This was the site of a massive, steeply-inclined timber trestle on the Otis Elevating Railway as it ascended towards the summit. The mountainous ridge that is vaulted by the Otis, known as “The Wall of Manitou” does not rise uniformly, but rather is “stepped” like a staircase with short plateaus followed by steep (sometimes nearly vertical) rises. Hence, in order to maintain a steady grade, the Otis was largely built as a succession of alternating cuts and trestles. This was actually the last trestle before reaching the summit. An excellent photograph of the span can be seen on the cover of William Helmer’s book Rip Van Winkle Railroads.

Photographed by Rich Kugel, May 25, 2008.
Added to the photo archive by Rich Kugel, May 30, 2008.
Railroad: Otis Elevating Railway.

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