101 Things 2021 for Yumpu

Summer in the San Luis Valley 2021 Page 3
1880 with three feet — narrow gauge — between the
tracks instead of four feet, eight and a half inches, the
standard in the United States.
The railroad’s locomotives burn hand-shoveled coal
pulling trains along the highest and longest narrow
gauge track in the United States from Antonito to Chama,
N.M. The
railroad
g i v e s
passengers
a unique
view of the
beauty of
the San
J u a n
Mountains,
taking them
on a twisty
ride that
crosses the
Colorado-
New Mexico
border 11
times and
carries them over 10,015-foot-high Cumbres Pass and
through two tunnels.
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad offers
daily scenic train rides from Chama, New Mexico and
Antonito, Colorado, crossing at historic Osier Station.
Schedules and details about specials and all train
rides are available at www.cumbrestoltec.com or by
calling 1-888-Cumbres (286-2737).
3. EARLY IRON FESTIVAL
Hundreds of vehicles from America’s “early” years
in its love affair with the automobile arrive in Alamosa
from all over the United States for their annual Labor
Day weekend San Luis Valley Early Iron Festival, one
of the San Luis Valley’s largest events featuring more
than 500 cars.
This year will mark the 39th anniversary as the event
was cancelled last year. Early Iron welcomes a variety of
vehicles including pickups, custom, street rods, classics
and street machines. See www.earlyironclub.com/
4. SKI HI STAMPEDE
Colorado’s oldest outdoor rodeo, the Ski Hi Stampede
in Monte Vista is a delight for the entire family. This year
will mark the 98th anniversary of the San Luis Valley
Ski Hi Stampede planned July 23-25. Traditionally,
there will be parades beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday