Last Updated on May 16, 2023 by
Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. Buy a ticket for the train that stops at Needleton and ride the train 2.5 hours (~30 miles) to the Needleton stop. Come learn with the best Pine River to Emerald Lake: The Pine River alternates between meadows and canyon, frequently flowing peacefully on the flat valley floor. Regardless of which mountain you're hiking (Sunlight, Windom, Eolus, or North Eolus), you'll first have to hike to Twin Lakes by taking the trail to the end of Chicago Basin and then up one of its sides. The trails were easy to follow and well marked all the way up to Twin Lakes and on to the top of N. Eolus. Be aware that as temperatures increase, snowmelt swells every creek and river making crossing challenging or even impossible. Plenty water sources, every day at least 2. Once up the scree field, the trail picks up again on the right hand side but isn't always obvious. 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. The trail is always very clear and easy to follow. I am curious - does anyone have first hand knowledge of current conditions in Chicago Basin, Columbine Pass, Johnson Creek and Vallecito Trail. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. ), 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. Visitors to Chicago Basin typically ride the train from Durango or Silverton, get off at Needleton, and hike about 6 miles . Please inform a reservation agent at time of booking as to the number of backpacks in your party. Needleton is a popular trailhead for hiking into the Needle Mountains. Great trail and great mountains. To reach Chicago Basin, use the Approach Page. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Only the Silverton Diesel Train is designated for flag stops. Eolus, Sunlight Peak and Windom Peak. SILVERTON DEPARTURES:You will be booked on one of the afternoon trips out of Silverton and arrive at Elk Park flag stop about 30 minutes after leaving Silverton. Beautiful but a tough hike 2 spots over 13k so many wildflowers and mountain goats! I realized after spending 30 years in the San Juans, I havent put a dent in the terrain Overall this was a wonderful challenge. The best times to visit this trail are July through September. One stream crossing after the Vallecito bridge about mid calf. Molas Lake to Animas River via Molas Trail, Vestal Basin via Colorado and Elk Creek Trail, Stony Pass, ATV Trail 821, and Cinnamon Pass OHV Route. Check out our trail access page for more information. #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! Beyond the basin, the main trail climbs another 1,400 feet over two miles to Columbine Pass where it meets up with the Johnson Creek Trail, which drops into the Vallecito Creek drainage. 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. The trail from basin up to any of the 4 peaks is impossible to find due to heavy snow coverage still. website belongs to an official government organization in the When the sun shines brightly on fresh snow in the mountains your eyes will thank you for a quality pair of shades. For more information on accessing Chicago Basin, the San Juan Mountains and the Weminuche Wilderness area visit our Wilderness Access page here. It does not pay medical transport which includes helicopter flights or ground ambulance. wow! During its peak period of use (July 4th through Labor Day), Chicago Basin is crowded by wilderness standards, and campsites can be hard to find. I started at 630am and made my first summit to Mt Eolus at 8am, which was all to myself! 1 2 3 4 5 6 There are no camping spots until you reach Chicago Basin. There was another group who did this, and the train staff didn't seem to have any problem with it (we had paid for a RT ticket anyway). Gotta love this community! 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. Het maakt een stop (op verzoek) bij Needleton, een locatie in de buurt van de samenvloeiing van Needle Creek en de Animas. Online reservations will be available soon. For a detailed backpacking itinerary, dig into the associated guidebook. 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. Pets must be under voice control or physical restraint. From your camp in Chicago Basin, hike northeast toward the end of the basin on the great trail - 1. The new BD Distance series poles are light, collapsible, and adjustable. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. You're mostly in the sun and always with a panoramic view of the area mountains. 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. 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. Nine miles long, the route climbs 3,760 feet to the Continental Divide.Continental Divide Trail:At the Divide, the trail connects with the Continental Divide Trail. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Ouray, CO 81427, Text: 970.946.0713 Just north of the flag stop is one of the last of two remaining wooden water tanks on the Durango and Silverton. Possession of motorized equipment or motorized means of transport are not permitted. 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. You have the option to either call our office and register via phone or utilize our secure Online Reservation System. Route. The 6 miles to the basin alternates between shade and sun and is a steady incline, although not unbearable, even while carrying a 30 lb pack. Chicago Basin is situated within the Weminuche Wilderness at 11,200 ft elevation (timberline is 11,800 ft). Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Coal Bank Pass to Engineer Mountain Summit Hike. High waters can also be the result of afternoon thunderstorms, so be prepared. Great trail, unreal views! Our most popular items are: Whether you are a peak bagger, fly fisherman, avid backpacker, nature lover or all of the above, the Weminuche is a dream-come-true. A few turned around on Sunlights route due to overcrowding and rockfall. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! The only southbound option for wilderness access will be Elk Park. Give our office a call at 800-642-5389 if you have any questions about what would suite you best for this trip! This trail is often used as an approach for climbing the four 14ers found in the Needle Mountains. Please remember, Colorado weather can change in an instant, so always be prepared for heat or cold, rain or snow! Soft Shell fabric deflects biting gusts, and a tricot lining retains valuable heat. All great except the rain!!! Experience this 17.4-mile out-and-back trail near Silverton, Colorado. Will definitely be back to try again and spend more time here - amazingly beautiful hiking area. Hiking Colorados Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas: A Guide to the Areas Greatest Hiking Adventures. Any feedback appreciated. was designated by Congress in 1975, and expanded by the Colorado Wilderness Acts of 1980 and 1993. with the goal of empowering the local community to give back to our most treasured wilderness. We will meet at the San Juan Mountain Guides office at 0730 and then proceed to the Durango and Silverton Railroad Station where we board the historic Narrow Gauge Train. The third bridge is gone due to an avalanche in the winter of 2004-2005 and there are no plans at this time to replace the bridge. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. Wilderness Access is only available during our summer season which runs May-October. A secondary route climbs steeply to Twin Lakes. Overall was an exciting trip and really pushed myself to catch all the peaks with my 10lb backpack for weight training. Animas River seen from Needleton Suspension Bridge. The access to these peaks and the proximity to the train stop make Elk Creek one of the most heavily used trails in the entire Weminuche Wilderness. Found it really hard to find camping and the usfs map of the basin didnt seem to match closures of where you can camp. Great hike! Of the 14 of us that started out for the summit, 12 reached the top; the two that didn't summit suffered from altitude sickness or a fear of our height. Dont forget to use a wag bag. For more in depth information, check out the. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. There are two other peaks very close by and it is possible to do all three in one day. 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. 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. Here, Colorado backpacking is at its best but also increasingly more crowded. Waterproof Gore-Tex abrasion resistant polyester uppers with a patented TPU Thermo Tech Application. Continue another 2.5 miles to reach the junction with the Animas River and the Animas River Trail. 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 . Flying drones is not permitted over congressionally designated wilderness areas or primitive areas as many people seek these places for the opportunities for solitude and quiet that they provide. Debris form 2020 avalanches on the elk park section have been cleared but theres quite a bit of fallen trees blocking the needle creek trail out of the Chicago Basin. Several hundred miles of hiking trails provide endless options for multi-day backpacking trips that promise high mountain passes, beautiful, flower-filled basins and views as far as the eye can see. Serious Tallis and scree if youre between groups - missed the morning rush window and caught 6 people on their way down. Thanks again. Every mountain we encountered was amazing! Columbine Pass and Chicago Basin probably were the highlights of the trip -- incredibly high and scenic alpine country. Once you have taken in the views and had your fill of exploring the rugged, mountainous terrain, you will follow the same route back downhill through the Chicago Basin to return to the trailhead where you began your lengthy adventure. Camping Day 1 Chicago Basin, Day 2 Vallecito Creek bridge, Day 3 Rock Creek trail junction, Day 4 Eldorado Lake where I'm meeting some Colorado Trail thru hiking friends to hike with, Day 5 Elk Park and hiking out to Molas Pass on day 6. The scenery on this tough hike is definitely worth the effort. A secondary route climbs steeply to Twin Lakes. Check out our. I summited Windom Peak in July of 2009 with a group from my high school. The elevation is what makes this so hard. 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. This area has excellent views and photographic possibilities. Currently there are no permits required for recreational activities in the Chicago Basin. Don't be afraid of Mr. T. A good pair of wrap around sunglasses are an essential item for all of our trips. Essential for all of our programs. Explore this 60.4-km point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. Er zijn geiten in Chicago Basin. Expect to see wild animals in the backcountry! The basin is a popular spot for climbers and backpackers and is home to three Colorado Fourteeners (mountains over 14,000 feet). Select a pair that fits well, is warm, and is comfortable. The nature back there is unbelievable. An ultra-compressible piece youll never leave behind, its so light and packs down so small youll forget its clipped to your harness until you throw it on to ward off a sudden mid-route downpour. Manage Settings Overall a pretty remote and isolated trail with beautiful scenery, clean water everywhere and pristine nature. A slim cut helps the CoEfficient Hoody fit comfortably under your shell, and with a redsigned, trim fit, this layer takes up little space in your pack. So minor experience is okay, but only if you have experienced guides and are in good physical condition. Also, I only summited Windom. Extremely durable and lightweight 3D Flex insert for excellent ankle mobility Vibram. 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. You ride the Durango/Silverton Steam Train and it drops you off. Backpackers and hunters may arrange for firearms to be transported as freight. Groups can not exceed 15. be aware of your place, take what you need! At 6.5 miles you begin the steep climb to Columbine Pass. Pack it for those days where you need just a touch of down insulation, or on those cold days on the chairlift when an extra layer might be crucial. Waterfall seen on hike to Chicago Basin. There were at least 5 if not 6 avalanche debris fields on the Elk creek trail. . The downed trees in forums were cleaned up and the trail was very well maintained. We made the decision to cut our trek short. Due to the popularity of the Weminuche Wilderness, it is important to choose your camp wisely. Parties must book together. We saw deers, elk, mountain goat, beavers. Except for service animals accompanying their master/trainer, we will not carry any live animals in any cars on our train. I was feeling brave so I decided to go with the 4:30 am start, figuring that if I was running late I could run the downhill from Chicago Basin to Needleton. It resides at 8,277 feet of elevation in San Juan County. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. 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. Its relatively easy to walk over/around them, but be patient and expect a slight delay. This trail travels east from the railroad, climbing into the upper reaches of the Needle Mountains. 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. 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. Hiked to base camp - lots of sites but it can be crowded for a reason. We had been told by the forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields in the basin. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). The trail connects Wolf Creek Pass approximately 30 minutes east of Pagosa Springs, CO to Stoney Pass near Silverton, CO by traveling through the rugged beauty of both the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests. Typically a 4 oz. A great addition to any of our programs. 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. There are a lot of down trees and we had rain and some route finding to cross streams. 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. Looking good is important too. The alpine meadows are full of blooming wildflowers in late July and August. Book This 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. They were all well marked but took extra time to navigate. Trail conditions often change rapidly; please be well prepared! Lots of flowers, waterfalls, and views. LockA locked padlock We had a couple of long days and some short days with lots of time to relax. 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. A great day in one of Colorados most beautiful areas. An official website of the We strongly recommend advanced booking to assure seating. : The Pine River alternates between meadows and canyon, frequently flowing peacefully on the flat valley floor. Photo @brooklynwarren Recent avalanche activity over the winter/spring created several debris fields that required us to do some significant trailblazing. All summits in the Rocky Mountains require varying amounts of mountaineering skills; those attempting any of them should be mindful of the hazards of afternoon thunderstorms, sudden drops in temperature, and precipitous terrain. Absolutely stunning! I'd definitely had Sunlight (class 4) and Windom ("hard class 2" according to me). Summited at 10:30am. At its core is a moisture-managing microfiber fabric that is wind resistant and able to control odor. A trip to Chicago Basin provides the opportunity to climb three of Colorados 14ers Mt. In my opinion its gonna be months before the snow melts and trails are accessible and even then there are a ton of trees that will still need to be cut and moved off the trail. My experience was only the indoor climbing gym and small, simple hiking excursions around my hometown. 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. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land. 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. This pack is well suited for weekend excursions or quick overnight forays when you are toting less than 40 pounds. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source. Plan accordingly. Trail to Chicago Basin. Sad to see all the beetle damage. Avalanche debris was cleared. Unoccupied seats will be sold as a no-show. The 8:15am Silverton Diesel excursion will service all short stops for wilderness access through August 13. While phones these days offer excellent quality, nothing beats the reliability of a dedicated digital camera. Know Before You Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and More, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters AVY Course and a Solid crew We meet at the San Juan Mountain Guides office in the afternoon or early evening in order to go over equipment, food, and logistics issues for the following morning. Eolus, Windom Peak, and Sunlight Peak Routes. We rode the train from Silverton to the trailhead. Call our reservation office for dates and times of other flagstops. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir All Season mattress is lightweight, durable, extremely warm, and the ultimate solution to year-round backcountry comfort. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. All livestock feed must be certified weed free. Chicago Basin comprises the upper portion of the Needle Creek watershed in the Needle Mountains (Colorado), . Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. I wouldn't even be able to tell you the way my group and I went up. We got off the train at elk park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day. We reached the summit around 11 AM and headed back shortly after-about 12 hours round trip. Needle Creek Trail #504 to Chicago Basin, CO Hike Private Messages X Notifications X Replies X Home Home FAQ Contribute Shop Find TrailDEX Filter Areas A to Z Easy Hikes in Season Dog Hikes in Season Plan MapRoute Editor Route CloudRoute Scout Foliage DEX Wildflower DEX Add Publish a Guide Chicago Basin is easily spotted as it's where the trees clear out and you're met with a grassy meadow with patches of trees to camp under. The downed trees that had once covered the trail in early June have since been cleared for the most part. View from trail to Sunlight Peak. 1-877-872-4607 Sign Up To Receive Our Emails We know that by working together, doing the hard work on the ground, and the slow work of building a wilderness conservation ethic, that we can protect the amazing wild character of the Weminuche for ourselves and for future generations. The turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). Backpackers with plenty of time on their hands might hike the Divide Trail north to either Stony Pass or the Highland Mary Lakes area. Synthetic socks area must for all outdoor activities. From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin. These pants dig climbs that take them a few hundred feet off the deck. San Juan Mountain Guides LLC provides services and employment opportunities regardless of an individuals ethnic or cultural heritage, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or physical handicap. is_redirect && ! Packs will be loaded and stored in a boxcar under the supervision of the train crew. The turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). All of the packs are unloaded and the train departs leaving you (and about 30 other people) all alone. Below are some approximate driving times if youd like to drive to Durango. This took us 2 hours (7:45am - 9:40am), stopping for pictures and water. From the Needleton drop cross the Animas River on a good footbridge. The Radar Pocket cap is packable, durable, and looks great! As you visit, you will join thousands of others who travel in the Weminuche each year. Official websites use .gov A .gov Needleton train stop: Ride in on the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. All in all beautiful scenery and a great hike. There are no southbound stops at Needleton for departures from Silverton. It's near McDonald's and has a large parking area nearby. From the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad stop travel less than a mile to the junction with Animas River Trail. The summit provides quite a view of various 14ers, Elk Park basin, Sunlight, Windom, and a couple alpine lakes. The unincorporated community of Needleton is very secluded east from the Highway 550. #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, Days out working on mixed leading skills with San Juan Client and guide Jesse Selwyn This hike is definitely a good one! Want to learn more about our current projects, ways to stay involved and news from the San Juan Mountains Association? Gain access to the San Juan National Forest and the Weminuche Wilderness for backpacking, day hikes, rafting, and fishing trips via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad during the summer season. This is the general newsletter signup form. Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose #5 Excursions, K-28 100th Anniversary Fall Photo Special, Ghost Crawl: Haunted Durango Train Museum Experience, http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/sanjuan/wilderness. The trailhead for the Chicago Basin Hike can be found at the Needleton Flagstop along the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The delightful mountain towns of Durango, Silverton, Pagosa Springs, South Fork and Creede surround and provide access into the wilderness. This is a very popular area for camping, fishing, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. jersey journal obituaries bayonne, nj,