Rocky Ford enterprise., 1904-10-07

Tho lin. has been open to Mammoth
since June. The railway after leaving
Denver and passin. ATgo runs up the
fertile valley OF Ralaton creek. with its
prosperous farms and truck gardens:
thence by u series of Wide curves. To
Ccal creek. beyond which IL commences
to climb the eastern face Of tho front
range. affording unclunilcd views oi
III. vast plain N hci.h, iH steadily
gained.
By a Icri-N OF skiiifui engineering
fcata and numerous tunnels. u croshra
tho high ridge lying between Coal creek
and South Boulder creek. furnishing
numerous bir,iscyc views Of the latter
hundreds OF feet below. Eventually tho
road gets practically on n level with
South Boulder creek and nt water level
passes Pactoius. Roiiinsviilc and event
unlly reaches Mammoth in Boulder
park, which has hitherto been the ter
minus OF the road.
The road runs some distance mp
South Boulder creek above Mammoth.
then turns to the fight for milo or 80.
then to the left for similar distance.
then again to the right. constituting "a
series OF huge zigzass along the noun
tain side. but every yard traversed In
upward. Ininin. height steadily ut
minimum grades and maximum curves.
Every diversion of the track. right or
left. gives higher birdscyc view OF
Mammoth and Boulder park below. un-
I'll new turns and pine woods obscure
them. and timber line Is reached and
passed and n region Is entered from
which the snow never entirely disap-
pears. lingering In isolated patches
from winter to winter.
Some little distance to the south the
snow-crowncd summit OF James peak
looms up 1898 feet above sea level.
while n similar distance to the north
is the pointed cone OF Arapahoc peak.
1880 feet altitude. with numerous
other peaks which are either nameless
or have names not generally known.
Nor must mention be omitted OF the
numerous blue tarns OF unknown depth,
the beds OF ancient glaciers, which are
passed en- route.
Finally, the summit In reached. ii 600
feet above sea level. said to be the high
est standard-gaugc track In the world.
II Is difficult readily to realize that this
wild, treeless place. from which dozens
of snowy mountain peaks are visible.
Is now within few hours railroad ride
from Denver.
But possibly the greatest scenic treat
OF the whole trip is the first view of
Middle park as the summit Is passed
and tho descent OF the western slope
Is commenced.
The engineering OF the road in its
descent to Arrowhead is equal to that
on the eastern side of the continental
divide. though not so strenuous. Ar
rowhead itself is located among the
pines.
The following resolutions were signed
by every visitor on the train ana
handed to Mr. Moffat:
whereas. the undersigned have this
day had the opportunity OF inspecting
the line OF the Denver, Northwestern &
Pacific railway DIETER known as the
'Moffat roadO from Denver to Arrow
head, its present western terminus.
distance of seventy-seven miles;
Resolved. that we hereby express
our appreciation of
Il. The wonderful engineering skill
displayed in the building of such road;
"2. The substantial and permanent
character OF its construction;
"3. The magnificent and unequalled
scenic attractions of said road. which
will make 1t the future favorite tourist
route to and from Denver, and
-. Its immense import and future
benefit to northwestern Colorado in
general and Denver in particular COM
mercially and otherwise;
Resolved further, that We hereby
record our highest appreciation of the
courage, sagacity and public spirit OF
David II. Moffat in building such road,
which will be a monument to his mem
ory for generations to come"