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"The Hill" also called "Hell Hill" refers to the section of
the original Moffat Railroad that made its arduous way up
the mountainside and crossed the Continental Divide or
"Devil's Backbone" through Rollins Pass utilizing the 19th
century Rollinsville and Middle Park Wagon Road.
The Moffat Railroad is an example of how David H. Moffat,
in spite of incredible financial hardships, realized his
dream of driving a railroad line over
"The Top of the World." Moffat began the line westward
from Denver to Hot Sulphur Springs in April of 1903.
It was constructed to provide access to the west side
of a proposed 2.6-mile tunnel under Rollins Pass at the
9,960-foot level. The line was completed in just a little
over two years in June of 1905. The route required the
boring of 33 small tunnels on a 2% grade along South
Boulder Creek and on a 4% grade over Rollins Pass.
Although intended for three or four years' use, the
"Over the Hill" route served as the main line until 1928,
when the six mile Moffat Tunnel was finally completed
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