Near Montrose in Montrose County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Photographed By Tom Bosse, May 30, 2018

1. Light at the End of the Tunnel Marker

Inscription. Surveyors took daily measurements to ensure that drillers, powdermen, muckers, and haulers stayed on course inching their way toward the valley. Crews at the other end plowed toward the canyon. Using points across the river, as well as in the tunnel, a straight line was maintained 10,000 feet into the canyon wall.

Photo Captions:
Utility lines going into the tunnel provided power for electric lights, and compressed air for the jack hammers. Although these recent innovations made the effort easier, the work was loud, dusty, and demanding.

Surveyors hiked up the slopes of the canyon using measuring tools to maintain straight lines that would determine where excavation should start at each end of the tunnel.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 38° 31.564′ N, 107° 38.955′ W. Marker is near Montrose, Colorado, in Montrose County. Marker can be reached from East Portal Road. Marker is located in the East Portal Campground in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and road is subject to

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winter closing from November to April. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Montrose CO 81401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Building a Dam (a few steps from this marker); Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (approx. 2.6 miles away); Pegmatite Dikes (approx. 2.9 miles away); Early Exploration (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Painted Wall (approx. 5.3 miles away); All Aboard (approx. 7½ miles away); Narrow Path to Prosperity (approx. 7.7 miles away); Working on the Railroad (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montrose.

Also see . . .
1. East Portal & the Gunnison Tunnel. (Submitted on July 16, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. Gunnison Tunnel, Colorado. Re[aired broken link; 10/27/2020 LPG. (Submitted on July 16, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Tom Bosse, May 30, 2018

2. Light at the End of the Tunnel Marker

Marker is on the right.

Gunnison Tunnel Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Bosse

3. Gunnison Tunnel Map

Gunnison Diversion Tunnel and Dam image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Bosse, May 30, 2018

4. Gunnison Diversion Tunnel and Dam

Photographed By Tom Bosse, May 30, 2018

5. Gunnison Diversion Tunnel and Dam

Photographed By Tom Bosse, May 30, 2018

6. Gunnison Diversion Tunnel and Dam

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 16, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.