The Best of Trail Running
Get off the beaten path, away from rough roads and traffic. Our half-marathon course is a challenging 13-mile tour of some of the finest singletrack in Southern Colorado. We don't want to spoil it for you, but here are some things you'll encounter on your run:
- Views of the famed Royal Gorge Bridge
- Views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
- An opportunity to run on historic refurbished train trestles
- Chances to peer into the 1,000-foot Royal Gorge
History of Point Alta Vista
When the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway closed in 2012, the City of Cañon City lost a community icon. Operated for over 50 years and beloved by many, the small-scale tourist train took its last tour on September 30, 2012. This Labor Day weekend, however, Cañon City will celebrate the re-opening of the trestles and a new era for the historic Point Alta Vista viewpoint.
Greg Tabuteau and his wife, Judy, purchased the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway (not to be confused with the Royal Gorge Route Railway, which is still in operation) in 1981. They later purchased the Buckskin Joe western town, composed of historic buildings from near Alma, Colorado and the Cañon City area, in 1985. The train ran successfully for many years, offering a 30-minute ride from the station, across various trestles, to Point Alta Vista. The unique viewpoint is a covered patio area that overhangs the rim of the Royal Gorge. It offers sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and of the Royal Gorge Bridge.
In 2010, Tabuteau sold the property and historic buildings to billionaire Bill Koch, who moved the majority of the historic buildings to his ranch near Gunnison, Colorado. The train shut down two years later, leaving behind the trestles and train tracks. Public access to the area was near impossible, lacking any access points or viable routes. “We very nearly paid to have them removed,” says Councilwoman Ashley Smith. “But the expense was too great. I am so glad that we left them then so that we could spend that money wisely and refurbish them today.”
In 2018 Royal Gorge Rafting & Zipline Tours and Whitewater Bar & Grill owner Ty Seufer purchased the 806-acre property containing 3 of the 5 train trestles. With the inception of his new business venture – the Royal Gorge Ranch & Resort – Seufer offered to open his land and future trails to the public, while also refurbishing the trestles that lie on his property. He, along with local advocates including recreation group Fremont Adventure Recreation, made a plea to the City of Cañon City to budget funding for the refurbishment of the remaining 2 trestles, completing the historic loop. City Council designated $140,000 of City funds to enable the refurbishment of the trestles, which included engineering studies, new decking, stabilization, and railings. The defunct railroad bed has now been converted into a trail.
In the months that followed, crews have worked diligently on the trestles themselves, as well as on public trails that will allow runners, hikers, and mountain bikers to access the property. “We’re super stoked to show off all the work that we’ve done over the past 11 months the trails, including the climbing area, the lots, and the clubhouse,” says Royal Gorge Ranch & Resort owner Ty Seufer. “Everything about Royal gorge ranch and resort is going to be world class.”
Greg Tabuteau and his wife, Judy, purchased the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway (not to be confused with the Royal Gorge Route Railway, which is still in operation) in 1981. They later purchased the Buckskin Joe western town, composed of historic buildings from near Alma, Colorado and the Cañon City area, in 1985. The train ran successfully for many years, offering a 30-minute ride from the station, across various trestles, to Point Alta Vista. The unique viewpoint is a covered patio area that overhangs the rim of the Royal Gorge. It offers sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and of the Royal Gorge Bridge.
In 2010, Tabuteau sold the property and historic buildings to billionaire Bill Koch, who moved the majority of the historic buildings to his ranch near Gunnison, Colorado. The train shut down two years later, leaving behind the trestles and train tracks. Public access to the area was near impossible, lacking any access points or viable routes. “We very nearly paid to have them removed,” says Councilwoman Ashley Smith. “But the expense was too great. I am so glad that we left them then so that we could spend that money wisely and refurbish them today.”
In 2018 Royal Gorge Rafting & Zipline Tours and Whitewater Bar & Grill owner Ty Seufer purchased the 806-acre property containing 3 of the 5 train trestles. With the inception of his new business venture – the Royal Gorge Ranch & Resort – Seufer offered to open his land and future trails to the public, while also refurbishing the trestles that lie on his property. He, along with local advocates including recreation group Fremont Adventure Recreation, made a plea to the City of Cañon City to budget funding for the refurbishment of the remaining 2 trestles, completing the historic loop. City Council designated $140,000 of City funds to enable the refurbishment of the trestles, which included engineering studies, new decking, stabilization, and railings. The defunct railroad bed has now been converted into a trail.
In the months that followed, crews have worked diligently on the trestles themselves, as well as on public trails that will allow runners, hikers, and mountain bikers to access the property. “We’re super stoked to show off all the work that we’ve done over the past 11 months the trails, including the climbing area, the lots, and the clubhouse,” says Royal Gorge Ranch & Resort owner Ty Seufer. “Everything about Royal gorge ranch and resort is going to be world class.”
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Thanks to funding from the City of Cañon City, the historic trestles have now been refurbished - by adding decking and railing - to allow public access. Overlooking the grand Royal Gorge landscape, the trestles offer a unique scenic viewpoint.
Fremont Adventure Recreation and the City of Cañon City continue to work toward connecting public trails at the Royal Gorge Trails system to the trestles. "One Track Mind" will allow access to the trestles from public parking along CR3A. The trestles are scheduled to be open in the spring of 2020. |
