#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 A mecca for climbing, hiking, cycling, and foodies; make sure you plan to spend some time in town before and after your SJMG trip. A must have for alpine and ice climbing trips and objectives. Failure to have gear loaded by the appointed time could cause you to lose your seats. All participants must read and sign an Assumption of Risks/Liability Waiver and agree to our Reservations and Cancellations Policies. In order to reach the Chicago Basin, you will need to take the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and get off at the Needleton Flagstop. Buy a ticket for the train that stops at Needleton and ride the train 2.5 hours (~30 miles) to the Needleton stop. Spruce beetle infestations and avalanche falls have led to thousands of downed trees that block trail access and affect local ecosystems. The elevation is what makes this so hard. Hiking Colorados Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas: A Guide to the Areas Greatest Hiking Adventures. We loved this trail and would highly recommend! Only the Silverton Diesel Train is designated for flag stops. Dogs - Allowed. [emailprotected]. , which equips and trains local volunteers, empowering them to give back to the Weminuche. Click here for more information on parking.SILVERTON:You are invited to park your vehicle at our Silverton Depot on 10th& Cement Streets at no charge. At approximately 1.5 miles, the trail reaches Purgatory Flats, a wide open area along Cascade Creek. During the Summer of 2023, San Juan Mountain Guides will be offering the Chicago Basin Backpacking trip only by Private Arrangement. Again, we did North Eolus, which is the same trail as Mount Eolus (until you reach the saddle). Great trail. Marmots and mountain goats will explore your camp so be sure to hang your food, trash, and toiletries between two trees at least 10 feet from the ground or so. 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. Fog and trees seen from Chicago Basin. View from trail to Sunlight Peak. Expect to see wild animals in the backcountry! 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. , this is the most popular backpacking loop in the Weminuche. Filter your water again at Twin Lakes and then continue to your mountain of choice. Hikers should take note that, while this route isnt overly technical, it will still require a good amount of hiking experience. 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. From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin. Completed this loop early July 2021. 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. The delightful mountain towns of Durango, Silverton, Pagosa Springs, South Fork and Creede surround and provide access into the wilderness. Highlights were kite lake, columbine pass, and Chicago basin. 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. Its relatively easy to walk over/around them, but be patient and expect a slight delay. The SJMG Durango office is located at 1111 Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO 81301. Donations to this fund go directly to educate wilderness visitors and implement on-the-ground stewardship projects in the Weminuche. 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. Met amazing people and followed the creek for photography shots. It spattered at us but wasn't too bad. Camped in Chicago Basin for the night. This took us 2 hours (7:45am - 9:40am), stopping for pictures and water. There are two ways to get into the Chicago Basin - a looong hike in from Purgatory or a ride on the Durango Silverton Train. 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. My experience was only the indoor climbing gym and small, simple hiking excursions around my hometown. But always be aware of thunderstorms and get an early start when summiting a mountain! Er zijn geiten in Chicago Basin. You need at minimum either a soft shell jacket or hard shell jacket for local Ouray based winter courses and programs. Unless you have a current Season Pass there is a freight charge per backpack ($15). Elevations range from 8,000 feet at trailheads to over 14,000 at the peaks. Sunlight Peak is fairly remote and is surrounded by wild terrain, including a number of rugged mountains, the beautifully scenic Twin Lakes, and the vast Chicago Basin. 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. The day after that we hiked out. We rode the train from Silverton to the trailhead. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. For more information on accessing Chicago Basin, the San Juan Mountains and the Weminuche Wilderness area visit our Wilderness Access page here. ), 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. Highly recommend. Needleton is now a flag stop on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Want to report conditions for this trail? Head out on this 17.4-mile out-and-back trail near Silverton, Colorado. Check trailhead signs or Forest Service Offices for site-specific camping, campfire, and livestock regulations. There aren't any roads to the trailhead so you have two options. The fund also supports SJMAs volunteer ranger program, which equips and trains local volunteers, empowering them to give back to the Weminuche. Some of these areas can be accessed via a narrow gauge train that runs between Durango and Silverton. Either way, we offer plenty of fixed date trip options to get you out into Colorado's finest wilderness area! These pants dig climbs that take them a few hundred feet off the deck. Choose your footing wisely here as rocks will shift and fall away. 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. From here, we hiked the 6 miles to get to Chicago Basin and our camping spot. Supported by the Weminuche Wilderness Stewardship Fund, the. We didnt take the train so we started at Molas Lake and walked to Needlestop. This was my first hike of more than five miles. Dont forget to use a wag bag. Route NOTICE: Starting 2019, only trains starting from Durango will drop hikers off at the Needleton stop. Trail conditions often change rapidly; please be well prepared! Today well have the opportunity to explore Chicago Basin and potentially hike a 14er, Windom Peak (14,083 ft.) if weather allows. North Eolus was an easy transition across. Hike your own pace and keep pushing yourselves :). Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock We got to the train stop at noon and the train picked us up at 3pm. We just finished this trail. Het maakt een stop (op verzoek) bij Needleton, een locatie in de buurt van de samenvloeiing van Needle Creek en de Animas. Chicago Basin Trip Planning GuideSan Juan National Forest information. some lite scrambling is neccessary. This is a unique experience and adds an interesting start and finish to our trekking trips unlike any other in the US. We strongly recommend advanced booking to assure seating. Manage Settings Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. 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. Local: 970.325.4925 Similar to the base layer top. Visitors to Chicago Basin typically ride the train from Durango or Silverton, get off at Needleton, and hike about 6 miles . The only southbound option for wilderness access will be Elk Park. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir All Season mattress is lightweight, durable, extremely warm, and the ultimate solution to year-round backcountry comfort. Below are some approximate driving times if youd like to drive to Durango. At the Divide, the trail connects with the Continental Divide Trail. It was a dream and once in a lifetime trip! This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. This was our third trek on this trail. Our trek group of 6 - ages ranging from 17 to 64 years. Definitely recommend to bring waterproofs shoes and pants to be comfortable. Mechanized means of transport are not permitted (mountain bikes). Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. Our guides always carry a comprehensive medical kit but it's nice to have your own as well. Click here for more information on parking. 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. By following this drainage downstream for 8.5 miles, it is possible to hike up Johnson Creek for a little over five miles to Columbine Pass. Our Outside Magazine and Mens Journal Gear of the Year award-winning storm shell is engineered for fast-and-light alpine climbs and all-day backcountry tours. Synthetic socks area must for all outdoor activities. DURANGO: Long term parking in Durango is available in our large lot adjacent to the train yards. Backpackers and hunters may arrange for firearms to be transported as freight. I highly recommend it. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Located in the heart of the Needle Mountainsdeep in the Weminuche Wildernesslies. Great backpacking experience!! You have the option to either call our office and register via phone or utilize our secure Online Reservation System. The Radar Pocket cap is packable, durable, and looks great! (Sorry not an actual review, looking for advice) @Chris Bracken / or anyone else who has recently hiked Chicago Basin - are crampons recommended in order to summit even 1 of the 14ers? A great addition to any of our programs. The trip from Durango to the Needleton stop is about 2.5 hours (the train is very slow). Roundtrip prices range from $143 - $186, and one-ways to Needles start as low as $76. This was the last day for me in the Colorado alpine. Be prepared to spend on average 5 days to complete the loop, and make the proper arrangements. Check out our trail access page for more information. on official, secure websites. Durango Silverton Train. A variety is always best. 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. 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. 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. Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton Train Stop is a 36 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail that features beautiful wild flowers. On day three, we made our way up and over the Continental Divide and into the beautiful meadow just below Hunchback Pass. The card will allow reimbursement to county sheriffs for costs incurred on a mission. All in all beautiful scenery and a great hike. However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! Ice fest is next week we hope to see you there! Wilderness 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.
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