As the famed Belvoir Ranch west of Cheyenne takes shape as a public recreation paradise, and scheduled to open on July 1, critics say the best part of the 19,000-acre property — called the Big Hole — is difficult to get to because of Union Pacific.
That could be solved by getting a public easement through private property down toward the end of Harriman Road, where it passes through a tunnel beneath Union Pacific railroad tracks, proponents said.
However, nobody should hold their breath waiting for that to happen, Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins told Cowboy State Daily.
The city has asked multiple times for access across or under the Union Pacific Railroad tracks that bisect the ranch property, which the city bought for $5.9 million in 2003, he said.
Requests have included public use of the tunnel which is “big enough to drive a semitruck through," Collins said.
But the railroad refuses to budge, Collins added.
The tracks are essentially “the Great Wall of China” when it comes to getting more access points into Belvoir Ranch, he said.
About 12 miles of hiking and bicycling trails were recently added to the ranch, and permission was also granted for wind turbines to be built there.
This underpass might someday be used to continue the trails at Belvoir Ranch, if Cheyenne can work out an agreement with Union Pacific for allowing its use. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
This tunnel under Union Pacific railroad tracks could provide direct access to the Big Horn section of the famed Belvoir Ranch west of Cheyenne, proponents of the idea say. Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins said the UP won’t allow public access through it. (Courtesy Ron Pinther)
10 Miles To The Big Hole
Laramie County resident Ron Pinther told Cowboy State Daily that he’d love to see an easement through the tunnel, and across a small section of private property on the other side.
He’s a co-owner of the Tom Horn Bar, on Otto Road near Interstate 80.
It’s about 9 miles “as the crow flies” from the Big Hole section of the Belvoir, he said.
The tunnel is perhaps a half mile from what could be a trailhead into the Big Hole, he said, if the property owner on the other side could be convinced to allow a public easement for access.
Otherwise, it’s a long hike or bike ride from the main Belvoir ranch access near the Harriman Road exit off I-80, he said.
If direct access to the Big Horn section could be acquired, it could lead to a “hiking boom” there, Pinther said.
“The Big Hole is right along the Wyoming/Colorado state line. It’s a beautiful area with trees, cliffs and hiking trails,” he said.
Access across the tracks could also directly connect the Belvoir Ranch with a vast public land network of trails on the Colorado side.
Colorado recently built a trail that connects the two, but in a roundabout way, Collins said.
Coming in from a trailhead on the Colorado side, it’s roughly 10 miles to the Big Hole, he said.
Just The Way Things Are
Pinther said that he and others have reached out to Collins about getting access through the tunnel, and hope to meet with the mayor again soon.
Collins said he appreciates their point of view, but doesn’t think much can be done at present.
Even if the property owner on the other side of the tunnel agreed to an easement, that still wouldn’t change the fact that the UP doesn’t want public access there.
The city has been trying to work with the railroad for about six years to get direct access to the Big Hole, he said. Either through the tunnel on Harriman Road, by building an overpass over the tracks, or by some other means.
Collins is holding out hope that “someday” the railroad will agree to access, but he doesn’t see that happening anytime soon.
And he doesn’t think the railroad is the bad guy.
“You have to consider things from their perspective,” Collins said. “They are a freight railroad,” and railroads are vital to the economy and national security.
UP has abiding concerns about public access over or under the tracks, because of liability and public safety issues, the mayor said.
“UP is not excited about having public access over or under the tracks to connect our existing trail system to the Big Hole,” Collins said.
The Belvoir Ranch is expected to open on July 1.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
