The Narrows

The Narrows is the most dramatic section of the Royal Gorge where the bedrock walls extend a mere 40' wide and rise 1000' overhead. The challenge builds with the flow as the water has nowhere to go but up forming complex long ten-foot high wave with holes. Generally stay to the center and avoid the reinforced wall along river left that has protruding metal used a reinforcements for the rail bed. The railroad bridge in this section was considered a modern marvel when it was constructed in 1879. Originally, the entire weight of the bridge was supported by three steel A-frames, but it was later fortified by rock and concrete when the train was upgraded from narrow gauge to dual gauge in 1890. The Fishbowl comes at the end of the Narrows where the old funicular tram descends from the rim. At one time tourists could ride this tram down into the gorge but it was severely damage in the 2013 wildfire and is no longer in service.