Why Is It Called the “Loop”?

While the ride is an out-and-back excursion, the name comes from a remarkable section of track where the railroad literally “loops” over itself at the famous Devil’s Gate High Bridge.

When the line was originally constructed in the 1880s, engineers faced a serious challenge: how to gain nearly 600 feet in elevation in a very short distance through steep, rugged mountain terrain between Georgetown and Silver Plume. Their solution was ingenious. By building a series of curves and a towering bridge, they created a track alignment that allowed trains to spiral upward — effectively crossing over their own path to climb the grade gradually and safely.

The result was both practical and breathtaking. The dramatic crossing at Devil’s Gate High Bridge remains the defining feature of the Georgetown Loop Railroad and a lasting example of 19th-century engineering innovation.

More than a clever name, “The Loop” represents the bold spirit of Colorado’s mining-era railroad builders — and it’s still just as awe-inspiring to experience today.