A mine along the trail leading down into Chicago Basin. I have done this one twice!! Many jokes were cracked regarding the stench of ones self or others in their group. The weather was holding out all morning, shine shining and blue skies. Required fields are marked *. Try this 60.4-km point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. Everywhere along the horizon, fog could be seen rising from the mountains. Id say there were about 20 people total here waiting for the train. Once I got a little closer to the drainage, I could see the water flowing through a narrow gorge carved into the rock. If we werent wet and hungry, I might have stopped to check it out further, but again, we were on a mission to find camp. Soon enough, wed be overtaken by the unavoidable fog. Again, a lot of trees were down that we had to circumnavigate. It was the kind of terrain, like sand, that feels like you take one step back for every two steps forward. Lisa had a bit of trouble last year in the Maroon Bells when we hiked the Four Pass Loop, and I may have had a slight headache that first day as well. The map in my trip report is generated from a wordpress plugin, where I uploaded my GPX file of the hike. My GPS said we did 16 miles today, including going up Hunchback Pass, but later when I reviewed the data for this trip it calculated the day at 14.5 miles. I headed up and made good time moving through here as it was pretty easy. Lisa really wanted a fire, and although I knew we could get one going, but I didnt want to go through the effort of gathering wood only to have it rain again . At Twin Lakes, the terrain is a bit less hospitable, and fewer campsite options with all the rocks and stuff. Most were quick to check out the shack as we did, so the cinder block and wood plank benches filled up fast. Getting close to the top of Hunchback Pass. Our morning routine is a little more polished now, and we were on the trail by 7am. I learned this the hard way when hiking around Snowmass Lake last year. This was $90 each person for a round trip ticket, plus $10 to each to haul your backpack. All we could do is move downhill as quickly as possible, and after descending another 1500 feet or so, all was well again. Learn more about the wildlife in the area. So much for being packed. Physically, I did pretty well on this hike. The final approach of Columbine Pass was pretty steep, but manageable. We walked 44 miles vs the 36 listed in the app. It has a mesh frame that holds the weight of the pack slightly off your back. Miles Hiked 14.5 He sure did look delicious, haha. It was filed under Backpacking Trip Reports and was tagged with backpacking trip report, cdt, chicago basin, colorado backpacking, colorado hikes, colorado photography, colorado summer hikes, colorado trail, continental divide, durango train, eldorado lake, elk park needleton, hiking 2013, loop hike, mountain photography, multi day hikes, san juan, san juan mountains, san juan national forest, weeklong loop hike, weminuche wilderness, windom peak. The skies were pretty blue now and there was abundant sunshine. I chose my path through the first boulder field above the lake and started moving. Elk Park-Needleton Loop. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. I dont know which to trust, but it was a long day regardless. Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). This snowshoe hare looks as if it could shoot lasers from its eyes, Campsite along the Elk Park trail, around 10,300ft. Passing through a colorful meadow on the morning of day 2, Nearing the treeline, the views start improving. A hiking boot is preferable. There were many campsites to choose from in the area near the Vallecito Creek Bridge. Mojave-Sonoran Trail (2021) We passed many more campsites along the trail shortly after leaving our camp this morning. I chucked some rocks and shouted at them, but theyd just walk 5 feet away and stare back at us. 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 . NOTE: As of 2021, we have been informed that you cannot board the train in Silverton and get dropped off at Needleton. It took us 7 days to complete it. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Your email address will not be published. I followed the lake to its drainage, which for reference was directly south of the Miners Cabin. He mentioned a possible shortcut to get up here from the Colorado Trail, by going up the drainage. There are two main access points for the wilderness: Elk Park and Needleton. Soon enough it was back to the rain. Miles: 45 Days: 6-8 Difficulty: Strenuous. Oregon Desert Trail (2022) *Coming Soon We were on the trail at 7:30, and saw a few more goats as we made our way out of Chicago Basin. 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. El mejor momento para visitar esta . Columbine Pass and Chicago Basin probably were the highlights of the trip -- incredibly high and scenic alpine country. The rock is slippery and there is nothing to help you balance yourself on this very narrow section of trail, which happens to have a BIG drop on your left. There were tons of mines dotting the mountainside, some of which looked pretty difficult to get to. That's $100 bucks round-trip for a train ticket! Our trek group of 6 - ages ranging from 17 to 64 years. Thats how I do it these days. I would have taken more pictures, but I didnt want my camera to get wet. This is the "fourth bridge" of vallecito creek, north of the vallecito campground/Trailhead.
Sunlight Peak via Needle Creek Trail | Map, Guide - Colorado | AllTrails About a half hour later we arrived at the bridge, and it was a welcome sight. 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.
7 of the Best Summer Backpacking Trips in the Mountain West There were no other campsites nearby and extremely close to the trail leading up to the three 14ers in Chicago Basin: Windom Peak, Sunlight Peak, and Mt. The Needleton stop also gives you access to the Needle Creek Trail, Johnson Creek Trail and the Chicago Basin. The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. Its too bad that we had already eaten dinner before starting this fire, because we still had hot dogs that we could have cooked tonight.
Weminuche Wilderness Trails - Durango Trails Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road. However, the clouds were building now and threatened to block the sun for the first time today. See this list of my favorite freeze-dried meals if youre curious about what theyre like. Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton is a 36 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Silverton, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Copyright 2015-2023 Champagne TastesAll Rights Reserved. We had about 7 miles of downhill hiking to the train, which arrives at 3:30, and thus were not in a hurry. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! They watched as I hiked right past them, which I did after taking a few pictures. When youre leaving from Durango, youll need to have your gear in the boxcar at least 45 minutes before departure. It resides at 8,277 feet of elevation in San Juan County. The rain subsided and we dipped below the clouds into a new valley. Eolus. I meandered around the lake a while and snapped some pictures before heading back to camp. However, to hike this trail as I did, you will need to secure a train reservation through the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Its also a good idea to drink lots of water (more so than at sea level). Carrying a backpack downhill has wreaked havoc on my knees on my last few hikes, but I was spared this time. We also packed an MSR PocketRocket Deluxe backpacking stove to boil water for all our freeze-dried meals, our hand-pump espresso machine, and a lightweight hatchet multitool to help with campfires. Elk Park/Needleton Loop, Colorado. What a morale booster it was. From the bottom though, I couldnt tell where the switchbacks started. This was true for much of the trip. Thankfully, we never needed to press the SOS button, but I was thrilled with the functionality of the map and messaging features. At that point, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury. Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. We brought along this Weminuche Wilderness National Geographic map. I dont like to sit in the tent if I dont have to. I was mainly happy to dry out my boots. It filtered a little more slowly than usual because we were at high elevation, but still worked well. The first morning of a hike always takes the longest to get going. Down from the pass, we still had a good 10 miles to cover today. I used a Deuter Kids 40 pack (it has an adjustable torso section for short people!) I like having dry gear! It was about 1/3 the size of his sleeping pad, and as far as I know, is the lightest one on the market at 9.1 ounces. Seeing the fog rise from the mountains and engulf the peaks around us was incredible. I made it to the top before Lisa and snapped a few pictures before the rain returned moments later. I forced myself to get out of the tent and go explore the area. They ran downhill and out of sight, and I kept moving.
2023 Best 10 Trails and Hikes in Silverton | AllTrails I am curious - does anyone have first hand knowledge of current conditions in Chicago Basin, Columbine Pass, Johnson Creek and Vallecito Trail. I modified my workout regimen before this hike to try and strengthen certain parts of the leg muscles that support the knee function, some intense stair climb sessions (45lb pack), as well as doing a lot more stretching. Vallecito Basin, which lies below Columbine pass, was pretty nice. So far, so good. Elk Park is a wide spot in the Animas River canyon located at milepost 490.5 on the Silverton Branch of the San Juan Extension. Not cheap by any means, but it was a cool way to enter and leave the wilderness. Miles Hiked 5.7 (summit Windom Peak starting from camp in Chicago Basin) You can download the GPX file here: http://metalbackpacker.com/wp-content/uploads/gpx/WeminucheRouteHiked.gpx. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a9fc6034fcd46f19ce6730fcccb725d8" );document.getElementById("b86db021e5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi, I'm Sarah! Y0ou could really see just ow red it was with a little sunlight. As we waited by the tracks, one of the hikers we were talking to in the shack was showing another guy his sleeping pad. 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. Great backpacking experience!! Success! 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. I put my poles away now as I found it necessary to use my hands a little here and there going up some of the boulders. Continental Divide Trail At the Divide, the trail connects with the Continental Divide Trail. Expect to pay for the train tickets, a baggage fee (for your backpack, which goes in the boxcar train), and an overnight parking fee. The best times to visit this trail are May through September.
Reddit - Dive into anything Be prepared for a lot of bugs and rain. 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. These guys didnt seem as threatening though.
Colorado Adventure 2022 San Juan Mountains Weminuche Wilderness Elk Swampy, muddy areas where your foot sinks ankle deep in mud are also likely, as well as multiple creek crossings. 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. Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. Was the extra research and time spent preparing for the Elk Park to Needleton trip worth it? Would you advise camping at Twin Lakes? Lisa was out roaming too, watching the many Ptarmigan birds in the area. Here, theres a good view of Vestal Peak. Any feedback appreciated. Alternatively, if you feel you have any information youd like to share with others regarding this hike, please feel free to leave that below in a comment as well. Completed this loop early July 2021. Were planning to do this trip in September 2022 and Ive got a couple of questions for you. Did the 38.6 mile loop from Elk. More mountain goats as I leave the Twins Lake area. 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. The weather started clearing up after about mile 4. Elk Park to Needleton Backpack Loop 5,560 views Aug 5, 2008 9 Dislike Share Save Elizabeth Black 394 subscribers From the steam engine train we backpack for 6 days on a 40 mile loop out in. We walked down to Needle Creek and took a side path over to a waterfall, but besides that, we spent the rest of the day relaxing in camp mostly. Heres an overview map of the Weminuche Wilderness, which includes trailhead locations. The altitude will affect water filters and food cook time, which is usually explained on the packaging. To reach this trail on foot, some hikers make a longer loop from the Molas Trail (about four miles). Cant wait to try this trip myself! 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). While the wilderness area has many access points, one of the best approaches is from the Durango & Silverton railroad stop of Elk Park, just outside of Silverton. Very isolated in the middle of the trail, we only saw 1 other person each day. The clouds seemed to be chasing us up Hunchback Pass. Im assuming forest service will clear this soon. Climb aboard and make memories youll cherish forever by planning an outdoor adventure that starts on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The trail wasnt too steep most of the way up this morning.
Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton Hiking Route | Trailforks This entry was posted on August 29, 2013. drops you off in the middle of the wilderness (no car access) and do a loop that is absolutely beautiful. We reached the drop off at Elk Park (about . After 3 hours, we were finally back in Durango. My two 15 year olds and I just completed it mid July 2021 and it took us five days. We heard later that there was a porcupine in the area chewing on things, so it couldve been the culprit. It was a little windy last night, which can make it hard to sleep. Not long after, we watched the same goats cross the creek and head towards our general area. They didnt seem to concerned with our presence though. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. The nature back there is unbelievable. Share Followers 0. The fire burned quite well once established, despite the soggy wood. (We didnt see any, but we heard they were plentiful.). The trail follows Elk Creek, and I believe it was called the Elk Creek Trail. It was nice to know that we had a day off of hiking coming up tomorrow, at least for Lisa anyways. I saw maybe 10 people on day 5, and probably about 60 on day 6. The unincorporated community of Needleton is very secluded east from the Highway 550. There are also sections with loose pebbles where youll want good traction. Bob Marshall. 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. Highly recommend! We didnt take the train so we started at Molas Lake and walked to Needlestop. 09-23-2015, 12:45 #12. After about an hour of rain, thunder and lightning, I gave up on the idea of a fire. Still a good ways from the pass, we pushed on as the rains started in their usual off and on fashion. Getting down to the water and going through the process of purifying the water was a bit of a pain here, but I wanted to get it out of the way in case it started raining again. All in all, quite a bit of wildlife.
Wilderness Access Train Rides - Durango.com She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker. For details on the hike itself, see my post about the various trail segments. Then on the way back, youll catch the southbound train at Needleton and ride back to Durango. This will give you time to make it to your seats before the final boarding call. One of the train employees told us a little about the history of the train and how things work. The only stop on the southbound trail in the afternoon is Elk Park. Since cell service is unlikely, the Garmin InReach Mini 2 became our lifeline. At least we can enjoy a few hours of sunshine before the weather turns.
John Werner: Backpacking Weminuche Wilderness not easy, but worth the The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. There were a few more mines along the trail here, and one appeared to be deeper than the others we had explored. One guy stopped and said Whoa, what are you doing going up that? We were thrilled when a ranger who had just cleared out the trail told us the three 12,000-foot passes on our route were free of snow. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. You can use this file with your GPS unit, or load it in caltopo.com (or your favorite mapping website or application). I still panned on climbing Windom and maybe Sunlight. It was great to get some hot food in our stomachs before heading to our hotel in Pagosa Springs. Comments are not currently showing up on my site right now, need to troubleshoot that. After lunch, we continued to climb in elevation until we reached the Miners Cabin just below the CDT. After staring me down for a minute, they decided to move in my direction. Yes, either hiking boots or hiking shoes are a very good idea on these trails. Elk Park flag stop to Needleton flag stop between Durango and Silverton Elk Park flag stop to Needleton flag stop between Durango and Silverton. Would you advise camping at Columbine Lake? Campsite in Chicago Basin for nights 4 and 5. On day four, we hiked along the 4wd road to Pole Creek and picked up our ride there. Elk Park Stop Elk Creek Trail This trail travels east from the railroad, climbing into the upper reaches of the Needle Mountains. I did see a lot of goat hair stuck in the trees and bushes now, which we had not seen anywhere else yet along our hike. Pack your food in a bear sling or bear canister. I feel like my extra efforts in training before this trip really made the difference in my knees. West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. I decided to head downhill in a hurry. Youre hiking at high elevation in a very sunny spot, so protecting your eyes is important. If needed, when you reach the Vallecito and Johnson Creek trail junction, you could hike about 10 miles to the Vallecito Reservoir, a popular lake area. How bad was the narrow passage near Chicago Basin? Columbine Pass The crowning jewel on our recent vacation to Colorado was an epic backpacking trip. View Profile Very clear and interesting. When we stopped for lunch, two deer wandered into our resting area. Still, there were several more people that were waiting by the train tracks and elsewhere. Dogs are welcome and may be off-lead in some areas. Just as I hit that switchback, a few hikers came into view on the way down from the CDT. Tips for Camping With Your Kids in Durango, Colorado. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 10 min to complete. There were no signs of private property here, so we hung out here while we waited for the train. 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 hiker who told me about the mice up here had camped here last night. Weminuche Wilderness, CO Elk Park/Needleton Loop Hike. Just import my GPX file and then you can print it out. Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). Our dehydrated meals said they were tested at 5,000-foot elevation, and to double the cook time for every additional 5,000 feet. I couldnt resist the chance to whip out my Klymit Inertia X-Frame sleeping pad that I bought a few months back. Straddling sections of the infamous Continental . I watched the bolts of lightning in the distance for a while before going to bed. Lower elevations and farther south, definitely no snow and the spring melt off is going to be done by then. Thats for water drainage, and maybe goats. I laughed and told him how I lost the trail before it headed up. Awesome, thanks! This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Whitewater rafting with professional guides. My boots were the driest theyd been since day 1, and I really didnt want to get stuck in rain today. Its easy to explore the Colorado wilderness from the Durango train. This hike is definitely a good one! 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. We spend a good while collecting firewood, but as wet as it was, it was a bit of a challenge. More views ruined by the weather, and as a result I took few pictures in this area. In addition to us, there was also a group of 2, 3, and 4 other hikers who also got off the train. It didnt rain extremely heavily at any time, but it was just so damn frequent. The fourth day we hiked from Chicago basin to the needleton train stop, which was an easy ~7 miles downhill. Lisa and I ended up taking a nap for about an hour and a half until the weather improved. Our total distance was about 42 miles. For suggestions, see my guides to the best womens hiking boots and hiking gear for men. Weve also been testing this Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45 + 5 pack and love it. Purgetory was the popular trailhead of choice for non-train riders. Discover this 6.9-mile out-and-back trail near Silverton, Colorado. Thanks for sharing. Your monthly pledge helps me bring you more quality hiking and outdoor adventure videos, trail guides and content. With about five minutes to go before arriving at Elk Park, one of conductors gather all of the backpackers and ask you to head to the front of the train. He had camped in this area, not by Eldorado, and thus had left the trail to set up his camp. The Needleton stop also gives you access to the Needle Creek Trail, Johnson Creek Trail and the Chicago Basin. Start your next Durango outdoor adventure from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Basin and Range Trail (2020) Thanks for the great report! But we opted to take the train! Before you head out into the wilderness, make sure you know where youre going! I took the driest looking campsite I could find, which wasnt saying much. All of our gear was dry and life was good. However, after she mentioned it a few times I could tell she really wanted one, so we gathered the driest firewood we could find and used our garbage to start the fire. Next stop: Wilderness. Make sure everyone in your party books the train together. I was awestruck with the beauty of those mountains. I purified some more water for todays hike and ate breakfast, a Metrx bar and some granola & almonds. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are a lot of down trees and we had rain and some route finding to cross streams. 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. There is no cover up here by Eldorado Lake, which sits well above the treeline at 12,300ft. Go to the print button at the top and choose print to pdf. I had also been considering a climb up Sunlight Peak as well, but it was so nice up here on Windom Peak that I decided to relax, and just enjoy the beautiful view. 5h 16m. Todays hike was all uphill, but it wasnt too strenuous. I am really loving the granola & almonds, its chocked full of complex carbs and good fats, perfect for hiking. My knees were holding up very well so far this trip and I figured, why not? On the trail by 7am today, we headed up to the CDT once again. In fact, there wasnt a single cloud in sight now, just a beautiful deep blue sky in all directions.
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