Enter the heart of the Rocky Mountains to enjoy scenic vistas and experience an engineering marvel of Colorado’s past. Come with us on the CppCon 2024 Georgetown Loop Railroad trip on Sunday, September 15th, 2024.
The Georgetown Loop Railroad Field Trip is sponsored by the North Denver Metro C++ Meetup.
We’ll leave the Gaylord Rockies at 10:45 AM and travel by motor coach to Idaho Springs, Colorado, for a lunch buffet at the uniquely Colorado pizza joint, Beau Jo’s. Then we will travel on to take a ride on the Georgetown Loop narrow gauge steam railroad
Enjoy the scenery and views of the majestic Clear Creek valley as you look out from the windows of enclosed passenger cars traveling over and around the rebuilt railroad loop that was first put into service in 1884. The aspen trees will be turning gold for fall, as our steam train winds up and down the mountain valley under 14,000’ (4300m) peaks of the continental divide. This railroad is a unique part of Colorado and US history, constructed to access the mineral riches of the Rocky Mountains, when fortunes were mined with hand tools and black powder.
Before the train ride, we will stop at a Colorado culinary institution, Beau Jo’s Pizza, famous for its Rocky Mountain-style pies, and excellent beer. Located on the 19th century main street in the town of Idaho Springs, we will enjoy a pizza buffet and salad bar, with vegetarian / gluten-free pizza options available. Beer is available for purchase.
The Details:
- Limited to 39 participants
- Leave the Gaylord at 10:45 MST
- Bring a jacket, mountain weather can vary.
- Closed toe shoes recommended
Fee of $175 covers
- Transportation to and from
- Lunch with soft drinks
- Train ticket
- Souvenir
You cannot go wrong with a trip up to Georgetown and a stop at Beau Jo’s for a truly Colorado experience. You get a feel for the amazing Rocky Mountains, a look into the mining past that shaped this state, and a taste of a Colorado classic! Just be aware these Pizzas can be ridiculously huge (and crazy tasty)! We always take visiting family to one of the Beau Jo’s locations, and you cannot beat the original in Idaho Springs. There’s also a local brewery right next door with grab-and-go, if you’re into that kind of thing.
– Jason Turner
Thanks to the North Denver Metro C++ Meetup for sponsoring the CppCon 2024 Georgetown Loop Railroad Field Trip.