Curecanti

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Salida
Monarch Branch
Poncha Springs
Mears Junction
Marshall Pass
Sargent
Parlin
Pitkin
Gunnison
Crested Butte
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Curecanti
Black Canyon
Cimarron
Montrose
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Paonia
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Ouray

Curecanti Needle west

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Curecanti, CO
Elevation 7,075 feet.
Denver 320 miles.

It was monumental rock spires like Curecanti Needle that made early explorers, geologists, surveyors and engineers all declare the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to be "impassable". But General Palmer response was always "it will be done." The General was right and the Denver and Rio Grande put Curecanti peak on the center of their railroad logo.

A 1000 feet high cliff of granite made the Curecanti spire was one of the major scenic attractions along the line. It is located about 30 miles west of Gunnison in the heart of the upper Black Canyon.

Today the base of the great monument is surrounded by the waters of Morrow Point Reservoir. You can drive your boat to it or you hike into the bottom of the canyon from the roadway on the opposite side of the canyon.

The railroad facilities at Curecanti included a passing siding with section, bunk and tool house.

WOODEN TRUSS BRIDGE

Upstream from the needle there was a nice wooden truss bridge where the railroad crossed the Gunnison river.