
What are Devil’s Slide Trestles?
Usa, north-america
N/A
293 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're way up in the Rockies of north-central Colorado, Boulder County to be exact. You stumble across what's left of the old Devil's Slide Trestles. These aren't roads, per se, but old railroad trestles clinging to the side of South Boulder Canyon. Imagine a narrow-gauge railway line that was built to help trains cross the Continental Divide.
We're talking about two trestles perched on the edge of a cliff with a massive 960-foot vertical drop! Built way back in 1904, these trestles look like they’re just hanging on for dear life. Now, while much of the old railway is still there, some of the trestles have collapsed over the years.
Here's the kicker: no guardrails! Just a straight drop on either side. And some of the boards? Well, let's just say you can see straight down. Originally built for trains to cross the Continental Divide.
This route was used for automobile traffic from 1955 to 1979, and then reopened in 1988, only to be permanently closed in 1990.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 293 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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