Old Corely Road

The Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Railway (CS&CCD - The Short Line), constructed in 1900 as a 45.8-mile route, runs between Colorado Springs in El Paso County and the Cripple Creek-Victor Mining District in Teller County, Colorado. Converted during the early 1920s to an auto toll road known from 1924 through 1939 as the Corley Mountain Highway, the route travels on top of the earlier rail bed along approximately 90% of its length, except for one section bypassed during the 1 920s around collapsed Tunnels No. 7 and 8, and at short bypasses at a small number of former trestle locations. The road is narrow and unpaved, and has been hailed for a century as an engineering achievement and enjoyed by generations for its scenic vistas and recreational opportunities. In 1939, ownership of the road reverted to the Forest Service and the route was renamed the Gold Camp Road. This scenic route continues to be a popular attraction for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, providing access to the rugged mountainous area south of Pike's Peak.