Be sure to bring any necessary equipment and supplies for a long journey into the mountains. Chicago Basin 1: Sunlight & Windom Peaks - Greg Willis Two 1 liter bottles is the standard for days in the mountains. 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. Was back at twin lakes by 930am and decided to just summit Sunlight and Windom as long as the clouds held up. An official website of the For more in depth information, check out the. Well marked past the Twin Lakes. At its core is a moisture-managing microfiber fabric that is wind resistant and able to control odor. This area has excellent views and photographic possibilities. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. 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. be aware of your place, take what you need! You must flag the train to signal to the engineer that you wish to board. There is no southbound wilderness drop offs for Needleton. The two main access locations are atNeedleton, the entrance to Chicago Basin; andElk Park, access point to the Colorado Trail. Heading south, the route leads to Hunchback Pass and from here to the upper end of the Vallecito Creek Trail. We summited at 12:45pm just as a thunderstorm was rolling in, so we made quick work of getting down. The boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness is 2.7 miles up the trail, the fishing is fantastic. You will need to pay for each day your vehicle will be in the lot. Low-profile GORE WINDSTOPPER. We had a lot of rain, starting everyday around 1 pm and lasting for a couple of hours. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Elevations in the Weminuche range from 7,000 to 14,000 feet. From the Needleton drop cross the Animas River on a good footbridge. This is great, loved it! No conditions reported in the past 7 days. There are two ways to get into the Chicago Basin - a looong hike in from Purgatory or a ride on the Durango Silverton Train. Highlights were kite lake, columbine pass, and Chicago basin. Needle Creek Trail to Chicago Basin | Hiking route in Colorado 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. Other articles such as groceries and extra equipment will be also be handled as freight and additional charges will apply based on weight. Watch for the trail turnoff to the east that crosses two forks of Needle Creek. This is a very popular area for camping, fishing, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. A great addition to any of our programs. Altitude Elevations in the Weminuche range from 7,000 to 14,000 feet. NOTE that on an average summer day, 50 people will disembark from the train to head to Chicago Basina beautiful, but crowded, backpacking destination. Do not bury it. Great backpacking experience!! An excellent investment for all of our programs. The Continental Divide Trail traverses more than 3,000 miles from New Mexico to Canada, with more than 80 miles within the Weminuche Wilderness. It was chilly at night dropping below 30 but we had enough gear and food. Legendary San Juan local @sbrunso said it best: The traverse showed me things I had never seen before. In order to protect the watershed, camping is not permitted within 100 feet (approximately 35 adult steps) of streams or lakes, except as designated or posted. If experiencing any symptoms which include headache, loss of appetite, and weakness or drowsiness, descend quickly. Bring 2-3 pairs depending on the type of trip. The boundary of the Weminuche Wilderness is 2.7 miles up the trail, the fishing is fantastic. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We strongly suggest purchasing aColorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) Card. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. There are many different ways to get involved with our stewardship efforts in the Weminuche Wilderness. Backpacking the Chicago Basin in Colorado - Buckhorn Cliffs We camped in the Chicago Basin, which was about a five hour hike from the train stop including a lunch break. You need at minimum either a soft shell jacket or hard shell jacket for local Ouray based winter courses and programs. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Route. $76 Cheap Flights to Needles , CA - Expedia.com While it may be long and challenging, the Chicago Basin Hike is a beautifully scenic route that will expose you to some of the most beautiful views in Colorado. 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. United States. A small knife is an indispensable tool to carry with you in the mountains. So minor experience is okay, but only if you have experienced guides and are in good physical condition. Please refer to the Short Stop Table (to be added) to determine which train will be stopping at your desired flag stop on the date you will be boarding. Had to climb over a hundred trees, no joke. By purchasing a CORSAR card you are contributing to the Search and Rescue Fund, which will reimburse these teams for costs incurred in your search and rescue. 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. In order to successfully carry a 35 lb. Advance Registration is required for this program. There are plenty of flies and bugs along the trail, so dont forget the bug repellent. I have done this one twice!! The three tallest 14,059 foot Sunlight Peak, 14,084 foot Mount Eolus and 14,087 foot Windom Peak are the most popular climbs, but there are many other peaks offering mountaineering challenges and scenic wonder. There was a new amazing view after every turn. Started from the Purgatory Trail to the Animas River Trail to Needle Creek Trail. Weminuche Wilderness Stewardship Fund: In 2019, SJMA launched the Weminuche Wilderness Stewardship Fund with the goal of empowering the local community to give back to our most treasured wilderness. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Water can be found off the trail in most of the tributaries, but due to Giardia it should be filtered. Chicago Basin to Mount Eolus - AllTrails.com Disposal of human waste and wash water is prohibited within 100 feet (35 adult steps) of any water source. For information regarding trail conditions, to acquire a trail map, or to purchase back country insurance (highly recommended), contact the U.S. Forest Service at 970-247-4874. Feel free to text me at 616-443-9183. We camped here and summited North Eolus the following day (we were wanting to summit Mount Eolus as well, but once we got to the saddle between the two, Mount Eolus looked way more exposed and precarious). Coffee is the lifeblood of champions. Come learn with the best 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. Some of these areas can be accessed via a narrow gauge train that runs between Durango and Silverton. Filter your water again at Twin Lakes and then continue to your mountain of choice. The trail begins at the southern end of the Weminuche and travels north until it reaches Hunchback Pass (12,400 feet). At approximately 1.5 miles, the trail reaches Purgatory Flats, a wide open area along Cascade Creek. This allows you to pick the cheapest days to fly if your trip allows flexibility and score cheap flight deals to Needles. Here, Colorado backpacking is at its best but also increasingly more crowded. The Chicago Basin Hike is a challenging, but non-technical, adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will take you uphill for stunning views of the alpine terrain. Built for flash-storm protection, the 100% waterproof, super-breathable Helium II weighs an incredibly light 6.4 ounces. Ended up summiting North Eolus instead. Train to Needleton stop. Hikers must ford the creek so prepare to get your feet wet. Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. 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. Planned on doing South Peak as well but conditions were too snowy/icy for me. https://youtu.be/2iDmEsqbobA. Ice fest is next week we hope to see you there! The Boosters reversible design lets you choose. An insulated vest is an optional item on our programs but we do think vests offer excellent flexible layering options in a variety of circumstances, weather conditions, and trip types. The trail begins to the left of Twin Lakes and is easily followed until you hit the scree field that goes up the rocky divide between the two mountains. Buy a ticket for the train that stops at Needleton and ride the train 2.5 hours (~30 miles) to the Needleton stop. There are no southbound stops at Needleton for departures from Silverton. From there, the Elk Creek Trail heads 9 miles though the Weminuche to a junction with the Continental Divide trail, past iconic peaks of the Grenadier Range including Arrow, Vestal, and the Trinity Peaks. Plenty water sources, every day at least 2. We arrived at about 11am on July 30th, 2019 at Needleton. The best spot for camping was at Kite Lake, worth waking up to see the sunrise reflected on the lake. Thanks again. Was able to summit 3 out of 4. #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, Family ski outing with guide @brooklynwarren Check local Fire Restrictions / Activity before you go: SJMAs online store provides many maps and guidebooks to help you plan your Weminuche adventure. Knowing there are many more trails within the Weminuche, weve chosen to highlight the most popular trails, all of which are located on the San Juan National Forest. Choose your footing wisely here as rocks will shift and fall away. 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 trees down are no joke - this probably added an hour to our day. Be prepared to spend on average 5 days to complete the loop, and make the proper arrangements. Any feedback appreciated. Chicago Basin area was very pretty, and not too crowded with tents. 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. They were all well marked but took extra time to navigate. A headlamp is recommended for all of our programs and is an essential piece of equipment you will use in a variety of circumstances. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Located in the heart of the Needle Mountainsdeep in the Weminuche Wildernesslies. The Needle Creek Trail #504 is a wildly popular trail that brings backpackers from either the Animas River Trail #675 or theNeedleton train stop into Chicago Basin. 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. Windom Peak - West Ridge | Route | 14ers.com Donations to this fund go directly to educate wilderness visitors and implement on-the-ground stewardship projects in the Weminuche. From Columbine Pass it is nine miles down to the Needleton trailhead and civilization. As always, being in excellent physical shape is an important component of our our programs. 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. North Eolus was an easy transition across. Buy a ticket for the train that stops at Needleton and ride the train 2.5 hours (~30 miles) to the Needleton stop. Needle Creek seen near campsite. I started at 630am and made my first summit to Mt Eolus at 8am, which was all to myself! View from trail to Sunlight Peak. Essential for all of our programs. We estimated ~100 trees that we had to go over, under, or around - felt like a tough mudder. ) or https:// means you've safely Chicago Basin is situated within the Weminuche Wilderness at 11,200 ft elevation (timberline is 11,800 ft). Stuff sacks are a great way to organize your gear in your pack and help to keep things tidy in a variety of ways. The day after that we hiked out. Featuring a lengthy overall distance, rugged terrain, and plenty of elevation gain, the Chicago Basin Hike is a challenging adventure that will require experience and a good degree of planning. The soft yarn blend will provide a cozy sanctuary throughout winters chill. and found Eric and Whitney resting quietly just off the path leading to the bridge. From either vantage point, a commanding panorama of the Needle Creek drainage is possible.Chicago Basin:Aside from its splendid hiking terrain, Chicago Basin also serves as a base camp for mountain climbers intent on scaling summits. 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. Official websites use .gov A .gov 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. The combination of convenient access via the narrow gauge train to Needleton and the access to iconic 14ers attracts visitors from around the world making Chicago Basin a heavy use area . Lunch begins when breakfast ends and ends when dinner begins. Amazing hike and rough terrain. We got off the train at elk park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day. 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. A few turned around on Sunlights route due to overcrowding and rockfall. #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, ICE FEST is this weekend see our website for availability we are so excited to see you there! Unless you have a current Season Pass there is a freight charge per backpack ($15). I was verbally told off my a forest service worker for camping in an area that seemed heavily camped in with no signage saying it was not for camping? Hiking from Twin Lakes to the summit of North Eolus took 2 hours, 45 minutes. 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). Weminuche Wilderness: Trails, Camping, and Guides - SJMA Its relatively easy to walk over/around them, but be patient and expect a slight delay. This trail is often used as an approach for climbing the four 14ers found in the Needle Mountains. Setting out from the trailhead at the Needleton Flagstop, you will cross the bridge over the Animas River and follow the trail as it bends to the southwest. The trail is easy to follow but quite steep, ascending 3,000 feet before reaching the basin. This is a unique experience and adds an interesting start and finish to our trekking trips unlike any other in the US. However, a good pair of trekking poles is a worthy piece of gear to have with you for long approaches or treks through the mountains. There are two other peaks very close by and it is possible to do all three in one day. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 9 min to complete. pack it in, pack it out. The trail is always very clear and easy to follow. The Weminuche Wilderness faces a lot of challenges and if we as a community dont stand up for the Weminuche, nobody will. Gotta love this community! Sunlight Peak and Windom Peak from Chicago Basin | Into Travel Click here to find out more about the Backpacker Special CALL FOR RESERVATIONS! Manage Settings Although I can't say much about the route we took, I can definitely say this is not for the faint of heart. The under-the-helmet hood and full-length zipper let you regulate temperature on the go, so you dont find yourself overheating a half hour into the day. Want to learn more about our current projects, ways to stay involved and news from the San Juan Mountains Association? Ran I to some bad weather that chased us out on the 2nd day but we saw a few moose on this trail. The elevation is what makes this so hard. At that point, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury. By city ordinance, overnight camping is not allowed in our parking lot. 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. My wife and I completed this hike in September of 2016 and loved it. Guiding and instruction with an AMGA Certified/Trained Guide, Group camping and cooking equipment (tents, stoves, etc. It was a dream and once in a lifetime trip! You can help protect the Wilderness by planning ahead, complying with regulations and leaving no trace. Follow the fork east along Needle Creek for approximately 0.75 miles. 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.
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