If any one ask what you are doing. You are "Chasing the Rails" of The Rio Grande Southern Railroad of course.
Standing at the cache and looking to the East into that open area is about where CR 124 and the Rail Line crossed back in the day, you are standing on or near the old CR 124 alignment, the rail goes up thru the C.DOT Yard, cuts it right in 1/2. Over on HWY 140 just South of 160 is where the bed crossed the now HWY 140 and that is where The Old Hesperus Station is, the first building on the left is the Old Hesperus Rail Station and on the right is the Old Puetz Saloon, the Water Tower was just North of the Saloon across the tracks near the Station, did the HWY take it out? Not Sure! South just a bit you can see the Old Church it is very near the rail bed and also on private property. From where you are the tracks climbed the hill to the West near Montoya's place, then back into the hills from there, holding the same elevation from Montoya's to the top of Mancos Hill. Just a little ways above the ski area the tracks crossed 160 and you can see the bed from there to the top of the hill on the North side.
Here are images of the Old Hesperus Station and the Puetz Saloon today, both private property. As you pass between these buildings you can see the old rail bad.
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.
Next Stop, Montoya's.. ALL Aboarrrrrrd!!!!!......
or Old Hesperus Hill.. ALL Aboarrrrrrd!!!!!......
Be sure and check out the WILDCAT RGS VIEW and A Funny Way to Ride the Rails #2 while chasing the rails.
FTF was YotaCacher w/ Kingbee