Trees seen from campsite. On day three, we made our way up and over the Continental Divide and into the beautiful meadow just below Hunchback Pass. This trail is often used as an approach for climbing the four 14ers found in the Needle Mountains. Elevations range from 8,000 feet at trailheads to over 14,000 at the peaks. Today well have the opportunity to explore Chicago Basin and potentially hike a 14er, Windom Peak (14,083 ft.) if weather allows. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. With its jagged peaks, mountain sides blanketed with wildflowers, cascading waterfalls and endless creeks, streams and rivers filled with fish, the Weminuche Wilderness is a dream-come-true for backpackers and mountaineers. Donations to this fund go directly to educate wilderness visitors and implement on-the-ground stewardship projects in the Weminuche. Keeping left at the junction, you will continue along the winding bank of the creek as it heads to the southeast, climbing uphill through the forested expanse of the Chicago Basin for 6.7 km. You need at minimum either a soft shell jacket or hard shell jacket for local Ouray based winter courses and programs. There were 12 students and 2 teachers, with student experience ranging from basically nothing to climbing at the local indoor climbing gym, to small excursions to places like Devil's Lake (in WI). This is a very popular area for camping, fishing, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. [emailprotected]. pack up to 7 miles a day, endurance is key. Taking day hikes with your loaded backpack at a local park will help train your legs for the mileage you will do in the mountains. We estimated ~100 trees that we had to go over, under, or around - felt like a tough mudder. I'll be doing this loop this September 2023 except in reverse. This will be the easiest part of the hike and where you'll see the most marmots and mountain goats (they get quite close to you but aren't aggressive at all). These pants dig climbs that take them a few hundred feet off the deck. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). Clearly has not been maintained for a few seasons. Check out our trail access page for more information. The Colorado Trail follows a section of the Continental Divide Trail before following Elk Creek to Molas Trails. The three tallest 14,059 foot Sunlight Peak, 14,084 foot Mount Eolus and 14,087 foot Windom Peak are the most popular climbs, but there are many other peaks offering mountaineering challenges and scenic wonder. Our guides always carry a comprehensive medical kit but it's nice to have your own as well. Remember, wilderness areas prohibit mountain bikes as well as motorized vehicles. From Durango:Reservations should be made in advancethrough the Durango ticket office. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. The best times to visit this trail are July through September. Backpacking from the Train - Official Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge #climbing #mixedclimbing #sanjuans #mountains #ice #icefestival #iceclimb #winter #eureka #climbing_photos_of_instagram #climbice #ice #rockymountains #alpinist #colorado #whorehouse #steepice #climbing_is_my_passion #alpine #optoutside #mountains, Shredding in the San Juans with Guide Jason Denley Please refer to the Short Stop Table (to be added) to determine which train will be stopping at your desired flag stop on the date you will be boarding. My two 15 year olds and I just completed it mid July 2021 and it took us five days. Strangely we didn't see any mountain goats but heard they are normally so persistent that you have to pee on rocks and pack out #2 & all TP in bags that they give for free at the register box. An excellent investment for all of our programs. SILVERTON DEPARTURES:You will be booked on one of the afternoon trips out of Silverton and arrive at Elk Park flag stop about 30 minutes after leaving Silverton. This is an optional item on our programs. The two main access locations are atNeedleton, the entrance to Chicago Basin; andElk Park, access point to the Colorado Trail. For more information on accessing Chicago Basin, the San Juan Mountains and the Weminuche Wilderness area visit our Wilderness Access page here. During its peak period of use (July 4th through Labor Day), Chicago Basin is crowded by wilderness standards, and campsites can be hard to find. Weather remained beautiful, although the white fluffy clouds were building up, and Eventually slugged myself to Windom, catching the last 2 hikers of the day at 1pm. can't surpass this in backcountry experience! We camped in the Chicago Basin, which was about a five hour hike from the train stop including a lunch break. We summitted Windom and saw how crazy the others looked so we went back to base camp in the rain and took a rest day the next day. Waterproof Gore-Tex abrasion resistant polyester uppers with a patented TPU Thermo Tech Application. There are no southbound stops at Needleton for departures from Silverton. The trail is easy to follow but quite steep, ascending 3,000 feet before reaching the basin.Johnson Creek Trail:Beyond the basin, the main trail climbs another 1,400 feet over two miles to Columbine Pass where it meets up with the Johnson Creek Trail, which drops into the Vallecito Creek drainage. Trail to Chicago Basin. This allows you to pick the cheapest days to fly if your trip allows flexibility and score cheap flight deals to Needles. Stuff sacks are a great way to organize your gear in your pack and help to keep things tidy in a variety of ways. Passengers are not permitted to carry firearms on the train. I wouldn't even be able to tell you the way my group and I went up. Backpackers with plenty of time on their hands might hike the Divide Trail north to either Stony Pass or the Highland Mary Lakes area. Trail conditions often change rapidly; please be well prepared! Needleton, Colorado - Activities and Events | San Juan County Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose #5 Excursions, K-28 100th Anniversary Fall Photo Special, Ghost Crawl: Haunted Durango Train Museum Experience, http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/sanjuan/wilderness. The nature back there is unbelievable. We recommend the BUFF for all of our programs as a multi-purpose insulation piece and trendy headgear! To reach Chicago Basin, use the Approach Page. Difficulty - Extremely Strenuous. Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk: Drive to Durango and follow signs to the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The trail from basin up to any of the 4 peaks is impossible to find due to heavy snow coverage still. It spattered at us but wasn't too bad. Chicago Basin area was very pretty, and not too crowded with tents. A good mixture of cardiovascular fitness, muscular fitness, and especially core strength will help you to maximize the potential rewards that are possible on a great climbing trip. The Needle Creek trail begins on the edge of the Weminuche Wilderness and ascends a narrow mountain valley along the banks of its eponymous creek, all the way to Chicago Basin. The turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). Either way, we offer plenty of fixed date trip options to get you out into Colorado's finest wilderness area! We ended up finishing around 5pm on the 5th day, so instead of waiting around for the return train to Durango on day 6, we took the train to Silverton for lunch, then rode the whole return trip to Durango. Beginning August 14, the 8:15am Steam Departure will service Wilderness short stops. We almost made the summit of Mt Eolus but due to more snow along the last 500' we opted not to chance it. Our most popular items are: Whether you are a peak bagger, fly fisherman, avid backpacker, nature lover or all of the above, the Weminuche is a dream-come-true. After adjusting our packs and preparing to hike we begin by hiking up Needle creek into the heart of the Chicago Basin. A great day in one of Colorados most beautiful areas. The top of Columbine Pass is the end of Needle Creek Trail and beginning of Johnson Creek Trail #821, which descends over 3,500 feet in 7 milesto Vallecito Creek. Filter your water again at Twin Lakes and then continue to your mountain of choice. Many hotels offer a free shuttle pickup. There is no southbound wilderness drop offs for Needleton. $76 Cheap Flights to Needles , CA - Expedia.com From there, the Elk Creek Trail heads 9 miles though the Weminuche to a junction with the Continental Divide trail, past iconic peaks of the Grenadier Range including Arrow, Vestal, and the Trinity Peaks. Check out our. Durango Silverton Train - Best Way To Get To The Chicago Basin For the cost of the card, you have helped ensure that trained and well-equipped search and rescue teams will respond should you become lost or in need of rescue and they will not have to incur undue expense due to your emergency. Each year this area receives about 10,000 visitor use days. The trailhead for the Chicago Basin Hike can be found at the Needleton Flagstop along the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. It took us 7 days to complete it. To prevent altitude sickness, pace yourself, drink water, and eat snacks. Needleton Stop Needle Creek Trail: Originating at the former mining camp of Needleton, Needle Creek Trail climbs along an old stage road that follows its namesake seven miles into Chicago Basin. There are many different ways to get involved with our stewardship efforts in the Weminuche Wilderness. Serious Tallis and scree if youre between groups - missed the morning rush window and caught 6 people on their way down. All rights reserved. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Setting out from the trailhead at the Needleton Flagstop, you will cross the bridge over the Animas River and follow the trail as it bends to the southwest. In order to protect the watershed, camping is not permitted within 100 feet (approximately 35 adult steps) of streams or lakes, except as designated or posted. By city ordinance, overnight camping is not allowed in our parking lot. But always be aware of thunderstorms and get an early start when summiting a mountain! I have done this one twice!! Great trail and great mountains. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 9 min to complete. Fortunately, good weather allowed us to summit all 3 peaks in one day-Friday- it can be done if you start hiking early! Aside from its splendid hiking terrain, Chicago Basin also serves as a base camp for mountain climbers intent on scaling summits. Summit 3 Peaks in the Chicago Basin, Durango, Colorado Coming down from hunchback pass we had to climb over or around several (and I mean several) trees that were across the path. We camped at ~9300 ft. If I were to do it again, I wouldve done a few more miles the first day - theres a nice campsite before the first peak. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. United States government. You will have to do some hand-over-hand rock scrambling on these boulders, however you're not in danger of falling off a cliff and there's plenty of choices/routes to take to make it easier for you. Amazing views that are worth the effort. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. At the higher elevations, winter snow can last until early or even mid-July. Recreational livestock are prohibited from being restrained within 100 (35 adult steps) of water. Larger parties must book under one reservation. Chicago Basin - Chicago Basin - abcdef.wiki There were at least 5 if not 6 avalanche debris fields on the Elk creek trail. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Then made my way back down to my camp at 12:30pm, packed up, and hauled butt back to the 3:45pm train, made it to train stop by 3pm. The Radar Pocket cap is packable, durable, and looks great! Its relatively easy to walk over/around them, but be patient and expect a slight delay. North Eolus was an easy transition across. Needle Creek Trail #504 to Chicago Basin, CO Hike Private Messages X Notifications X Replies X Home Home FAQ Contribute Shop Find TrailDEX Filter Areas A to Z Easy Hikes in Season Dog Hikes in Season Plan MapRoute Editor Route CloudRoute Scout Foliage DEX Wildflower DEX Add Publish a Guide Our 3 day 2 night Chicago Basin Backpacking/Trekking trip is an excellent introduction to wilderness trekking, and a great way to see the incomparable Chicago Basin in a relatively short period of time. What a trip! Want to report conditions for this trail? Owing to its easy access via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, its proximity to three of Colorados 14-ers, and its scenic beauty, Chicago Basin is a very popular backpacker destination in the Weminuche Wilderness. Additionally, the trailhead is only accessible via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, so make sure to arrive early and leave yourself plenty of time for the return journey. Parking is $10.00 per day for passenger cars and $15.00 per day for RVs. This is the general newsletter signup form. I realized after spending 30 years in the San Juans, I havent put a dent in the terrain We camped here and summited North Eolus the following day (we were wanting to summit Mount Eolus as well, but once we got to the saddle between the two, Mount Eolus looked way more exposed and precarious). I am curious - does anyone have first hand knowledge of current conditions in Chicago Basin, Columbine Pass, Johnson Creek and Vallecito Trail. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Windom Peak - West Ridge | Route | 14ers.com FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 5 miles to Chicago Basin 8.9 miles to Columbine Pass Minimum elevation: 8,230 feet (Needleton train stop) Maximum/ending elevation: 12,680 feet (Columbine Pass) At a Glance General Information Directions: From Durango, CO: Purgatory Flats Trail #511 to Animas River Trail #675: Drive ~26 miles. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 9 min to complete. For information regarding trail conditions, to acquire a trail map, or to purchase back country insurance (highly recommended), contact the U.S. Forest Service at 970-247-4874. I'll never forget it. Some route finding on the way to the top to Eolus. Multiple airline options exist, and most connections originate from Denver, Phoenix, or Dallas. Chicago Basin 1: Sunlight & Windom Peaks - Greg Willis Guiding and instruction with an AMGA Certified/Trained Guide, Group camping and cooking equipment (tents, stoves, etc. Nearly everyone who comes by Needleton does so via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. the train ride in makes this trail even more epic! Needleton trail from train drop to chicago basin is in pretty good shape except for 2-3 avalanche patches towards the top. The scenery on this tough hike is definitely worth the effort. A required item on the majority of our programs, a baseball cap helps to keep harmful sun off your face. Built for flash-storm protection, the 100% waterproof, super-breathable Helium II weighs an incredibly light 6.4 ounces. Sad to see all the beetle damage. The Outdoor Research Echo Hoody also offers good sun protection. #sanjuanmountainguides #thelocalexperts #ouray #silverton #powderday #powderskiing #mountains #adventure #winter #skimountaineering #skirando #colorado #skitour #getoutstayout #rockymountains #skimo #ski #splitboarding #backcountryskiing #earnyourturns #adventurelife #springskiing #skiingislife #skitouring #optoutside, ICE FEST is this weekend see our website for availability we are so excited to see you there! Chicago Basin comprises the upper portion of the Needle Creek watershed in the Needle Mountains (Colorado), . The leap of faith is surely the hardest move - but to some its optional since the geo marker is lower. Beyond the basin, the main trail climbs another 1,400 feet over two miles to Columbine Pass where it meets up with the Johnson Creek Trail, which drops into the Vallecito Creek drainage. Great trail, unreal views! From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin.
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