I have been searching this site and others and have been unable to specifically find out if the summit of Sherman hill is legally accessible. I have seen a few different public land ownership maps and they are all different in regards to public land at the summit. Some show BLM, others state and some all private. If there indeed is public land at the summit, is the road open to the public to get there? Internet and paper maps show tons of roads and are very misleading as most of them are private. Comments generally are try not to trespass and watch out for law enforcement and ranchers with guns. Any clarification here would be appreciated.
Thanks.
According to Trains' 2013 "Railroad Maps" special issue, the summit at Sherman is not in the boundaries of the Medicine Bow National Forest, which does encompass the present-day Ames Monument.
Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine
Loco2124 (2-6):
The Ames monument is easily accessed off Interstate 80 Exit 329, and go south on Monument Road to the monument. That road, if you take it further south, publically crosses Mains 1 and 2. As far as Sherman itself and the Buford area, RAILROAD access is off Exit 335. When I took that road a number of years ago a UP sign advised “No Trespassing,” so seeing the 8013 feet signed Sherman is very unlikely. If you really want to see the summit, you may want to consider hiring a helicopter service. But, that costs a fortune. I don’t know what the current rates are, but $500 to a $1000 wouldn’t surprise me for just an hour.
A visit to the Ames monument one year was had, and to my surprise, it was lightly snowing, and the quietness was unreal. So, if you visit the Ames Monument, have a suitcase full of gear to keep you warm! Expect anything.
The Tie siding area on the south side is accessible publically, but it is unknown how access is at the Hermosa Tunnels anymore, but there too you may not be satisfied what you come upon … or you may be delighted. I don’t know.
If you visit, whatever you do, psyche yourself into dealing with unreasonable, hypocritical people. Both railroaders and non-railroaders can be unreasonable. And, unfortunately for them, they lose so much and alienate themselves or their companies from those that can be an asset to them, and hardly promote the ideals of America, you know, the pledge of allegiance, the end thought, ‘with liberty and justice for all.’
Best,
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
I have been interested in trains and railroads since my boyhood. I am now 63. Over the years I have visited a few of the "sacred shrines" of railroading. Never Sherman Hill until now with the golden spike celebration etc. For so many years I have seen the photos and read so much about it and I was finally giving myself a chance to go for it. The wide open spaces, the grand vistas; The power and the glory if you will. Now I'm not so sure I want to even bother. Too many negatives about the whole experience being presented to me as far as hostility towards anyone track-side. (foamer or not) I should have expected it. Tehachapi used to be wide open. You could even spend the night there. Can't get past the gate now. I suppose we have done it to ourselves pretty much and 9-11 only exacerbated it. Doesn't sound like fun...
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
Over 70 years ago Lucius Beebe, in the forward to one of his books expressed his appreciation to all the professional railroaders who helped him in his travels and photo expeditions.
However, he also expressed his scorn for the obstinate, the obnoxious, the self-important, and (his term) "...the assorted vice-nobodys..." who gave him no co-operation at all.
Some railroads are railfan-friendly, some never were.
People don't change. You might meet some real jerks out there, but at the same time you'll probably meet some of the best folks you'll ever hope to meet.
You never know until you try.
PS: I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. A fixed-wing aircraft rental may be a lot more reasonable than a helicopter rental. See if there's any General Aviation airports in the area and contact the Fixed Base Operator, he (she) might be able to arrange something if you choose to go that route. One thing, make sure the airplane is a high-wing type like a Cessna 150 or 172, a low-wing like a Piper Cherokee isn't suitable for aerial photography.
Loco2124 (2-15):
A friend here in the office, and his wife, who have just gotten a huge tax refund, said he might just visit the Cheyenne-Laramie area sometime this year. He is curious, and has gotten me as well, about the signaling on Main 3, the 1952 added and longer track out of Cheyenne and the westernmost alignment into Laramie. Those tracks have a number of sidings, and we are curious how those sidings were signaled. When the Los Angeles & Salt Lake line of Union Pacific had Positive Train Control put in and re-signaled, its 6000 sidings used cheap circuitry, i.e., wiring only for a red over flashing red for siding entrances (one lamp lower heads). We both wonder if Sherman Hill likewise uses that cheap circuitry, or if the more expensive red over yellow can be displayed (two lamp lower heads).
Unless someone here at the forum knows and is willing to reply and tell us, he and I will have wait until he can get out to the Sherman Hill area to find out.
As far as visiting the Sherman Hill area, I would say go and see it. You will regret it if you don’t. JUST STAY OFF RAILROAD PROPERTY! If you stay off, you should be alright. IF some wacko gives you trouble, play it coy and leave as quickly as possible, and return when they are gone. If someone says it is illegal to photograph trains, again play it coy, perhaps saying you didn’t know that, and leave. Coy, coy, coy! Return when the fool is gone. If you stick up for your rights, expect being tied up with police for hours and hours, and expect having to testify in court. You will be in the right, but playing it coy seems more practical and a saving of much time. Anyway, whatever you do, have fun. The Sherman Hill area is a cool place, and there ARE public roads in that area, but only a few go by the tracks themselves.
Flintlock76 (2-15):
A point about a helicopter vs. a fixed wing aircraft is that a helicopter can hover over a site for an extended period of time and a good look can be had, whereas a fixed wing aircraft can’t. Take Sherman for example. A pilot could probably get down to 500 feet (above the ground) and hover for a good look and filling one’s heart’s content, whereas a fixed wing aircraft would need several passing by the area, even then you may not be satisfied. Of course, either one would be an adventure in itself!
Take care all,
Preferably a four seater with space in the back. That way the pilot can make a slow left hand banking turn while keeping his eyes on the ”target”, not unlike an AC-130. But in this case you will be shooting film!
I would anticipate, however, there will be drones galore so the airspace may be pretty congested over the 4014.
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