Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Train Ride

[Grizzly]

We went on a train ride last week on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado. The train ride took 6 1/2 hours, then we came back by bus to Chama. The high mountain scenery is breath taking. We spent two nights at the Sky Mountain RV Park in Chama along the river called Rio Chama. From there we towed the 5er into Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Spent some time at the Red River RV Park in Red River, New Mexico and around the Enchanted circle. We had a great trip with high mountain passes and beautiful scenery.



We plan to do it again this fall when the fall colors are in.

 

[tolmsted]

Glad to hear you had a good time. We've done that train trip also. I like to see the water tower along the way and the Y turn around is interesting also.

 

[jelag]

Grizzly

What's Albuquerque like in Oct during the balloon fest... we are considering 4-5 weeks in 09 and would end up there in Oct and than head back to Spokane...

Will I find a nice spot for the 5er that time of year or will I have to make reservations months in advance...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Grizzly



What's Albuquerque like in Oct during the balloon fest... we are considering 4-5 weeks in 09 and would end up there in Oct and than head back to Spokane...



Will I find a nice spot for the 5er that time of year or will I have to make reservations months in advance...

Usually, you definitely need reservations - but with the current fuel prices, might be different...

 

[THoltz]

My wife and I rode the D&SNG from Durango to Silverton and back last month. I bought a book about the history of the Denver & Rio Grande narrow gauge railroad who built and operated most of the narrow gauge railroad in Colorado including the line from that is now known as the Cumgres & Toltec. We want to ride that next year. Thanks for the RV campground info.

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly



What's Albuquerque like in Oct during the balloon fest... we are considering 4-5 weeks in 09 and would end up there in Oct and than head back to Spokane...



Will I find a nice spot for the 5er that time of year or will I have to make reservations months in advance...

Jim, you really do need reservations months ahead of time because local folks like to tow their RV's to the balloon park for one of the two weekends, which will consume much of the available spaces. You really want to be in the park because the traffic to get to the park can take hours.



What Gary said may be true, but I wouldn't count on it, make reservations. Do a search on albuquerqueballoonfiesta.com. Let me know when you'er in town. October is the best time of the year to visit Northern New Mexico and the International Balloon Fiesta. george

 

[Grizzly]

My wife and I rode the D&SNG from Durango to Silverton and back last month. I bought a book about the history of the Denver & Rio Grande narrow gauge railroad who built and operated most of the narrow gauge railroad in Colorado including the line from that is now known as the Cumgres & Toltec. We want to ride that next year. Thanks for the RV campground info.

We road the Durango Silverton some two or three years ago. In my opinion the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad ride was 3 or 4 time better, much longer and more scenic. Plus you get a great lunch, which is included in the price of the ticket, at the mid point called Osier.

 

[Bill Stockard]

We plan to do it again this fall when the fall colors are in.

We usually like to take the drive along CO17/NM17 from Conejos, CO to Chama, NM begining about the 25th of September for the fall colors and spectacular scenery. When taking this drive we stay at the Conejos River Campground about 12 miles west of Conejos on CO17. We stay in the lower secton with water and electric hookups and it's closer to the river. At that time of year, there isn't anyone else parked there and all we hear is the Conejos River.



Bill

 

[Grizzly]

We usually like to take the drive along CO17/NM17 from Conejos, CO to Chama, NM begining about the 25th of September for the fall colors and spectacular scenery. When taking this drive we stay at the Conejos River Campground about 12 miles west of Conejos on CO17. We stay in the lower secton with water and electric hookups and it's closer to the river. At that time of year, there isn't anyone else parked there and all we hear is the Conejos River.



Bill

Bill, do you ride the NGRR from Antonito to Chama? The scenery's great either way. You've got me thinking, maybe we'll stay at the Conejos River Campground. How's the fishing that time of the year on the Conejos?

 

[Darrenf]

We went on a train ride last week on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado. The train ride took 6 1/2 hours, then we came back by bus to Chama. The high mountain scenery is breath taking. We spent two nights at the Sky Mountain RV Park in Chama along the river called Rio Chama. From there we towed the 5er into Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Spent some time at the Red River RV Park in Red River, New Mexico and around the Enchanted circle. We had a great trip with high mountain passes and beautiful scenery.



We plan to do it again this fall when the fall colors are in.

My family did that trip when i was kid, though I think we just went from Antonito to the midway point where they fed us lunch and then came back the same way. I enjoyed it then and I've told my wife we need to go down there again... fall would be excellent!

 

[Bill Stockard]

Bill, do you ride the NGRR from Antonito to Chama? The scenery's great either way. You've got me thinking, maybe we'll stay at the Conejos River Campground. How's the fishing that time of the year on the Conejos?

We were there several years ago in late September and the fall colors up in the mountains were outstanding. No, we didn't ride the railroad since we had our elderly weenie dog with us and we didn't want to leave her in the camper all day. We took the truck and camper up in the mountains on a couple of long day trips and returned to the campground in the evening so I didn't get to talk to any one about fishing on the Conejos River. This was the first time we parked at the Conejos River Campground.



We've been RVing since 1970 and northern NM/southern CO is one of our favorite areas to visit.



Bill

 

[hilda]

We went on a train ride last week on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado. The train ride took 6 1/2 hours, then we came back by bus to Chama. The high mountain scenery is breath taking. We spent two nights at the Sky Mountain RV Park in Chama along the river called Rio Chama. From there we towed the 5er into Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Spent some time at the Red River RV Park in Red River, New Mexico and around the Enchanted circle. We had a great trip with high mountain passes and beautiful scenery.



We plan to do it again this fall when the fall colors are in.

Wow



That sounds great. Just told the wife we well have to get up there



Jim

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly



What's Albuquerque like in Oct during the balloon fest... we are considering 4-5 weeks in 09 and would end up there in Oct and than head back to Spokane...



Will I find a nice spot for the 5er that time of year or will I have to make reservations months in advance...

Jim, in addition to my previous post, Albuquerque and New Mexico are at it's best in October with respect to weather and fall colors. Not to mention the 800 balloon mass ascensions and balloon glows.