Near Colorado Midland Centennial Trail
Near Colorado Midland Centennial Trail
Near Colorado Midland Centennial Trail
Near Colorado Midland Centennial Trail
Near Colorado Midland Centennial Trail

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Hike Route

Colorado Midland Centennial Trail

4.0 (4 Ratings)
A meandering trail that mostly follows an old railroad grade to the Hagerman Tunnel.
5.8
mi
Distance
619
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
CaveCommonly BackpackedFamily FriendlyFishingLakeRiver/CreekViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
5.77mi
Distance
619ft
Elevation Gain
619ft
Elevation Loss
25%
Max Grade
11,501ft
High Point
10,935ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Leave the Midland Trailhead heading west past the large wooded sign and follow the singletrack trail for a couple of hundred yards till you join the old railroad grade. Follow the railroad grade south for about a mile then take a hard right up the hill on an old cobbly dirt road. At the next railroad grade head north and then follow a singletrack trail to the highest railroad grade that you'll join at Hagerman Lake.The lake has great views and ample room to sit and enjoy a lunch. The fishing is supposedly good, and dispersed camp spots offer an opportunity to spend the night. People often camp here to make an enjoyable one-night backpacking trip.From Hagerman Lake, walk about half a mile to the Hagerman Tunnel. After you've checked it out, head back toward Hagerman Lake for 100 yards then take the steep trail on your right down to small pond below to start on the rest of the loop.From the pond, stay on the old rocky dirt road through the historic Douglass City (check out the informational sign) and cross the middle railroad grade. A quarter of a mile later, you'll reach the bottom railroad grade, take a left, and follow the grade for a mile back to the trailhead.
History & Background
The Midland Centennial Trail was a railway built in 1883. It ran from Colorado Springs to Leadville and over the Hagerman Pass to Glennwood. At one point this was the highest railway in the world.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

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Contributors
Jennifer Brown