Colorado Vacation - 2004

Day 2 -  More Off-Roadin' With Pop

Friday, August 27th

Hancock Ghost Town, Hancock Pass, Alpine Tunnel, Palisades

Seeing as how dad and I are early risers, we started off Friday morning trying to decide just where we wanted to go. After much debate, we decided on Hancock Pass and then over to the Alpine Tunnel. I had been reading about these for years, and had never gotten the opportunity to take these routes. 

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 (click thumbnails for full size picture)

Off we go to the ghost town of Hancock, Colorado. The route starts off on fairly decent county roads. Nothing too hairy, but high clearance is still a good idea.	The backcountry is pockmarked with old, abandoned mines. This area had many productive silver and gold mines during its heyday.
Most of the mines were dynamited to seal the entrances, some had metal gates installed. I did see a couple up near the pass that didn't appear to have any blocking at all.	This is one of the old rail bridges. The road bypasses this bridge, is doesn't appear very sturdy. For the most part, the road follows the old rail bed.
An old building up the hill from the left end of the railway bridge.	An often photographed mining structure. Usually, the pictures you see are of the other side of the building.
Another building just off the road in the same area as the bridge.	Most county roads are built along routes originally used as railroad beds. This section is fairly nice, with an occasional washout section here and there.
Here's Dad, walking back to the Explorer, trying to look innocent after knocking over the building in the background. I told him not to mess with it.	This entire meadow was once the site of the town of Hancock, Colorado. All that remains is one partial building. Timbers and other artifacts are scattered all about the site.