The Cloud Climbing Railroad
How a daring railroad through the mountains created a town and changed history.
In the late 1890s, the Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railway was conceived as an ambitious project to connect the Tularosa Basin to the timber-rich Sacramento Mountains. The railway climbed over 4,000 feet in elevation from Alamogordo to Cloudcroft, earning it the nickname the "Cloud Climbing Railroad." The route required extraordinary engineering, including numerous switchbacks, curves, and trestles to navigate the steep mountain terrain.
The Mexican Canyon Trestle was one of the most dramatic structures along this route. Spanning a deep canyon, the wooden trestle demonstrated the remarkable engineering capabilities of the era. The railroad not only transported timber from the mountain forests but also brought the first tourists to Cloudcroft, establishing the village as a cool mountain retreat from the desert heat below. The railway operated for several decades before being retired, but the trestle endures as a powerful reminder of Cloudcroft's pioneering origins.
Construction Begins
The Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railway begins construction, carving a route through rugged mountain terrain from the desert floor to the peaks.
Trestle Completed
The Mexican Canyon Trestle is completed, spanning the dramatic canyon. The first trains begin carrying timber and passengers to the newly established village of Cloudcroft.
Tourism Takes Hold
The railroad transforms Cloudcroft into a popular mountain resort destination. Hotels, lodges, and recreational facilities spring up to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
Preserved Landmark
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the trestle is preserved as part of the Trestle Recreation Area, welcoming visitors who come to admire its history and engineering.