The Weminuche Wilderness area offers a variety of outdoor activities for adventurers of all ages and abilities, from multi day backpacking excursions to day trips on horseback or peaceful mornings with the fly rod. Similar to the base layer top. The trailhead for the Chicago Basin Hike can be found at the Needleton Flagstop along the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. So beautiful with many waterfalls and accessible water along the way. Well marked past the Twin Lakes. You will need to pay for each day your vehicle will be in the lot. Every mountain we encountered was amazing! Another mile leads you to the junction with the Elk Park Train Stop spur. Parties must book together. 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 day after that we hiked out. Be sure to check for both your SOUTHBOUND and NORTHBOUND trips!SEATING:You will be booked SPACE in a standard-class car but specific seat assignments will be provided by the conductor when you board the train. 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. Posted on August 4, 2022 by jim. Do not be drawn up the climbers trail to the twin lakes between Eolus, Sunlight and Windom. Recreational livestock are prohibited from being restrained within 100 (35 adult steps) of water. Route Information Backcountry Campground No When to do May-September Pets allowed Yes - On Leash Family friendly No Route Signage Average Crowd Levels Low Route Type Out and back Chicago Basin Hike Elevation Graph 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. Many hotels offer a free shuttle pickup. Follow the fork east along Needle Creek for approximately 0.75 miles. There are a lot of down trees and we had rain and some route finding to cross streams. At approximately 1.5 miles, the trail reaches Purgatory Flats, a wide open area along Cascade Creek. Waterproof Gore-Tex abrasion resistant polyester uppers with a patented TPU Thermo Tech Application. From the Needleton drop cross the Animas River on a good footbridge. Along the way well have the opportunity to climb a 14er (Windom Peak), see wild mountain goats, hike on unbelievably well maintained trails, both above and below treeline, and see some of Colorados most beautiful wildflowers. Wilderness Access is only available during our summer season which runs May-October. Once up the scree field, the trail picks up again on the right hand side but isn't always obvious. Backpacking the Chicago Basin in Colorado - Buckhorn Cliffs join the progression with us This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The only southbound option for wilderness access will be Elk Park. From either vantage point, a commanding panorama of the Needle Creek drainage is possible. Durango has a number of great hotels, suites, and vacation rentals for you to stay in while youre in the area. We took the Durango train to the Needleton train stop ($116 round trip, must purchase over the phone). 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. The downed trees that had once covered the trail in early June have since been cleared for the most part. Know what fire restrictions are in effect for San Juan and/or the Rio Grande National Forest. If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. So I said goodbye to James, who would pack up the tent and sleeping bags and meet me down in Needleton to catch the train. can't surpass this in backcountry experience! Met amazing people and followed the creek for photography shots. The trails were easy to follow and well marked all the way up to Twin Lakes and on to the top of N. Eolus. Due to the popularity of the Weminuche Wilderness, it is important to choose your camp wisely. Experience this 17.4-mile out-and-back trail near Silverton, Colorado. Started from the Purgatory Trail to the Animas River Trail to Needle Creek Trail. Extremely durable and lightweight 3D Flex insert for excellent ankle mobility Vibram. This hike is definitely a good one! As a visitor, you must be able to exist with what you can take in (and out) and rely on your own outdoor skills. after one of the seven bands of Ute people who made the Southwest Colorado Rockies their home. Highly recommend! Give our office a call at 800-642-5389 if you have any questions about what would suite you best for this trip! Fog and trees seen from Chicago Basin. The leap of faith is surely the hardest move - but to some its optional since the geo marker is lower. Groups can not exceed 15. North Eolus was an easy transition across. We loved this trail and would highly recommend! Needle Creek seen near campsite. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. 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. Wilderness Access - Official Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad The catwalk is obvious trailwise, a little intimidating but shouldn't be something you stop you in your tracks, just take your time. Elk Creek Trail:This trail travels east from the railroad, climbing into the upper reaches of the Needle Mountains. Local: 970.325.4925 Site developed by Agency Tourism Marketing. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Im assuming forest service will clear this soon. Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land. An official website of the Whether you want to be involved in a long term effort like our volunteer program, join for a single-day campsite clean up or donate to SJMAs Weminuche Wilderness Stewardship Fund. These are wear all the time in all conditions base layer pants. Any feedback appreciated. Below are some approximate driving times if youd like to drive to Durango. On day four, we hiked along the 4wd road to Pole Creek and picked up our ride there. Click here to find out more about the Backpacker Special CALL FOR RESERVATIONS! Visitors to Chicago Basin typically ride the train from Durango or Silverton, get off at Needleton, and hike about 6 miles . 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. on official, secure websites. 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. At 6.5 miles you begin the steep climb to Columbine Pass. Highly recommend. There are many added benefits to trekking poles. ), D&SNGRR Train Tickets are an additional fee per person ($120), Hiking up to6-7 miles per day with up to a 30lb pack at altitudes between 8,000 11,000, Hotel costs before, during, or after the program, Trip Cancellation Insurance (recommended), Costs associated with weather delays or other variables beyond the control of San Juan Mountain Guides. My two 15 year olds and I just completed it mid July 2021 and it took us five days. #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. When flagging the train in either direction, you must be on theeastside of the tracks. We rode the train from Silverton to the trailhead. My experience was only the indoor climbing gym and small, simple hiking excursions around my hometown. Found it really hard to find camping and the usfs map of the basin didnt seem to match closures of where you can camp. They were all well marked but took extra time to navigate. Trail: Chicago Basin from Needleton Needleton Elevation: 8,212 ft. Camp Elevation: 11,000 ft. . 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. Choosing the right base layer really makes a difference in comfort, moisture-wicking, and the balance between cool and warm at the right time and in the right places. I summited Windom Peak in July of 2009 with a group from my high school. Essential for all of our programs. The best times to visit this trail are July through September. 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. The trees down are no joke - this probably added an hour to our day. 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. High waters can also be the result of afternoon thunderstorms, so be prepared. There are many itinerary options available for this trip so get in touch with our Office Staff to determine what might work best for you and your group! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery('html').css('margin-top'), 10) + parseInt(jQuery('body').css('margin-top'), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_13').html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass('gform_validation_error')){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_13').addClass('gform_validation_error');} else {jQuery('#gform_wrapper_13').removeClass('gform_validation_error');}setTimeout( function() { /* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome */ jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gform_wrapper_13').offset().top - mt); }, 50 );if(window['gformInitDatepicker']) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window['gformInitPriceFields']) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery('#gform_source_page_number_13').val();gformInitSpinner( 13, 'https://mtnguide.net/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg' );jQuery(document).trigger('gform_page_loaded', [13, current_page]);window['gf_submitting_13'] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK').html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}setTimeout(function(){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_13').replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gf_13').offset().top - mt);jQuery(document).trigger('gform_confirmation_loaded', [13]);window['gf_submitting_13'] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery('#gform_confirmation_message_13').text());}, 50);}else{jQuery('#gform_13').append(contents);if(window['gformRedirect']) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger('gform_post_render', [13, current_page]);} );} ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Legendary San Juan local @sbrunso said it best: The traverse showed me things I had never seen before. NOTE that on an average summer day, 50 people will disembark from the train to head to Chicago Basina beautiful, but crowded, backpacking destination. We didn't want to risk going up and over Hunchback, down Vallecito, up Johnson Creek, over Columbine Pass and into Chicago Basin. Great backpacking experience!! 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). Camping restrictions around Twin Lakes (accessed from Chicago Basin). From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin. Unoccupied seats will be sold as a no-show. Check out this 37.5-mile point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. Our guides always carry a comprehensive medical kit but it's nice to have your own as well. 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. Overall a pretty remote and isolated trail with beautiful scenery, clean water everywhere and pristine nature. Also, I only summited Windom. Each year this area receives about 10,000 visitor use days. Passengers are not permitted to carry firearms on the train. Hiking from Twin Lakes to the summit of North Eolus took 2 hours, 45 minutes. Again, we did North Eolus, which is the same trail as Mount Eolus (until you reach the saddle). Ice fest is next week we hope to see you there! From Durango:Reservations should be made in advancethrough the Durango ticket office. Het maakt een stop (op verzoek) bij Needleton, een locatie in de buurt van de samenvloeiing van Needle Creek en de Animas. Durango Silverton Train - Best Way To Get To The Chicago Basin West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. For a detailed backpacking itinerary, dig into the associated guidebook. 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. Black flies were a pain the whole week. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. Excellent 3-day trip!! The card is not insurance. Pine River to Emerald Lake: The Pine River alternates between meadows and canyon, frequently flowing peacefully on the flat valley floor. There are a few small stream crossings and some muddy areas but overall good conditions. 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. While out hiking the trail, you will work your way through the forested basin alongside Needle Creek, before making the final push through the alpine landscape to reach the shores of the Twin lakes. This is an optional item on our programs. With an average elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level, the Weminuche is known for its challenging, rugged terrain from the deep Animas River Gorge to the wildflower-filled basins to towering peaks. 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. It's mainly visited for hikers departing on overnight backpacking trips into Chicago Basin. Jupiter Mountain | 13,838' Jupiter Mtn. SW Slopes Route, Map & Photos Gorgeous view, nice walk to the basin, and challenging but not sketchy hike on the 14ers. Serious Tallis and scree if youre between groups - missed the morning rush window and caught 6 people on their way down. The beginning of the trail makes a very enjoyable day hike (great for kids) through a deep canyon filled with ponderosa pine forest, aspen and conifers. Cairns were well-marked going up and thought I was at the chimney twice, but once you see it, you know. The darker the better. Be prepared to spend on average 5 days to complete the loop, and make the proper arrangements. Mechanized means of transport are not permitted (mountain bikes). We almost made the summit of Mt Eolus but due to more snow along the last 500' we opted not to chance it. 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. Lip balm is important to bring on all trips. Manage Settings Trail conditions often change rapidly; please be well prepared! View from trail to Sunlight Peak. Was back at twin lakes by 930am and decided to just summit Sunlight and Windom as long as the clouds held up. The airport is a 20 minute drive from our office. Chicago Basin to Mount Eolus - AllTrails.com 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. From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin. Other articles such as groceries and extra equipment will be also be handled as freight and additional charges will apply based on weight. Some of these areas can be accessed via a narrow gauge train that runs between Durango and Silverton. Bookings must be made by phone. Currently there are no permits required for recreational activities in the Chicago Basin. Once at the saddle, choose which mountain to summit (or do both). 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. Know Before You Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and More, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters 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 . I'll be doing this loop this September 2023 except in reverse. There are no southbound stops at Needleton for departures from Silverton. Done over 5 nights and 6 days. The unincorporated community of Needleton is very secluded east from the Highway 550. From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin. Founded in 1988, the San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA), promotes the exploration and protection of public lands in Southwest Colorado through stewardship and conservation education for people of all ages. We covered the .8 miles back to the Needleton bridge in about 20 mins. Below are just a few options catering to different lodging styles and preferences. Distance - 21 - 38 miles round trip (33.80 - 61.26 km) Elevation gain - 8,913 - 12,329 feet (2,716.68 - 3,757.88 m) Duration - 15 to 25 hours (book time) Hike Class: Class 3. On day two, we encountered an even larger debris field between Beaver Pond and the ascent to the miner's shack. Took the train from Durango and got off at Needleton. i tried to get some film too! The nature back there is unbelievable. When the sun shines brightly on fresh snow in the mountains your eyes will thank you for a quality pair of shades. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. To prevent altitude sickness, pace yourself, drink water, and eat snacks. Two 1 liter bottles is the standard for days in the mountains. Planned on doing South Peak as well but conditions were too snowy/icy for me. https://youtu.be/2iDmEsqbobA. We had been told by the forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields in the basin. Exposure on both sides but beautiful weather. Chicago Basin to Silverton : Trip Reports : SummitPost 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. This beautiful valley makes up the headwat. Dogs - Allowed. Had never seen so many mountains (we're from OK). It is a fairly difficult hike, but not one that isn't doable. Check trailhead signs or Forest Service Offices for site-specific camping, campfire, and livestock regulations. We recommend wide mouth Nalgene (or similar) water bottles for the majority of our programs. 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. I just completed this route the July 11-15, 2022. 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 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 trail is easy to follow but quite steep, ascending 3,000 feet before reaching the basin. Colorado residents and visitors are well served by dedicated volunteer search and rescue teams, but mission costs are often in the thousands of dollars. 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. For trekking trips in Colorados Weminuche Wildernessyou should be ready for: Durango is located in the SW corner of Colorado, at the intersection of the sandstone towers of the desert, and the jagged, San Juan Mountains. Head out on this 17.4-mile out-and-back trail near Silverton, Colorado. Very isolated in the middle of the trail, we only saw 1 other person each day.