Moffat Tunnel Road 1/1

Moffat Tunnel Road
Gilpin County, Colorado
Roosevelt National Forest 
Boulder Ranger District 
View this on the Colorado Trailheads Map

County Road: 16
Trail Type: Out and Back
Nearby Towns: Rollinsville, Nederland
Nearby Trails: Kingston Peak, Jenny Creek, Rollins Pass East, Moon Gulch, West Magnolia, Mammoth Gulch, Gross Reservoir
Trail Length: 8.1 miles
Elevation: 8,473 to 9,251 feet

This easy road connects the pavement at Rollinsville to many other trails in Gilpin County. It starts across the road from the Stage Stop restaurant and ends near the east portal of the Moffat Tunnel.

The Moffat Tunnel started operating in 1928, connecting Denver to the other side of the continental divide at Winter Park. Before that time, the path went up and over Rollins Pass through the Needle Eye Tunnel. The Moffat Tunnel is 6.2 miles long, it cost $18,000,000, and 19 people died during the construction. The route up over Rollins Pass used to take 2 1/2 hours, but the Moffat Tunnel cut that trip to 12 minutes. The Moffat Tunnel is still in use today.

You'll pass the trailhead for the West Magnolia trail first, and then you'll find a sign for the Moffat Tunnel next to a turnout and parking area. Stop here to read many signs detailing the tunnel and life in Gilpin County over a hundred years ago.

The trail follows South Boulder Creek and the railroad tracks to the tiny town of Tolland and the trailhead for Mammoth Gulch. Pass this and cross to the other side of the river to the trailhead for Rollins Pass East.

Continue to the end and a large parking lot. There are pit toilets here near the hiking trail to James Peak. You can see the tunnel clearly and hear the fans blowing, but you can't get closer. It's worth it to wait to see a train at the tunnel.

Enjoy your time in the valley and head back the way you came.

Information last updated on August 28th, 2013.

Member Reports

August 24, 2013: ran by Bill S., Mike S., Monica and WaltJuly 14, 2012: ran by Monica, Roger and Walt

Driving Directions

From Rollinsville, cross the highway to the East Portal Road marked with a sign.

Meeting Places

Meet at the Stage Stop, the only restaurant in Rollinsville.

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