This is a very popular area for camping, fishing, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. There are two ways to get into the Chicago Basin - a looong hike in from Purgatory or a ride on the Durango Silverton Train. The trail connects Wolf Creek Pass approximately 30 minutes east of Pagosa Springs, CO to Stoney Pass near Silverton, CO by traveling through the rugged beauty of both the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests. Watch for the trail turnoff to the east that crosses two forks of Needle Creek. The Highland Mary Lakes are rated fair for rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout, but keep in mind, like most subalpine lakes, tend to remain frozen until summer. There are some exceptions to this, so if you're low on water (and have a water filter), get water while the creek is accessible. This area was covered in snow when we went in late June, but honestly I think the snow made it easier to ascend. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Take some time here to explore the area surrounding the alpine lakes while also soaking up the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the three nearby fourteeners: Mount Eolus, Sunlight Peak, and Windom Peak. Local: 970.325.4925 Supported by the Weminuche Wilderness Stewardship Fund, the San Juan Wilderness Stewardship Crewprovides a boots on the ground education and stewardship presence in the wilderness to improve access, restore damage, and enhance the visitor experience. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. On day one, between the Elk Park Train Drop Off Trail Head and Beaver Pond, we encountered 3 large debris fields. All participants must read and sign an Assumption of Risks/Liability Waiver and agree to our Reservations and Cancellations Policies. Elk Creek Trail:This trail travels east from the railroad, climbing into the upper reaches of the Needle Mountains. Mechanized means of transport are not permitted (mountain bikes). United States government. The trailhead for the Chicago Basin Hike can be found at the Needleton Flagstop along the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. From Highway 550, the Molas Trail winds its way down 4 miles to the Animas River and the entrance to the Weminuche. some lite scrambling is neccessary. Click here for more information on parking. Check out our. Highly recommend. As more and more Americans head to the backcountry, the fragile high-alpine environments of the Weminuche face numerous threats. Follow the fork east along Needle Creek for approximately 0.75 miles. Difficulty - Extremely Strenuous. epic views, love the goats, we even took a bath in the creek - it was freezing! , this is the most popular backpacking loop in the Weminuche. To prevent altitude sickness, pace yourself, drink water, and eat snacks. Trail: Chicago Basin from Needleton Needleton Elevation: 8,212 ft. Camp Elevation: 11,000 ft. . 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). Mt. From Columbine Pass it is nine miles down to the Needleton trailhead and civilization. The summit provides quite a view of various 14ers, Elk Park basin, Sunlight, Windom, and a couple alpine lakes. This hike covers 34 miles and involves more than 8,000 feet of climbing. Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. Hop aboard to be the first to hear about upcoming events, specials, and train news. As always, being in excellent physical shape is an important component of our our programs. . P.O. Buy a ticket for the train that stops at Needleton and ride the train 2.5 hours (~30 miles) to the Needleton stop. Completed this loop early July 2021. Gain access to the San Juan National Forest and the Weminuche Wilderness for backpacking, day hikes, rafting, and fishing trips via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad during the summer season. To reach Chicago Basin, use the Approach Page. The trailhead for the Chicago Basin Hike can be found at the Needleton Flagstop along the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This pack is well suited for weekend excursions or quick overnight forays when you are toting less than 40 pounds. Bring 2-3 pairs depending on the type of trip. The darker the better. Unless you have a current Season Pass there is a freight charge per backpack ($15). If you are making multiple payments, a group leader can book a reservation that other members of the party will call to add with their reservation number. Heading south, the route leads to Hunchback Pass and from here to the upper end of the Vallecito Creek Trail. Click here for more information on parking.SILVERTON:You are invited to park your vehicle at our Silverton Depot on 10th& Cement Streets at no charge. At 6.5 miles you begin the steep climb to Columbine Pass. However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! website belongs to an official government organization in the Don't be afraid of Mr. T. A good pair of wrap around sunglasses are an essential item for all of our trips. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. was designated by Congress in 1975, and expanded by the Colorado Wilderness Acts of 1980 and 1993. with the goal of empowering the local community to give back to our most treasured wilderness. The Continental Divide Trail traverses more than 3,000 miles from New Mexico to Canada, with more than 80 miles within the Weminuche Wilderness. On day two, we encountered an even larger debris field between Beaver Pond and the ascent to the miner's shack. Simple, effective and infinitely adaptable, Original BUFF headwear is the product that started the multifunctional headwear revolution. Book This Failure to have gear loaded by the appointed time could cause you to lose your seats. We loved this trail and would highly recommend! This is a unique experience and adds an interesting start and finish to our trekking trips unlike any other in the US. This part of the trip follows Needle Creek the whole way, albeit reaching the creek is not easy (or advisable) since the trail is often much higher than the creek and there is foliage and steep drop-offs if straying off-trail. DURANGO: Long term parking in Durango is available in our large lot adjacent to the train yards. Below are some approximate driving times if youd like to drive to Durango. The turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). Stopped about 150 feet from the peek to turn around and glad we did - rain rolled in and made the trails very sleek and muddy. A friend and I attempted this horseshoe hike in reverse last weekend (Aug 14). Hiking Colorados Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas: A Guide to the Areas Greatest Hiking Adventures. We followed Bear Creek down to the Rio Grande by following the 4wd road and used our sat phone to arrange for transportation to Silverton. 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 took the train on a Thursday to Needleton, backpacked up too Chicago Basin that night, and allowed for climbing peaks on Friday and Saturday. Our new hooded version of the Filament has the same design as the popular hood-less version and a DWR-treated shell of ultralight 10D Pertex Quantum GL keeps moisture away from premium 800-fill down inside. Great hike! is_redirect && ! #thelocalexperts #backcountryelevated #milliondollartraverse #ouraycolorado, 2022 San Juan Mountain Guides All Rights Reserved | Website by, Peru: Chopicalqui and Yanapaccha Expedition, Nepal: Ama Dablam and Kyajo Ri Expedition. We met others that were completing this 36-40 mile trip as we were walking into the wilderness from Needleton. The tough but stretchy, breathable but wind-resistant Ferrosi fabric stays cool during long approach hikes, moves with you while talus wrangling and high-stepping on the sharp end, and blocks wind during long hours of belaying up high. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 9 min to complete. The trail is always very clear and easy to follow. 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. Check out our trail access page for more information. SPF 15 or higher is recommended. We werent sure about the weather because it had been 80% chance of thunderstorms on NOAA; we got very lucky with lots of sunshine though. The best spot for camping was at Kite Lake, worth waking up to see the sunrise reflected on the lake. wow! #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 #coloradogram #visitcolorado, Be sure to check out @skimagazine and the article by @tesswstrokes for an awesome feature on our hut-to-hut-to-hut adventure, The Million Dollar Traverse!Combining the epic terrain between the @opushut @redmtnalpinelodge and @haydenbackcountry this is a one of a kind trip in the heart of the range. For the "Official" trail, keep hiking up the Needle Creek trail to the head of Chicago Basin at 11,200 feet. Did this route from July 28 to August 3. We covered the .8 miles back to the Needleton bridge in about 20 mins. For more in depth information, check out the. Explore this 60.4-km point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. City of Ouray Ouray Ice Park Ouray Via Ferrata. Next morning at 7:30am I pushed up to Twin Lakes and then up to North Peak of Mt Eolus. pack it in, pack it out. The soft yarn blend will provide a cozy sanctuary throughout winters chill. Chicago Basin is easily spotted as it's where the trees clear out and you're met with a grassy meadow with patches of trees to camp under. Hiking from Twin Lakes to the summit of North Eolus took 2 hours, 45 minutes. Super exciting squeezing through the rocks like a spider goat and once again had the summit all to myself by 11am! Consider supporting Colorado Search and Rescue by purchasing a 1-year or 5-year CORSAR Card. We rode the train from Silverton to the trailhead. Exposure on both sides but beautiful weather. The Weminuche is home to three of Colorados 14ers, Mount Eolus (14,083 ft), Sunlight Peak (14,059) and Windom Peak (14,082 ft), as well as multiple peaks over 13,000 ft. With the continental divide running through the heart of the Weminuche Wilderness, this area is the headwaters for the 5 rivers: Los Pinos (The Pine), Piedra, San Juan and Animas rivers on the west of the continental divide and the mighty Rio Grande river on the east side. Trailhead Location - Needleton Trailhead (Train Stop) or Purgatory Trailhead. When the sun shines brightly on fresh snow in the mountains your eyes will thank you for a quality pair of shades. All livestock feed must be certified weed free. These special areas require the visitor to be mentally and physically prepared to take nature on its own terms and to be able to travel without mechanical transport. Multiple airline options exist, and most connections originate from Denver, Phoenix, or Dallas. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Cell phone service is limited. This 19-mile trail parallels the beautiful Vallecito Creek through the heart of the Weminuche Wilderness. 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. Although the Weminuche is known for its rugged terrain, its ecosystems are fragile. I started at 630am and made my first summit to Mt Eolus at 8am, which was all to myself! If symptoms persist, seek medical aid. 7/19 Bonus Hiking Trail: Chicago Basin/Twin Lakes Trail Camp Elevation: 11,000 ft. Junction Elevation: 11,204 ft. Elevation Total: 204 ft. Mileage Total: 1.9 miles TRIP REPORT: Durango-Silverton Train to Needleton (7/19) Start Time: 9:15am End time . Do not bury it. This hike covers 34 miles and involves more than 8,000 feet of climbing. Backpackers and hunters may arrange for firearms to be transported as freight. High waters can also be the result of afternoon thunderstorms, so be prepared. The Colorado Trail follows a section of the Continental Divide Trail before following Elk Creek to Molas Trails. There are no southbound stops at Needleton for departures from Silverton. It has been our group's favorite for several years. be aware of your place, take what you need! That and all the rocks you have to rock climb so put away those hiking sticks when you get past Twin Lakes. The Colorado Trail passes through the Weminuche from Stony Pass to Molas Pass as it links 486 miles of trails from Denver to Durango. The trails were easy to follow and well marked all the way up to Twin Lakes and on to the top of N. Eolus. Trip, Outdoor Research Filament Hooded Down Jacket, Outdoor Research Stormtracker Sensor Gloves, Longs Peak: Rocky Mountain National Park. Select a pair that fits well, is warm, and is comfortable. Needle Creek to Chicago Basin: Accessed from the Needleton Train Stop or the Animas River Trail, this well-maintained trail climbs steadily up Needle Creek for approximately 5 miles to Chicago Basin. We are early 50s, fairly fit experienced hikers from Durango, and we gave ourselves 5 nights/6 days. We camped at ~9300 ft. View from trail to Sunlight Peak. Wilderness is a place where the imprint of humans is substantially unnoticeable, where natural processes are the primary influencers and human activity is limited to primitive recreation and minimum tools. Again, we did North Eolus, which is the same trail as Mount Eolus (until you reach the saddle). Route. There were at least 5 if not 6 avalanche debris fields on the Elk creek trail. We recommend wide mouth Nalgene (or similar) water bottles for the majority of our programs. From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin. Funds remaining at the end of the year are used to help pay for training and equipment for these teams. Increasing numbers of visitors are disturbing wildlife, impacting trails, polluting creeks and streams, and leaving all kinds of waste behind. Summer brings the certainty of afternoon thunderstorms with increased rain and storms during the monsoon season. Will definitely be back to try again and spend more time here - amazingly beautiful hiking area. Colorado residents and visitors are well served by dedicated volunteer search and rescue teams, but mission costs are often in the thousands of dollars. Dogs - Allowed. From the Needleton drop cross the Animas River on a good footbridge. Buy a ticket for the train that stops at Needleton and ride the train 2.5 hours (~30 miles) to the Needleton stop. My wife and I completed this hike in September of 2016 and loved it. From Columbine Pass it is nine miles down to the Needleton trailhead and civilization. Operating under special use permit in the San Juan National Forest and the Grand Mesa/Uncompahgre National Forest Denali National Park Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Silverton BLM Moab BLM. The most popular hike is to the Chicago Basin. 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. for areas you plan to visit (Chicago Basin, Emerald Lake, Vestal Basin, etc). From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin. Hikers must ford the creek so prepare to get your feet wet. It is obvious where people have camped so be sure to follow suit. Absolutely stunning! Durango has a number of great hotels, suites, and vacation rentals for you to stay in while youre in the area. There are two other peaks very close by and it is possible to do all three in one day. If you are planning a trip to the Chicago Basin area during this time, you will have to share your wilderness experience with quite a few other people. The correct method is bywaving your hands horizontally across your knees. North Eolus was an easy transition across. I summited Windom Peak in July of 2009 with a group from my high school. We arrived at about 11am on July 30th, 2019 at Needleton. Overall a pretty remote and isolated trail with beautiful scenery, clean water everywhere and pristine nature. Arriving at a fork, you will bear left to begin climbing the steep and rugged alpine terrain, eventually arriving at the scenic shores of the Twin Lakes after 1.8 km. A trip to Chicago Basin provides the opportunity to climb three of Colorados 14ers Mt. Molas Lake to Animas River via Molas Trail, Vestal Basin via Colorado and Elk Creek Trail, Stony Pass, ATV Trail 821, and Cinnamon Pass OHV Route. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. And the continuous mountain/valley views are second to none! There are a few small stream crossings and some muddy areas but overall good conditions. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We strongly suggest purchasing aColorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) Card. Advance Registration is required for this program. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. A really incredible trip with unbeatable views! Weve chosen a couple more popular routes to highlight below, but if you study a map, you will see the endless backpacking trails and route possibilities within the Weminuche. From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin. Donations to this fund go directly to educate wilderness visitors and implement on-the-ground stewardship projects in the Weminuche. Stable construction and 2.5-inch thickness offer greater comfort for a full night of sleep, so you won't feel the uneven, rough terrain beneath you. There are a lot of trees down throughout the Johnson Creek and Needle Creek drainages - another hiker counted 155 trees across the trail on the way down from Chicago Basin to Needleton, but it looks like the FS is working their way up, clearing from the bottom up. It was a dream and once in a lifetime trip! Every mountain we encountered was amazing!
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