Hagerman Tunnel Western Slope Trail Reviews

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Hagerman Tunnel

Average Rating:

(4 of 5)

No. of Reviews: 2

Starts at 10,220, high point is 11,530-total elevation gain of 1,310. This is a ride for history and scenery freaks which is the reason why I did this to begin with. Surrounded by 3 Wilderness areas, it's a photo op the whole way.The Hagerman Tunnel was built in the late 1800's to connect Leadville with the Roaring Fork Vally by blasting through the Divide. It became too expensive so it was aborted to build the Carlton tunnel. The trail is littered with railroad ties and various rail remnants. I found this trail in a biking book and it was one of my faves. I did it in the end of July and was surounded by wildflowers in bloom. Ride up the road for about 5 miles on this 2wd dirt road. Make a left onto the Colorado-Midland Centennial Trail which is open to hikers and bikers. If you continue on up the rd., you will reach Hagerman Pass which is NOT your destination but as well could be if you choose to do another ride.. The trail starts out on an old railroad grade that is both wet and rocky, it's flat though. The trail remains relatively flat with one more climb as it dries out. You come to an intersection where you want to make a right. This is where you begin your loop part of this "lollipop" as you will return from the left. The singletrack varies from wide to slighly narrow on and off. Eventually you come to a drop off and you must turn left onto a narrow trail which soon rejoins the rail path you were just on. Continue on until you reach the Hagerman tunnel. It's all caved in but worth some time to check out the area and have a snack break. After checking it out, look back a few yards at the way you came and spot a lone telegraph pole..this is your marker to find the trail as you will head down a narrow, very rocky singletrack complete with old railroad ties. It's somewhat technical but easy enough. It flattens as you reach the old Ghost town of DOUGLAS. Check out the the area it rules. There are cabins along the trail and various sights to your left out in the field. Soon enough you finished the loop and are back at the intersection where you make a right and retrace your route back to the car.

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Latitude	39.256581873019734
Longitude	-106.46284103393554
Trail Directions	Turn onto Mt. View Road (north) by the Safeway in Leadville (there's a sign for Turqoise Lake). Make a right at a T intersection and parallel the railroad tracks. Make first left and cross tracks. At first stop sign after you pass the US Forest service sign, make a left towards Molly Brown campsite. Next intersection, make a right and cross Sugarload Dam. You are by the lake here. After a few miles, the Hagerman Pass Rd. bears to your left. Turn onto this dirt rd. and park your car in the little pulloff area to your right just as soon as you get onto this rd.
Trail Length	16 miles
Trail Level	Intermediate
Trail Type	Singletrack & Fire Roads
City/County	Leadville

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Reviews 1 - 2 (2 Reviews Total)

Review Date September 24, 2001 Overall Rating 4 of 5 Ridden Trail: Ridden Once Rate this review?		Reviewed by: Janna , from Denver Summary: Great ride. Fairly nontechnical and not too steep since it used to be an old railroad. Awesome panoramic views near the top along with tons of wildflowers. You'll pass several beautiful, peaceful alpine lakes along the way. Great photo ops! The tunnel itself is pretty eerie. Very dark (duh!). It was mid August and there was still snow inside the tunnel. Very cool to see that! Also got to see a marten, some marmots, and several pikas. Great, relatively easy, short trail not to be missed if you are in the area. Recommended Route: Out and back from the Hagerman Pass Road. Other recommended trails in the same area: Ride Hagerman Pass Rd up to the pass. Non technical but too high up. Watch out for t-storms. Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Review Date July 31, 2000 Overall Rating 4 of 5 Ridden Trail: Ridden Once Rate this review?		Reviewed by: Amy , from Denver Summary: The first 5 miles of the ride are on Hagerman Pass Rd. which is a gravel covered dirt road. It's a gradual incline which isn't that much fun but it has good views and gives you a chance to get used to the altitude. You will pass a trailhead at about 3.5 miles which is not the trail you are looking for. Continue on until you see the large sign for the Colorado-Midland Centennial Trail. The start of the trail looks more like a creekbed than a mountain bike trail. It is very wet and very rocky. Continue on a little further and the trail dries out and the views are spectacular. Turn right when you see the fork in the trail. This is where the real fun begins. Lots of rocks, lots of fun on the loop! Then back down the way you came. Recommended Route: The route recommended above is great if you can find it! Just to clarify how to get to the trailhead, after making a right at the T intersection, make an immediate left. You will then be parallel to the train tracks. Make your first right and cross the tracks. Once you are in the National Forest area, be sure you are heading clockwise around the lake to find Hagerman Pass Rd. The road is not marked, but is a well used 2 lane dirt road. Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.