Gold Belt Tour
Phantom Canyon Road Part 1

Driving through Phantom Canyon was quite a surprise for me. I didn't expect the size or character of the countryside: the grandeur, the depth, the continual changes. And so much rock...

I knew beforehand that this was an old railroad bed but I didn't expect the two tunnels, or some of the sheer cliffs rising up and dropping down. The canyon actually felt pretty lush to me as most of Colorado is classed as semi-arid. Evergreens are one thing but there were an awful lot of cottonwoods along the way.

As narrow as the road was in places, there were still lots of good turn-outs so oncoming vehicles didn't present any problems. Of course, if someone came in here with a big rig or anything with a trailer that could be a real problem. I did come across a fair number of vehicles going in both directions but everyone seemed to be enjoying the ride and the scenery so no one was in a hurry.

On this page I start at the southern entrance to Phantom Canyon and take it up to the first steel bridge. On Part 2 I continue on from that first steel bridge and take it up to Victor at the top of the hill. Total drive: maybe 22 miles. And I'm going to do it again, next chance I get. There's no way to see it all and feel it all in just one trip...