliant three days at this site as usual site spotless toilet and showers hot and clean Excellent staff very friendly and really helpful Will definitely return again more »

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Google

By Nickolas Reboot

I love this Because it's so Amazond

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By G. Kunkel

Cool old tunnel. One cannot get close to it as there is a warning siren that goes off and tells you to get away from the tracks. Amtrak is west bound around 9am and east bound around 4pm. The new ski train runs January through March on weekends. There is a heated platform that lets passengers off right at the base area.

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By Tampa Bay Area Railfan Productions

For railfans, this is a neat place. Union Pacific route with BNSF trackage rights trains. About 10-20 UP trains, 5-10 BNSF trains, and 2 amtrak. Expect about 7-10 trains a day with some days being busier.

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By Alan Bender

The tunnel was dark just as it was advertised.

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By James Graham

Great Spot, historical significance., Crowded trailhead.

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