854 D&RGS Millwood Ute ~ Chasing the Rails

PLEASE BE FIRE SAFE.. WE ARE DRY DRY DRY.. Thank You, Have Fun.

Eight in a series of caches called "Chasing the Rails" of The Rio Grande Southern Railroad.

This Cache is just off and downhill of the old Rail Bed that you are parked on, Follow the fence line downhill just a few feet. There is a log, small trade items and room for TB's. PLEASE Replace how you found it, well covered is how I placed it. Thank You!

CAUTION: If it has been raining the road from near the Bible Camp where you leave the FS Road can be very slick, don't get stuck in there..

USE CAUTION During Hunting Season...

You can park with-in 30 feet of this cache, it really is a Park N' Grab...

To get to this cache you have to drive some County Roads that the old rail bed crosses and that the county used for roads. If you plug in the cords to the Benchmarks below you will see just where those points are. At mile marker 25 North of Mancos to your East you can see the old rail bed cut. Going up CR 40 the bed will cross your path at HM0062.Don't miss your right turn at 39.9, head for the Bible Camp: When you make the right turn onto 39.9 you turn onto the old rail bed the rest of the way, stay left at the Y just past HM0063 and the Bible Camp, from here you start down Lost Canyon, this is really cool in here, enjoy the ride. Caution if it has been raining, this can get really muddy in here. Go as far as you can and park: NOTE: The land on the other side of the fence is UTE Mountain Tribal Land!!! KEEP OUT!! You are outside the SJNF. From here the old bed heads down Lost Canyon to Dolores. So lets go..

If any one ask what you are doing. You are "Chasing the Rails" of The Rio Grande Southern Railroad of course.

Couple of images from our journey.

Some YouTube Clips I Found.. From the Cab of the Gallaping Goose and the Galloping Goose Running the Track Near Durango, Co

The Rio Grande Southern was one of the most spectacular narrow gauge railroads in the world. It provided heavy transportation service for the west side of the San Juan mountains and traveled through spectacular scenery that, prior to the railroad, was only accessible by the most determined traveler using horses, wagons, or even basic foot power.

The Rio Grande Southern Railroad (RGS) ran from Durango to Ridgway in the western part of the US state of Colorado. Its right of way can be traced by going west from Durango to Mancos, then to Dolores, north across Lizard Head Pass (10,222') to Placerville, with the final leg to Ridgway.

The route passed over Dallas Divide west of Ridgway and over Lizard Head Pass north of Rico. The most famous structure on the route was the Ophir Loop near Ophir. At this point the railroad was built up a narrow mountain valley and looped back up the other side to gain elevation over several tall trestles.

The RGS filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission for abandonment on 24 April 1952.

Details for Benchmarks: HM0062 and HM0063 you will pass by. HM0064 is on the UTE Land.

This page shows Remnants of the Rio Grande Southern Out Along The Line that are still standing.

Next Stop, Lost Cyn Power Pole. ALL Aboarrrrrrd!!!!! ......
or Mancos Station, Under Construction.

Be sure and check out the WILDCAT RGS VIEW and A Funny Way to Ride the Rails #2 while chasing the rails.

Also see The Rio Grande Southern Railroad - History and Time Lines.

FTF Prize here. A Small Clock. FTF was gordoman5