Hancock - Colorado Ghost Town

HANCOCK

NAME: Hancock
COUNTY: Chaffee
ROADS: 2WD (4WD to tunnel)
GRID: 5
CLIMATE: Cold winter with snow, cool summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Summer

COMMENTS: Not much left but the tunnel is interesting if you can make it.
REMAINS: A few remnants.

Hancock served the workers who built the famous Alpine Tunnel. Its main population peak was in the 1880's and 1890's while the tunnel was being built. Mining was secondary in Hancock. The tunnel was completed in 1881, but the train ran through Hancock carrying miners, passengers and supplies. It is said Mark Twain took the ride one time just for the experience. The tunnel ceased operation in 1910 and the last mine in Hancock closed in 1926 with the passing of the last passenger train. Today one can still make it to the Alpine Tunnel entrance in a 4WD The only true remains of Hancock - July, 1999 Todd Underwood Building near Hancock-July,1999 Todd Underwood Alley Belle Mine -July,1999 Todd Underwood Alley Belle Mine -July,1999 Todd Underwood Building near Hancock-July,1999 Todd Underwood Roof above the Alley Belle-July,1999 Todd Underwood Alley Belle Mine -July,1999 Todd Underwood Alley Belle Mine -July,1999 Todd Underwood Alley Belle Mine -July,1999 Todd Underwood Stone Engine House -- could accommodate 6 engines for repair service. Courtesy Dolores Steele Railroad track ruins Courtesy Dolores Steele	Alley Belle Mine Courtesy Dolores Steele Cabin Courtesy Dolores Steele Hancock Courtesy Dolores Steele Getting to the Alpine Tunnel --- abandaned railroad grade --scarcely three feet between one and eternity -- would been impression from a railroad car window. Courtesy Dolores Steele Alpine Station --built 1884 - abandaned 1910 --- Elv. 11,546 ft. Courtesy Dolores Steele Inside building near Hancock-July,1999 Todd Underwood Steps to nowhere-July,1999 Todd Underwood Outhouse -July,1999 Todd Underwood Crumbling building near Hancock-July,1999 Todd Underwood Building near Hancock-July,1999 Todd Underwood Buildings near Hancock-July,1999 Todd Underwood Alley Belle Mine -July,1999 Todd Underwood

Hancock served the workers who built the famous Alpine Tunnel. Its main population peak was in the 1880's and 1890's while the tunnel was being built. Mining was secondary in Hancock. The tunnel was completed in 1881, but the train ran through Hancock carrying miners, passengers and supplies. It is said Mark Twain took the ride one time just for the experience. The tunnel ceased operation in 1910 and the last mine in Hancock closed in 1926 with the passing of the last passenger train. Today one can still make it to the Alpine Tunnel entrance in a 4WD

The only true remains of Hancock - July, 1999
Todd Underwood

Building near Hancock-July,1999
Todd Underwood

Alley Belle Mine -July,1999
Todd Underwood

Building near Hancock-July,1999
Todd Underwood

Roof above the Alley Belle-July,1999
Todd Underwood

Alley Belle Mine -July,1999
Todd Underwood

Stone Engine House -- could accommodate 6 engines for repair service.
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Railroad track ruins
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Alley Belle Mine
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Cabin
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Hancock
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Getting to the Alpine Tunnel --- abandaned railroad grade --scarcely three feet between one and eternity -- would been impression from a railroad car window.
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Alpine Station --built 1884 - abandaned 1910 --- Elv. 11,546 ft.
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Inside building near Hancock-July,1999
Todd Underwood

Steps to nowhere-July,1999
Todd Underwood

Outhouse -July,1999
Todd Underwood

Crumbling building near Hancock-July,1999
Todd Underwood

Building near Hancock-July,1999
Todd Underwood

Buildings near Hancock-July,1999
Todd Underwood

Alley Belle Mine -July,1999
Todd Underwood

BACK