We made it to Chicago Basin and I made it to the "saddle" of Sunlight peak before talking myself out of going up the rest of the way (regretting it to this day). It was nice to know that we had a day off of hiking coming up tomorrow, at least for Lisa anyways. It didnt rain extremely heavily at any time, but it was just so damn frequent. Physically, I did pretty well on this hike. As another hiker had told me earlier today, there were a lot of rodent holes in this area, and I could see mice running around everywhere. To board at a flagstop, you must be on the east side of the tracks. As the evening progressed, we saw several deer both near our camp and off in the distance. Thanks for the trip report, I had originally planned just on Chicago Basin but will now do the whole loop after seeing your report and talking to the forest service rangers. We used a Sawyer Squeeze water filter. PS. Did this route from July 28 to August 3. Yet another day we found ourselves traversing a pass in bad weather. The train showed up about 5-10 minutes late, but was a welcome sight nonetheless. It was only 11:45, so we had 3:45 to wait. Avalanche debris was cleared. My breakfast today was a very hearty helping of granola and almonds (about 800 calories worth), and some dried strawberries. The names of surrounding landmarks included Stormy Gulch and Storm King Peak, and now I understood why. NOTE: As of 2021, we have been informed that you cannot board the train in Silverton and get dropped off at Needleton. Some streams had a lot of flash flood debris jammed up in certain points, more so than wed seen in other areas. Parking is available at the Silverton Depot at no charge. 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. They can be a lifesaver on a long hike. You could see burnt trees the entire train ride, so I guess its a pretty real threat. By the time we reached the lake, the peaks around us were completely engulfed by the clouds. They must not have found much in this one and abandoned it. is to leave an itinerary with a responsible person back home, as well as a time and date when they should call for help if they dont hear from you. There is no road access to either the Elk Park or Needleton trail access points. Trains run daily, with wilderness access available during summer months. Required fields are marked *. Caltopo is pretty awesome if you havent used it already. Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). The water in Elk Creek was super clear, so I didnt have to pre-filter any of it before using my Steri-Pen Opti UV water purifier. Route Chicago Basin to Needleton train stop. Needless to say, our rain gear would be used heavily on this trip. Its also a good idea to drink lots of water (more so than at sea level). Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. Looking for a 40-60 mile, week trip. At 36 miles in length, this trip would likely span four or five days for average hikers, and it offers the unique ability to ride the Durango-Silverton train to access the trail. All in all beautiful scenery and a great hike. Again, a lot of trees were down that we had to circumnavigate. We didn't want to risk going up and over Hunchback, down Vallecito, up Johnson Creek, over Columbine Pass and into Chicago Basin. 2. Thanks for your support you ROCK!. This was $90 each person for a round trip ticket, plus $10 to each to haul your backpack. At mile 4.25 or so, there were some nice camping spots in the meadow. Have a good hike! I figured more people would be out here doing the full loop like we were doing, but that clearly wasnt the case. We didn't. Windward_Coug. The San Juan mountains are notorious for being snowy and the best time is probably mid July to Mid September. Pack your food in a bear sling or bear canister. This was comical, yet useful information at the same time. I meandered around the lake a while and snapped some pictures before heading back to camp. The trail wasnt too steep most of the way up this morning. Small amounts of debris from avalanche on the Needles creek trail but easy to navigate. I was rewarded with an amazing view of the Weminuche Wilderness, unobstructed by clouds for the first time all week. It was slippery and a little scary in the rain. instead of the 7:30AM train which stopped at Needleton. I wonder how they get to their homes, since there are no roads anywhere near here. If you found my trip report useful, please dont hesitate to leave a comment! The trail flattens out at the basin below Columbine Lake and once you arrive you're in for a real treat. Hi Ryan, Thats definitely too early in the season. Even though I initially didnt want to build a fire, I was really glad to have it going now. 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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. We passed 2 guys who had asked us how far Roell Creek was, but I wasnt familiar with that one. It was almost comical how many people waved at us as the train chugged through town. By now, there were clouds brewing in all directions, but nothing serious yet. The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. Any way to access this trail without riding the train? But there would be no sleeping in tomorrow morning though, because we were off to the Great Sand Dunes National Park! The Twin Lakes were still in the shadows, as the sun had not yet risen high enough to illuminate it. Its easy to explore the Colorado wilderness from the Durango train. Actually, mid May. Had never seen so many mountains (we're from OK). Heres my caltopo map of the Elk Park/Needleton hike: There are no fees or permits needed to hike or camp in the Weminuche Wilderness. Most of our clothing was wet, including our backpacks and other gear, so we finally had a chance to dry them out some. However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! Things open up a bit after this pond and there are some meadows to camp in if you were so inclined. The best spot for camping was at Kite Lake, worth waking up to see the sunrise reflected on the lake. Really, it shouldnt be called a creek, but a river instead. I used to do that, but it gets expensive to print out those big maps all the time, especially for places I likely wont return to for years. Share Followers 0. Back, finally! Farther downstream revealed a tall but tiny waterfall before the land leveled out near the lake. Since there are no fires allowed in Chicago Basin or the rest of the Needle Creek drainage, and the fact that I was planning on climbing in morning, we called it an early night and went to bed shortly after sundown. When youre leaving from Durango, youll need to have your gear in the boxcar at least 45 minutes before departure. Looking up, it looked very easy and straight forward. I can use train but according to DSNGRR schedule, their trains stops EITHER in Needlton OR in Elk Park, but not in BOTH. There are also sections with loose pebbles where youll want good traction. After checking our gear and getting set up, we were on our way. This is the beaver pond that people often reference when hiking this section of trail. We woke up today at 5:30 and began to slowly pack up camp. Another option (which you should probably do anyway!) Lower elevations and farther south, definitely no snow and the spring melt off is going to be done by then. Lots of flowers, waterfalls, and views. It was eerie and mesmerizing at the same time. We saw very little traffic through our area where we camped, despite being right next to the trail. I took the driest looking campsite I could find, which wasnt saying much. . This was worth the trip alone and something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime! It felt good to be hiking today its amazing what a little sunshine can do. Hey Trey, Its been many years since I did this hike so pardon my memory here. Next I found myself on the saddle below the approach to Windom Peak. Thanks for sharing. By the time we were leaving the treeline behind, foul weather had returned. Theres also a Deuter backpacking pack thats a standard size, if youre taller than I am! If you are open to suggestions, maybe have a look at the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico. In addition to us, there was also a group of 2, 3, and 4 other hikers who also got off the train. This is where Eldorado Lake drains off the mountainside and down to the Miners Cabin area we passed earlier today, Looking up at 13,627ft White Dome from the Eldorado Lake drainage. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 10 min to complete. 5h 16m. Overall a pretty remote and isolated trail with beautiful scenery, clean water everywhere and pristine nature. I hung out up here a while longer before deciding to head down around 10am. Within the first mile, we encountered a snake on the trail. Past that meadow, the trail begins to climb past the treeline. Prueba esta ruta de punto a punto de 37,3-millas cerca de Silverton, Colorado. Recent avalanche activity over the winter/spring created several debris fields that required us to do some significant trailblazing. Black flies were a pain the whole week. Its relatively easy to walk over/around them, but be patient and expect a slight delay. The only stop on the southbound trail in the afternoon is Elk Park. Some of the rocks were covered in ice making them extremely slippery too, so I had to be very careful once I neared the top. Next stop: Wilderness. One guy stopped and said Whoa, what are you doing going up that? Soon enough, wed be overtaken by the unavoidable fog. The benefit is being able to skip the train and park at the Lime Mesa TH. After driving around town, we realized that there was zero parking available anywhere. Fog billowed from distant peaks, and it was pretty dark around me as well now. And what a campsite that would be, killer views! On the Elk Park to Needleton loop, the emergency outs are limited. The second day we did ~13 miles which included two peaks with kite lake in between. Before reaching the trails down to Kite/Eldorado Lakes, we had to hike over a 100ft rocky ridge, just as the clouds looked their worst. To close the loop I have to get from Needleton fo Elk Park (6.5mi). Still, I was glad to have spent the night at Eldorado Lake. As we waited by the tracks, one of the hikers we were talking to in the shack was showing another guy his sleeping pad. Interesting views in the upper Chicago Basin area. This route climbs 8,523 ft with a max elevation of 12,843 ft then descends -9,174 ft. Local Trail Association At the bridge over New York Creek, there was a waterfall right there along the trail.. Animas River, from the bridge at the Needleton train stop. Coming down Columbine Pass into Chicago Basin? I am going in Aug 2017 and want to make sure to get a good map. The weather started clearing up after about mile 4. They were all well marked but took extra time to navigate. The sun was shining on the Twin Lakes now, and it was beautiful. There were 2 large pines growing 3 feet apart, creating a dry spot large enough for our tent, all out gear, places to sit, and more. As always, questions and comments are welcome! No hot dogs tonight, maybe night 3. After being in the rain all week, we were still getting rained on during the train ride back. Get around Durango in style with rental vehicles. Sure enough, they appeared at the top of the trail heading down to our camp from the main trail. Morning of day 2, climbing up the Colorado Trail, Going up a funky section of the Colorado Trail, below the Miners Cabin. Fortunately it was all downhill, so we could cover some serious ground, which I assumed would be at the expense of my knees. we get old because we stop hiking" on the back. Learn more about the wildlife in the area. The Durango-Silverton railroad heading north to Elk Park. My group did it in 5 days, but I would recommend giving yourself 6 or 7 so you aren't having to push yourself to get to the train on time. That is, of course, after hot meal and long hot shower! You can board the train for wilderness access in Durango or Silverton. After leaving Chicago Basin, the trail was actually kind of boring compared to the rest of our hike. I learned this the hard way when hiking around Snowmass Lake last year. There are a lot of down trees and we had rain and some route finding to cross streams. My group is collectively only able to go last week of May/first week of June. This was a class 3 in my opinion. He discourses on his own mortality, about getting too old to have such adventures, and striking your own path in life while you still can." We only had to wait 30 minutes before suiting up. I hope your backpacking trip is just as epic as ours was. In the morning, I headed down to the railroad, and caught the train to Silverton, then rode back to Durango. Elk Park-Needleton Loop. Browse different rides & seasonal events. It even had some rails leading in and out of it. This was our third trek on this trail. Please be aware that reservations can only be made from Durango and Silverton originations. After 6 days of hiking, we couldnt wait to get to the hotel. These guys didnt seem as threatening though. The trail leading down to Kite Lake from the CDT, View of Kite Lake, before it disappeared in the growing fog. Also, A creek ran through the area and created an interesting looking gorge that I wish I had more time to check out, but we really wanted to get to camp right now. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The altitude on this backpacking loop varies from around 8,000 to nearly 13,000 feet above sea level. Once we reached a flat area around 11,650, there were a good amount of campsites scattered about. Were planning to do this trip in September 2022 and Ive got a couple of questions for you. Miles Hiked 5.7 (summit Windom Peak starting from camp in Chicago Basin) The weather looked like it was holding out as we neared the top, but it looked like it could turn bad at any moment. drops you off in the middle of the wilderness (no car access) and do a loop that is absolutely beautiful. We passed many more campsites along the trail shortly after leaving our camp this morning. Recommended Posts. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. My knees were holding up very well so far this trip and I figured, why not? Twin Lakes, still waiting for early morning light to hit tis waters. It looked like a nice spot, close to the water, but the views werent excellent. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. I love being above the treeline, and I was excited to hike today. 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. As we gained elevation, the Animas River became more and more impressive. Check out my AWESOME DIY stealth camper van build project! They ran downhill and out of sight, and I kept moving. Mojave-Sonoran Trail (2021) Youll be hiking in a wilderness area. The skies were fairly clear when I woke up at 5:30 this morning, but Ive grown weary of the weather in the Weminuche Wilderness at this point. Oregon Desert Trail (2022) *Coming Soon Where did you get the map? The trail follows Elk Creek, and I believe it was called the Elk Creek Trail. We saw a few more deer throughout the day, more snowshoe hare, and even a weasel. The train kept on going though, as this one wasnt scheduled to stop here. It was extra sunny during the day, and there were thunderstorms most evenings. It sounds funny, but for some reason hey turned and ran when I did that and never came back. We had to stand guard for a while to make sure they didnt walk right into our camp. Are there fishing opportunities along this route? There were a few pockets of snow tucked away here and there, but nothing too large. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. The third day we hiked ~11 miles, starting with 2 miles downhill and then 7 miles to the top of columbine pass and then 2 miles down to camp at Chicago basin. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). However, to hike this trail as I did, you will need to secure a train reservation through the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Arriving via a coal-powered train on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, this excursion into the dramatic Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado gets off to a unique start. There was only one other campsite occupied the we could see in the area, so it wasnt too crowded. Miles Hiked 10.4 Hiking through Vallecito Basin on our way up Columbine Pass. After taking some great photos near the lake, I started heading down. The trail follows the 44 road past the lake, and then winds towards the trail leading up to Hunchback Pass. During the summer months, May-October, adventurers can access the wilderness from the Durango train. Bob Marshall. What a morale booster it was. Great backpacking experience!! So much for being packed. Your email address will not be published. There was a snowshoe hare, or multiple hares, that I kept seeing as I gathered wood. 2/21/22 12:49pm. So, they suggested to take train from Needleton to Silverton, wait for 1.5h and then return back to Elk Park for the price of full ticket Durango-Silverton . I felt a few drops of rain just as the trail leaves the Twin Lakes area and dips back into Chicago Basin. After climbing about a third of the way up to the CDT, I hit a switchback, which I gladly used the rest of the way up. Without going closer, theres no way of knowing what the rest of it looked like. Wed been in Colorado a week now, doing other cool stuff like the Colorado National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park, Denver & Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park, Telluride, etc. The skies did not look good and I was not sure whether or not I would be climbing tomorrow. We played leap frog with the other groups of hikers most of the day as we passed them on their breaks and vice versa. I like having dry gear! Early morning at the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad station. I feel like my extra efforts in training before this trip really made the difference in my knees. The Elk Park to Needleton backpacking loop near Silverton, Colorado, covers over 40 miles and features stunning mountain vistas. There is no road access to either the Elk Park or Needleton trail access points. Lisa was still far below me, and the other hikers told her to hike directly to her right a ways until she hit the switchbacks, as they had a clear view from above us. We didnt take the train so we started at Molas Lake and walked to Needlestop. I was awestruck with the beauty of those mountains. We saw several deer and prairie dogs before getting into the mountains. Sometimes 2 to a flower. We were on the trail at 7:30, and saw a few more goats as we made our way out of Chicago Basin. Highlights were kite lake, columbine pass, and Chicago basin. Straddling sections of the infamous Continental . Or are there other routes you could r commend for some stream and lake fishing? This entry was posted on August 29, 2013. Soul Rider. Todays hike will take us the rest of the way up the Elk Creek drainage along the Colorado trail, where well hit the Continental Divide Trail, or CDT. Im interesting in making this same trip this year, and was wondering if you knew when the optimal season is? The Elk Park to Needleton loop in the Weminuche Wilderness, to be precise. Length: 7.9 mi Est. It seems that most people in Chicago Basin came from the Needleton stop, hiked here, and turned around and went back the way they came. Every mountain we encountered was amazing! Of course, this is contingent on cooperating weather. I chucked some rocks and shouted at them, but theyd just walk 5 feet away and stare back at us. We were able to cross the creek by hopping rocks and logs, just as we were able to with every other stream crossing on this trip. Thats why, if you come from a lower elevation like us, I recommend easing yourself into it while youre preparing for the Elk Park to Needleton hike! Lisa was quite scared here, and it took a lot of coaxing to get her to move. My wife and I completed this hike in September of 2016 and loved it. The people were yelling at them and throwing rocks to try and scare them away, but the goats were pretty stubborn. The weather was once again threatening to rain as I made it to the top, finally sitting up on the CDT. Of course, now it starts to rain for the first time today. Thanks for sharing this one. Swampy, muddy areas where your foot sinks ankle deep in mud are also likely, as well as multiple creek crossings. Looking back up the way I just came down from Windom Peak. I only saw a steep trail consisting of loose rock. Given the popularity of Kite Lake, being right next to a 44 road just outside of the wilderness boundary, I pretty much had my mind set on Eldorado. Not too bad, but this was definitely not a class 2+ as described on 14ers.com. The stars were barely visible now that the morning light was fast approaching, but this was the most Id seen of stars the entire trip. The ride is slow and sooty and other than the crying kids that overpopulated our car, the ride really was wonderful. Just import my GPX file and then you can print it out. Otherwise, you can order a big map from mytopo.com. There was a new amazing view after every turn. I was following a GPX track on my GPS of another person who had hiked this loop, and his track led me off trail a little bit. They didnt seem afraid of humans at all. We headed down towards Kite, watching as the fog grew more and more around us. After 3 hours, we were finally back in Durango. For some reason, the mileage the GPS reports to me in the field is always more than the mileage it gives me at home when I am reviewing the final data. Once I got a little closer to the drainage, I could see the water flowing through a narrow gorge carved into the rock. In good weather it should not be a problem. I didnt want to push Lisa too much in the first few days so I think the plan for days 1 and 2 were pretty good. One of the things that makes this loop so special is that the trailheads can both be reached via the Silverton-Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad, a tourist train pulled by a steam locomotive that has been used in dozens of . We departed about 15 minutes late, and slowly made our way out of Durango. After crossing the bridge over the Animas River to the train tracks on the other side, we spotted an abandoned shack. From above, I spotted a deer down below on the trail to Kite Lake. This hike is definitely a good one! I was happy we brought along puffer jackets and rain coats. It rained a little very briefly when I got back, then was party sunny the rest of the day with only a few intermittent showers. After about 20 minutes of hiking, I ran into my first mountain goats of the day. I dont trust the skies and just assume it will rain later today. Sad to see all the beetle damage. There is no cover up here by Eldorado Lake, which sits well above the treeline at 12,300ft. This snowshoe hare looks as if it could shoot lasers from its eyes, Campsite along the Elk Park trail, around 10,300ft. Lisa spent the morning chasing away mountain goats. Columbine Pass and Chicago Basin probably were the highlights of the trip -- incredibly high and scenic alpine country. However, Im sure you could find a clearing to put a tent somewhere. This is a popular trail for birding and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. You would think that they would just find another place to hang out with no people nearby, but they kept trying to make their way down to our area. The bridge at Vallecito Creek, near Johnson Creek, is still good. I dont know which to trust, but it was a long day regardless. Did the 38.6 mile loop from Elk. All of our gear was dry and life was good. I am curious - does anyone have first hand knowledge of current conditions in Chicago Basin, Columbine Pass, Johnson Creek and Vallecito Trail. Trail Name - Elk Park/Needleton Loop Location - Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan National Forest, CO Park Type - National Forest, Wilderness Area Fees & Permits - None Length Of Time Hiked - 6 days, 5 nights Trail Type - Semi loop - Train drops you off and picks you up Miles Hiked - 48 Trail Difficulty - 8 Complete Weminuche Wilderness Photo Gallery | Weminuche HD Video. Amherst and Organ mountains in the background. More mountain goats as I leave the Twins Lake area. I got injured jumping off the bridge there, so we couldn't complete the hike north over hunchback pass, and down Elk creekwe were kinda bummed. Now through this little plateau area, the trail starts heaving down pretty quick.