The Highest Railway in America Has Finally Reopened
"First installed in 1891 by Simmons Beautyrest mattress inventor Zalmon Simmons, this historic attraction that climbs to 14,115 feet (the highest railway in the country) was shuttered in 2017 following an infrastructure evaluation. After $100 million and three years of renovation, it has now reopened. The main depot retains its original 19th-century mining town aesthetic with a fresh coat of bright blue paint, but a second train platform, an overhead walkway, and remodeled bathrooms and gift shop are now part of the depot, too. Tracks were relaid, and the ride now features a single steel cog rail, with refurbished trains offering upholstered, cushioned seating. The 70-minute-ish journey into Pike National Forest and up to the summit is full of sights, from giant eons-old quartz boulders to canopies of trees and meandering waterfalls. A round-trip ticket costs $58 with a $10 upcharge for seat selection, offering 360-degree views at the summit including the Garden of the Gods, Cripple Creek, the continental divide, and the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The new visitor center should open June 2021."
