Day 1: Needleton -> Chicago Basin Distance: 7.4 mi Elevation: 3,773 Time: 4:40 hrs Day 2: Chicago Basin -> Sunlight & Windom Peaks Distance: 6.2 mi Elevation: 4,352 Time: 12:40 hrs Day 3: Chicago Basin -> Needleton Distance: 7.4 mi Elevation: -3,773 Time: 3:30 hrs Colo 14er Rank: #39, #32 Difficulty: Sunlight - class 4, Windom - class 2+ + We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Come learn with the best Want to learn more about our current projects, ways to stay involved and news from the San Juan Mountains Association? Took the train from Durango and got off at Needleton. Be sure to bring any necessary equipment and supplies for a long journey into the mountains. Unless you have a current Season Pass there is a freight charge per backpack ($15). Built for flash-storm protection, the 100% waterproof, super-breathable Helium II weighs an incredibly light 6.4 ounces. There are two other peaks very close by and it is possible to do all three in one day. In 2020, SJMA wilderness volunteers rose to the challenge of skyrocketing visitation by patrolling busy trails to promote Leave No Trace principles, distribute REStop bags to prevent human waste from polluting the backcountry, clean graffiti from rocks, and to remove trash from our trails. The alpine meadows are full of blooming wildflowers in late July and August. We did this trip in September. Visitors to Chicago Basin typically ride the train from Durango or Silverton, get off at Needleton, and hike about 6 miles . The trainride from Durango to Needleton is approximately 2.5 hours. You must flag the train to signal to the engineer that you wish to board. We had a lot of rain, starting everyday around 1 pm and lasting for a couple of hours. Well marked past the Twin Lakes. This trail travels east from the railroad, climbing into the upper reaches of the Needle Mountains. City of Ouray Ouray Ice Park Ouray Via Ferrata. Vallecito Creek is challenging to ford, and is especially dangerous during the spring runoff (mid May through Mid June) but also prepare for afternoon thunderstorms throughout the summer. for areas you plan to visit (Chicago Basin, Emerald Lake, Vestal Basin, etc). Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers. can't surpass this in backcountry experience! Trail to Chicago Basin. Durango has a number of great hotels, suites, and vacation rentals for you to stay in while youre in the area. 1-877-872-4607 Sign Up To Receive Our Emails The day after that we hiked out. Bezoekers van Chicago Basin meestal een rit op de trein van Durango of Silverton, uitstappen bij Needleton, en wandel ongeveer 6 mijl op Needle Creek naar het bassin zelf. ) or https:// means you've safely
We didnt take the train so we started at Molas Lake and walked to Needlestop. Super exciting squeezing through the rocks like a spider goat and once again had the summit all to myself by 11am! I have done this one twice!! is_redirect && ! 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. However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. Summited at 10:30am. Online booking is not available at this time. Waterproof Gore-Tex abrasion resistant polyester uppers with a patented TPU Thermo Tech Application. Groups can not exceed 15. The trails were easy to follow and well marked all the way up to Twin Lakes and on to the top of N. Eolus. While it did have some beautiful parts, Particularly at the top of the Continental Divide and Columbine Pass, I was disappointed by the avalanche debris in the first 6 miles and the lack of trail maintenance on the section below hunchback pass to the Vallecito Bridge. From Columbine Pass it is nine miles down to the Needleton trailhead and civilization. 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. 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. There are plenty of flies and bugs along the trail, so dont forget the bug repellent. You may want to drop off the rest of your party and gear closer to the train and then park the car. Possession of motorized equipment or motorized means of transport are not permitted. Choose your footing wisely here as rocks will shift and fall away. The airport is a 20 minute drive from our office. 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. Small amounts of debris from avalanche on the Needles creek trail but easy to navigate. During the Summer of 2023, San Juan Mountain Guides will be offering the Chicago Basin Backpacking trip only by Private Arrangement. NOTE that on an average summer day, 50 people will disembark from the train to head to Chicago Basina beautiful, but crowded, backpacking destination. As it typically goes in Colorado, just as you think you are accomplishing something big, a trail runner comes in from Purgatory trail that morning and does all four WHILE finding the energy to run back 16 miles. P.O. DURANGO DEPARTURES: Gear must be loaded in the boxcar 45 minutes prior to departure to allow you to be in your seatsbefore the final boarding call. The leap of faith is surely the hardest move - but to some its optional since the geo marker is lower. As a visitor, you must be able to exist with what you can take in (and out) and rely on your own outdoor skills. some lite scrambling is neccessary. 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. I carried 2 liters but could've gotten away with 1 bottle. The boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness is 2.7 miles up the trail, the fishing is fantastic. I live at sea level and definitely wished I did more training for altitude because it was rough. We did North Eolus instead, which had more of those large granite boulders that took us to the top. The trail is approximately 3 miles, one way, but can be made into a 7.8 mile loop via a segment of the Continental Divide Trail to Cunningham Gulch Trail. As with all high-altitude areas, storms can move in rapidly, bringing severe wind, lightning, rain, snow, or hail at any time of the year. We saw deers, elk, mountain goat, beavers. Again, a lot of trees were down that we had to circumnavigate. The Colorado Trail passes through the Weminuche from Stony Pass to Molas Pass as it links 486 miles of trails from Denver to Durango. Our Outside Magazine and Mens Journal Gear of the Year award-winning storm shell is engineered for fast-and-light alpine climbs and all-day backcountry tours. Again we exchanged pleasantries as we had the last two days and Bob and I then made our way across the bridge and over to the railroad tracks that would carry us to Silverton. @liam_doran_outdoors Here, you will continue along the trail as it passes through the forest for 1.5 km, meeting up with the banks of Needle Creek, before arriving at a junction in the trail. People may be added to a reservation but will need to supply the reservation number and let reservations know that they are adding to an existing reservation.From Flag stops:Unless you purchased your round trip tickets in advance, flagstop tickets originating from either Needleton or Elk Park must be purchased from the conductor (exact fare) at the point of origin on a space-available basis. This time wasn't as bad as 1993, where my ancient A-frame tent blew down, but I'd suggest doing it in August for longer days and less rain. The catwalk is obvious trailwise, a little intimidating but shouldn't be something you stop you in your tracks, just take your time. When the sun shines brightly on fresh snow in the mountains your eyes will thank you for a quality pair of shades. We had been told by the forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields in the basin. 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. Do not bury it. Be prepared for a lot of bugs and rain. What a trip! The best times to visit this trail are July through September. 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. Legendary San Juan local @sbrunso said it best: The traverse showed me things I had never seen before. The boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness is 2.7 miles up the trail, the fishing is fantastic. DURANGO: Long term parking in Durango is available in our large lot adjacent to the train yards. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. Last section of Sunlight Peak. From Highway 550, the Molas Trail winds its way down 4 miles to the Animas River and the entrance to the Weminuche. From your camp in Chicago Basin, hike northeast toward the end of the basin on the great trail - 1. The elevation is what makes this so hard. There are two ways to get into the Chicago Basin - a looong hike in from Purgatory or a ride on the Durango Silverton Train. It was quite a workout, but well worth it. Check out our. Ended up summiting North Eolus instead. Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land. https://youtu.be/2iDmEsqbobA. We met others that were completing this 36-40 mile trip as we were walking into the wilderness from Needleton. From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin. Train to Needleton stop. Please remember, Colorado weather can change in an instant, so always be prepared for heat or cold, rain or snow! Cairns were well-marked going up and thought I was at the chimney twice, but once you see it, you know. To prevent altitude sickness, pace yourself, drink water, and eat snacks. If symptoms persist, seek medical aid. Pack out and properly dispose of all trash. Lots of people in the Chicago Basin, no one in the Johnson creek or Vallecito creek area. Please contact Special Handling in the Reservation Office at 970-385-8832 to make arrangements. This allows you to pick the cheapest days to fly if your trip allows flexibility and score cheap flight deals to Needles. 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. Near 11,200', turn left . The card will allow reimbursement to county sheriffs for costs incurred on a mission. Even took a quick dip in the lake because it was so hot out! Too many people and not enough camp spots. We covered the .8 miles back to the Needleton bridge in about 20 mins. Spruce beetle infestations and avalanche falls have led to thousands of downed trees that block trail access and affect local ecosystems. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. This popular trail leads to beautiful, high subalpine lakes nestled meadows blanketed with wildflowers in late summer with sweeping views of the majestic Grenadier Range. The 8:15am Silverton Diesel excursion will service all short stops for wilderness access through August 13. Synthetic socks area must for all outdoor activities. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. On day four, we hiked along the 4wd road to Pole Creek and picked up our ride there. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). We made the decision to cut our trek short. A midlayer for anything from ski tours to alpine ascents, the CoEfficient Hoody features Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency fleece with a gridded interior for increased wicking performance and added breathability. Wear proper hiking boots with good support for this rugged hike. Simple, effective and infinitely adaptable, Original BUFF headwear is the product that started the multifunctional headwear revolution. We opted for the Durango Silverton train, and I booked tickets back in April to get us choice seats in the first-class Knight Sky car. Backpackers and hunters may arrange for firearms to be transported as freight.
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