Got a few pictures at several points of UP's mostly-dormant former D&RGW Tennessee Pass line. Started at the eastern end, where it is still active, at Canon City.
The Royal Gorge train runs between Canon (pronounced Canyon) City and Parkdale, 12 miles west. Rock and Rail provides common-carrier service on the line between Pueblo and Parkdale.
http://www.rockandrail.com/
Here's the Royal Gorge train, backing into the station after the morning run--no, I didn't ride it this time; I did 4 years ago...
West of Parkdale were miles of cuts of empty coal hoppers.
Salida is where the Monarch branch headed west (line abandoned when the mine quit in the early 80's), and was a busy narrow gauge terminal at one time, with lines heading west over Marshall Pass toward Gunnison and south toward Alamosa. The Tennessee Pass line turns toward the north at this point.
The track appears to be in good shape at all points, although it is jointed rail and I would expect UP to install welded rail if the line is ever reactivated. I did notice a codeline pole completely engulfed by sagebrush near Buena Vista.
One place I considered camping was right at Tennessee Pass, where there is a Forest Service campground. I opted to stay near Leadville instead. But on my way to Frisco, I came to the Pass and got a couple of pictures. The south portal didn't come out too well, but the north portal looked decent:
I hadn't traveled the section of US 24 between Leadville and Minturn (and I-70) and was surprised by the beauty. The railroad runs along the Eagle River and the highway is mostly high above the river. Sorry for the bright spot at the top of the photo - was late in the day and I didn't have many options for the shot.
