2013-12-12_REVISION - C1982056 (12)

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finds. Once defined, resources were recorded on OAHP forms. A handheld Trimble GeoXT 6000 and Garmin 60CSx GPS units were used to record site and isolated find locations. All GPS readings were georeferenced to UTM meters and NAD 83 (WAAS corrected to 2- to 5 -m accuracy). All field notes, maps, and digital photographs are on file at the MAC office in Eagle, Colorado. RESULTS During this inventory, one segment (5RT3259.1) of a newly recorded spur of the historic Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (5RT1396) was recorded. MAC recommends 5RT3259.1 as not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Site 5RT3259.1 Site Description. This site is a spur of the historic Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (5RT1396). The segment measures 11,486 ft (2.18 mi) long by 50 ft (15 m) wide, is oriented generally northeast- southwest and is situated along a slight west - facing slope and a slight southeast - facing slope between Fish Creek to the west and Foidel Creek to the east. Aspect varies. Surface sediments consist of brown clay alluvium mixed with sand regolith. An outcrop of sandstone is located just southeast of the northern portion of the site. The site contains native vegetation, consisting of dense sagebrush, mixed grasses and forbs, and undisturbed deposition. Ground surface visibility ranges from 10 to 40 percent. The nearest water to the south end is Foidel Creek to the south, and the nearest water to the north end is an intermittent drainage, located about one - quarter mile to the northwest, that flows north to Fish Creek. Fish Creek is a north- flowing permanent tributary of Trout Creek, which empties into the Yampa River located about eight miles to the north. The railroad is currently in use in the project area as the Union Pacific Railroad and consists of steel rails, spikes, and footings, along with wooden ties, on top of a rocky berm. The rocky grade, made up of imported angular small cobbles, measures 3 to 4 ft high. Thirteen features, all culverts, were observed. The northernmost culvert extends 85 in to the east of the grade and 114 in to the west. The pipe, which itself is modern, has a 24' /2 -in diameter. The other 12 culverts, present along the length of the segment, are similar in nature. This segment generally follows the same elevation with a slight drop in elevation toward the north end. Modifications have consisted of maintenance to the tracks and berm and replacement of the culverts. Dates are unknown. Modern barbed wire fencing is located about 18 ft from the edge of the grade on both sides of the railroad and marks the edge of the railroad easement. These fences are parallel to the segment for its entire length. The railroad in this region, known as the Moffat Road, was part of the Denver, Northwestern, & Pacific Railway, founded in 1902, and in 1912, this railway was reorganized as the Denver and Salt Lake Railroad (Church et al. 2007:Table 38). This line reached Craig by 1913. Then, in 1947, the railroad became the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (DRGW.net 2013). The 102.9 -mile standard -gauge section between Bond (milepost 128.8) and Craig (milepost 11