After the snow bank stopped our trek to the summit, we passed back through Windy Point and started down "The Hill".
We dropped down the grade, passing through the cut of deep snow.
Lake Moraine visible below.
Dropping down along the snow covered slope.
The trees returned as we dropped back below tree line.
There was a fantastic view looking down at Colorado Springs and beyond.
This is a true "Railway to the Sky".
As we dropped between the trees.
The views from our train were outstanding!
We made another curve as we continued to descend.
Can be a very cold place without the sunshine.
The viewing continues to be very interesting.
Our train took a series of curves that returned us to the longest straight track on the railway.
Straight as it can be!
You could see the summit of Pikes Peak where the wind must have really been blowing as we all watched the snow being blown off.
We dropped down to Four Mile Siding and had a brief layover for a rest stop with a pair of bathrooms and time for some pictures.
Our train at rest at Four Mile Siding.
Chris Parker outside at 4 Mile.
The map of our route this day.
Passengers have returned from their rest break at 4 Mile.
The view towards the peak.
One more view of our train. I took a bathroom break before we headed back down the hill to the station.
The look back after we left 4 Mile.
Another section of straight track.
The summit ridge line came into complete view before our next turn.
After we took that curve.
I saw a waterfall coming out of a pipe just before Ruxton Park.
The next curve brought Pilot's Knob into view.
We took a tight curve as we continued to descend.
The train started down "Son of a Gun Hill".
This run was absolutely fantastic.
Our train ran back down through Minnehaha.
I love snow on trees!
Stunning!
Our train takes another curve.
You can see the grade in these pictures.
Still dropping down the grade.
Our train passed the sign leaving the Pikes Peak National Forest.
We passed the first of the shop buildings before running between them.
Our train arrived back in the station.
I walked down to the other end to catch the train heading back to the shop.
I took some more picture of Manitou & Pike's Peak 5 on display at the depot. Chris was inside buying his souvenirs from the gift shop and I took one last look around. I met Chris at the car and we left the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway after a fantastic trip. We drove back to Interstate 25 and headed south back to Walensburg. An accident in Pueblo slowed us down a bit but we soon exited into Walensburg and took US 160 west out of town.
We pulled off of US 160 for a sunset picture then crossed La Veta Pass, dropped down to Fort Garland and Blanca before arriving in Alamosa. We checked into the Best Western Alamosa Inn for the next two nights. I walked next door to KFC for some dinner, then drove Chris to Wendy's for his. We stopped at a store before returning to the hotel for the night.
