Eventually, it became steeper, to the point where there were some moments of exposure. This was my first hike of more than five miles. For comparison, where we live is around 800 feet above sea level. Will b taking my 19 yr old son in early August this year for his first extended back country pack trip. We didnt take the train so we started at Molas Lake and walked to Needlestop. As with the other days, we passed many streams and waterfalls on the way up. It looked like a nice spot, close to the water, but the views werent excellent. It seems that most people in Chicago Basin came from the Needleton stop, hiked here, and turned around and went back the way they came. Between the trailhead marker and train stop was actually private property with a few shacks, cabins, and homes built. Heres what we learned while preparing for the Elk Park to Needleton hike, plus a few things I wish Id known ahead of time! We set our packs up on a rock ledge with rain covers on, hoping thats be enough to keep them dry. Yet another day we found ourselves traversing a pass in bad weather. There were a bunch of waterfalls along Needle Creek though. The Twin Lakes were still in the shadows, as the sun had not yet risen high enough to illuminate it. This will give you time to make it to your seats before the final boarding call. Did this route from July 28 to August 3. Lisa just made it up over the last rocky ridge on the CDT, giving way to views of Eldorado Lake. I wasnt sore at all until day 4 or 5, with only moderate soreness in the hamstrings. I was happy we brought along puffer jackets and rain coats. The amazing view from Hunchback Pass clouds. Elk Park flag stop to Needleton flag stop between Durango and Silverton Elk Park flag stop to Needleton flag stop between Durango and Silverton. Have a good hike! Not once did we get wet crossing a stream. Before we knew it, we saw the Weminuche Wilderness boundary sign. The weather looked like it was holding out as we neared the top, but it looked like it could turn bad at any moment. 28 miles, a little over 8k' of elevation gain. Oregon Desert Trail (2022) *Coming Soon Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. After the train dropped us off at Elk Park, it was pretty quiet. Morning of day 2, climbing up the Colorado Trail, Going up a funky section of the Colorado Trail, below the Miners Cabin. With no campfire, stars to gaze at, or any other reason to remain awake, we went to bed as the sun went down. On the train, make sure to talk to the train staff! By tnmule20, February 10, 2022 in Camping & High Adventure. Then, we saw 2 mountain goats on the other side of Needle Creek that had just walked into someones camp. The skies were pretty blue now and there was abundant sunshine. Required fields are marked *. I chose my path through the first boulder field above the lake and started moving. It was almost comical how many people waved at us as the train chugged through town. We saw very little traffic through our area where we camped, despite being right next to the trail. I was very surprised that there were no seats available, the train was pretty packed. Prepare to not have a cell signal. Unlike Snowmass though, the trail here was more open and very well worn, and not much here to get me wet. It was cloudy and grey though, so pictures werent coming out good. This is where Eldorado Lake drains off the mountainside and down to the Miners Cabin area we passed earlier today, Looking up at 13,627ft White Dome from the Eldorado Lake drainage. To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. Interesting views in the upper Chicago Basin area. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Lisa spent the morning chasing away mountain goats. Keep a close eye on your belongings: these feisty critters can chew threw packs quickly. This is a popular trail for birding and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. After checking our gear and getting set up, we were on our way. 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. Lisa was out roaming too, watching the many Ptarmigan birds in the area. 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. Finally, some views! Youll encounter very rocky terrain (skip the zero drop / barefoot style boots on these trails your feet will be too sore!). Please be aware that reservations can only be made from Durango and Silverton originations. Complete Weminuche Wilderness Photo Gallery | Weminuche HD Video. Very nice trip report! However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! Early morning at the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad station. Bugs were pretty bad this year. The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. Start your next Durango outdoor adventure from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. If youre boarding the train at a flag stop, you need to alert the conductor. In summer, you may want to bring along a bug net to fit over your hat to protect yourself from mosquitoes, gnats and black flies. Obviously I skipped this route on our way up here, opting to go the traditional way up the switchbacks to the CDT, but I was curious if it was doable. From the bottom though, I couldnt tell where the switchbacks started. Many jokes were cracked regarding the stench of ones self or others in their group. Lisa was still far below me, and the other hikers told her to hike directly to her right a ways until she hit the switchbacks, as they had a clear view from above us. Very good tip report. We also saw more people this morning than the rest of the trip combined! As we gained elevation, the Animas River became more and more impressive. Miles: 45 Days: 6-8 Difficulty: Strenuous. Youll be hiking in a wilderness area. It felt good to be hiking today its amazing what a little sunshine can do. Check out my AWESOME DIY stealth camper van build project! Learn more about the wildlife in the area. Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road. Where did you get the map? After lunch, we continued to climb in elevation until we reached the Miners Cabin just below the CDT. As crappy as the weather has been all day, I havent seen any lightning yet. Bob Marshall. It also didnt hurt that we pampered ourselves a little afterwards with a leisurely day at Pagosa Springs. The weather started clearing up after about mile 4. I wonder how they get to their homes, since there are no roads anywhere near here. We met others that were completing this 36-40 mile trip as we were walking into the wilderness from Needleton. It was very quiet once the train left Elk Park. Finally, the weather is cooperating! Thanks for sharing. Lots of flowers, waterfalls, and views. You then pass over the continental divide twice and the train picks you back up. Nearly everyone who comes by Needleton does so via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Wilderness access gives riders an opportunity to book with the intention of getting off the train and getting outdoors. The trail flattens out at the basin below Columbine Lake and once you arrive you're in for a real treat. This was after 10 minutes of having rocks thrown at them. But if you need an even warmer quilt, weve heard very good things about the quilts from Enlightened Equipment. I got injured jumping off the bridge there, so we couldn't complete the hike north over hunchback pass, and down Elk creekwe were kinda bummed. 18-21 September 2017. 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. After realizing that, I looked around and could see where the trail picked up again, and started hiking directly towards the trail in the distance. We had a lot of rain, starting everyday around 1 pm and lasting for a couple of hours. Not today, it gre more and more intense as time went on. However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. Otherwise, you can order a big map from mytopo.com. You have to make the backpacker train reservations by phone, not online. Note that these satellite device options typically require that you have an active subscription to use the features. 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. Lots of people in the Chicago Basin, no one in the Johnson creek or Vallecito creek area. 2/21/22 12:55pm. There is no road access to either the Elk Park or Needleton trail access points. Length: 7.9 mi Est. Still a good ways from the pass, we pushed on as the rains started in their usual off and on fashion. But we opted to take the train! Done over 5 nights and 6 days. Twin Lakes, still waiting for early morning light to hit tis waters. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. Very useful. This snowshoe hare looks as if it could shoot lasers from its eyes, Campsite along the Elk Park trail, around 10,300ft. My wife and I completed this hike in September of 2016 and loved it. Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton is a 37 mile less popular intermediate route located near Silverton Colorado. I couldnt really see Kite Lake well from the the CDT, but as I said earlier, my mind was pretty much set. I was . ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Everywhere along the horizon, fog could be seen rising from the mountains. Very clear and interesting. We reached the drop off at Elk Park (about . There were tons of mines dotting the mountainside, some of which looked pretty difficult to get to. Great report, how can I get your waypoints? Our stop is Elk Park, a 3 hour ride from Durango. They were all well marked but took extra time to navigate. 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. We heard later that there was a porcupine in the area chewing on things, so it couldve been the culprit. In good weather it should not be a problem. 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. After leaving Chicago Basin, the trail was actually kind of boring compared to the rest of our hike. The times we've done this, the train departed Silverton about 2:45 PM and dropped us of by 3:45 PM. View Profile Chicago Basin area was very pretty, and not too crowded with tents. Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). Elk Park/Needleton Loop, Colorado. Todays hike was all uphill, but it wasnt too strenuous. Now through this little plateau area, the trail starts heaving down pretty quick. Excellent trip, lots of varied terrain, meadows, forests, small mountain ponds and lakes, avalanche tree slides, large and small rock slides, multiple high passes with great views. Depending on where you plan to board the train, plan ahead and determine which parking option meets your needs best. I am curious - does anyone have first hand knowledge of current conditions in Chicago Basin, Columbine Pass, Johnson Creek and Vallecito Trail. We stopped to eat lunch on a talus slope and observed many pikas, no marmots yet though. Cell service is highly unlikely. My two 15 year olds and I just completed it mid July 2021 and it took us five days. Although it was monsoon season during our trip, we were told that the coal cinders often start forest fires. One of the things that makes this loop so special is that the trailheads can both be reached via the Silverton-Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad, a tourist train pulled by a steam locomotive that has been used in dozens of . I made it to the top before Lisa and snapped a few pictures before the rain returned moments later. Also, A creek ran through the area and created an interesting looking gorge that I wish I had more time to check out, but we really wanted to get to camp right now. Would you advise camping at Columbine Lake? I think we also got hailed on every day as well, with the exception of our last day. Hikers can be seen on the Continental Divide Trail, above on the ridgeline, The path up to the CDT is a long, winding series of switchbacks. We chatted for a while and took turns taking pictures of each other before they headed down. It might be tough to find a good alpine hike that early in the season. They could not believe how small the pad was, but I got the impression it was too ultralight for them. I was awestruck with the beauty of those mountains. The first morning of a hike always takes the longest to get going. Expect to see (or at least hear) marmots and pikas, as well as lots of chipmunks. The sun was shining on the Twin Lakes now, and it was beautiful. I did this loop in Late August in the mid 90s and must have gotten a lucky dry weather window. This was perfect! Share Followers 0. Overall a pretty remote and isolated trail with beautiful scenery, clean water everywhere and pristine nature. 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. I figured the total mileage for today would be about 14 miles, but everything after mile 4 or so would be downhill. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Eric Poulin, long distance hiker and outdoor adventurer, Greenland Hike/Packraft Expedition (2022) *Coming Soon I hung out up here a while longer before deciding to head down around 10am. The San Juan mountains are notorious for being snowy and the best time is probably mid July to Mid September. There is no road access to either the Elk Park or Needleton trail access points. Id say we averaged 5 people seen per day on days 1-4. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. Looking for a 40-60 mile, week trip. When youre in the Chicago Basin, watch for mountain goats! Weminuche Wilderness, CO Elk Park/Needleton Loop Hike. The Elk Park stop gives you access to the Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Vallecito Creek Trail. There were 2 large pines growing 3 feet apart, creating a dry spot large enough for our tent, all out gear, places to sit, and more. Nice! See this list of my favorite freeze-dried meals if youre curious about what theyre like. Campsite in Chicago Basin for nights 4 and 5. That's $100 bucks round-trip for a train ticket! There were many campsites to choose from in the area near the Vallecito Creek Bridge. Some pretty sections, but a bit disappointed overall. El mejor momento para visitar esta . with an Osprey water bladder. It was incredible to see the clouds taking over the area! Save on outdoor activities, tours & rentals. Route Vallecito Creek Bridge to Chicago Basin. It was around 1:45pm when we rolled into camp today. There were many stream crossings and several large waterfalls that we passed, but due to the weather and number of miles we had to cover, we didnt spend any time checking most of them out. 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. Trains run daily, with wilderness access available during summer months. Route Eldorado Lake to Vallecito Creek Bridge. 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. We had a couple of long days and some short days with lots of time to relax. The weather was once again threatening to rain as I made it to the top, finally sitting up on the CDT. Train ride through the beautiful San Juan mountains on the way to our drop off point at Elk Park. Small amounts of debris from avalanche on the Needles creek trail but easy to navigate. Todays hike will take us the rest of the way up the Elk Creek drainage along the Colorado trail, where well hit the Continental Divide Trail, or CDT. I am really loving the granola & almonds, its chocked full of complex carbs and good fats, perfect for hiking. We only had to wait 30 minutes before suiting up. On this section of the trail, the views were mostly obstructed by trees until we reached the beaver pond at mile 3. I chucked some rocks and shouted at them, but theyd just walk 5 feet away and stare back at us. There are a lot of down trees and we had rain and some route finding to cross streams. Oh well. We settled for this spot and set up camp by 4pm or so. This entry was posted on August 29, 2013. I was mainly happy to dry out my boots. It was raining up here and quite cold. It was a little windy last night, which can make it hard to sleep. After heading down more switchbacks, I spied a suitable place to call home of the next 2 nights. Heres my caltopo map of the Elk Park/Needleton hike: There are no fees or permits needed to hike or camp in the Weminuche Wilderness. One night while we slept inside our River Country trekking pole tent, something chewed the cork handle off one of the poles (presumably because of salt residue from sweat). This satellite powered device is able to track your location on a digital map, share your location with friends/family, send basic text messages, and (most importantly) it has an emergency SOS button to get help. I like these Sunski polarized sunglasses and Shady Rays sunglasses. I am going in Aug 2017 and want to make sure to get a good map. After taking some great photos near the lake, I started heading down. Definitely recommend to bring waterproofs shoes and pants to be comfortable. Pack your food in a bear sling or bear canister. This is the beaver pond that people often reference when hiking this section of trail. This looks more like some of the pictures Id seen of the San Juans before our trip. Did the 38.6 mile loop from Elk. Either way, it was going to be another short day with only about 6 miles to cover. Fortunately it was all downhill, so we could cover some serious ground, which I assumed would be at the expense of my knees. I still panned on climbing Windom and maybe Sunlight. I forced myself to get out of the tent and go explore the area. Once past the tricky part near the top of the pass, it was your general steep descent via switchbacks. 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.
elk park train stop to needleton