Geologic Road Log: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

By:
Shari Kelley, Peter Barkmann, Rob Benson, Jonathan Lovekin, and Lisa Dunn

2023, 36 pages

This geologic road log describes the diverse geology exposed along the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad between Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico. The booklet was designed for use on the annual "Geotrain" excursion offered by the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad each summer since 2011. The geologic journey begins in the San Luis Basin in the Rio Grande rift, traverses the southern San Juan volcanic field, and ends in the Chama Basin. The booklet includes a brief introduction to the regional geology of the area, a discussion of the engineering geology associated with building and maintaining the railroad, and descriptions of outcrops exposed in roadcuts along the rail line.