Palmer Lake to MP 54.4 and return The old Santa Fe Northbound track, now a hiking trail. in Tales of the Jointed Track

Memories flood me here. I am joyful and not sad. I just celebrated two years retired from the railroad on September 5th, 2014, after 40 years of service. Where did the time go. I apologize, because all these were taken with the i-Phone.

The town of Palmer Lake and El Paso county bought the abandoned right of way from the Santa Fe. This was done shortly after the line was torn up and hiking and biking train was established. This extends from Palmer Lake all the way to Colorado Springs. The bridges that were removed the trail moves around these. The trail is as wide as the original road bed was. The pictures will give you an idea. Or at least that is my intent.

This is a DP grain train 3x1, about halfway over the top on the CTC single track. This is just south of the cut we walked through. There was a Frisbee disc golf tournament going on, so I need to come back and maybe video this.
This was the easier part of the grade, but it too had its steep parts.

This is the DP if you follow the track up. the majority of the “town” of Palmer Lake is to the right and NOT in the photo.

This is the straightaway, looking southwest, before you turned right, and headed for the top. You are about 3/4 of a mile from topping Palmer Lake.

An open and curving area between MP 54 and 53. Elephant Rock formation is to the left not shown, but the tree growth hinders a good shot from this location.

*If you have read some of prior entries. I was on the work train that tore up between MP 55 and Palmer Lake summit. So I guess I can say I was the last operating train on this portion of track. This was the area that I walked back to observe the taking up of the rails. I was told to get back up there, after the Conductor chewed on the engineer, for letting them roll back and almost coming off the end of the track. This is the entry Tearing up the North Track Kelker Yard to Palmer Lake, CO Part 2 *

nearing MP 54 were a half mile north. Looking southeast.

Another view moving further south

If you look closely between the gap in the pines..You can see the block signal on the single track CTC at MP 54.4. If you continue about another mile and 3/4’s you will be at Spruce Mountain Road coming into Monument. This is where the Santa Fe crossed the highway via an elevated bridge. That is where this segment ends.

Another view of the single track CTC just below 54.4. You can see the track curving into the cut. You are two miles from Monument, CO and 2 and 1/2 miles from the North Switch at Monument siding

walking back north to Palmer Lake looking over the front range of the Palmer Divide area. The predominant mountain with the big green scar, had a forest and brush fire in the late 80’s. A lightning strike, during a hot streak started this. Since it was remote, no structures were burned. I was an experience to see the fire tankers and helicopter drops, while in Monument siding waiting for a meet. At night the eerie red glow of the embers and a few leaping flames was a sight to behold. You can see the CTC main line and the white looking ties are that. These are concrete ties, supporting 165 lbs welded rail.

This the slag ballast that still strewns the old roadbed at the sides of the trail. Again if you have read previous entries, this came from the “slag pit” at Salt Creek, when the CF&I (Colorado Fuel & Iron) had working blast furnaces and smelted Iron ore. You can see the odd shaping etc.. The background behind my hand..and the black granules, are steam engine cinders from an era a long time ago.

This is off the trail or right of way. The black sandy looking stuff are cinders from the steam engines .

Walking back toward Palmer Lake, a Comanche empty train just north on MP 53. The second unit is a Citi Bank Lease unit. It is also a C-44-ACW

This is the DP consist on the rear end of the Comanche. Per practice, the locomotive that is directly next to the hoppers is the DP linked unit.

A lil sick humor. We are getting the harvest of Palisade peaches and apples from the western slope of Colorado. Also Olathe sweet corn from the same region. Well here are some “road Apples’, ready for pickin too. Disclaimer not for human consumption.

Thanks for reading and have a great Day!!

Last updated September 10, 2014