The water tasted great and was very cold. The weather was holding out all morning, shine shining and blue skies. We made the decision to cut our trek short. I was happy we brought along puffer jackets and rain coats. They didnt seem to concerned with our presence though. Expect to pay for the train tickets, a baggage fee (for your backpack, which goes in the boxcar train), and an overnight parking fee. Esta ruta es popular para mochilear, disfrutar de la observacin de aves y ir de camping, sin embargo, podrs disfrutar de algo de paz durante los momentos ms tranquilos del da. I was very surprised that there were no seats available, the train was pretty packed. The skies were cloudy all around us though. These guys didnt seem as threatening though. Cachanilla83. They can be a lifesaver on a long hike. The hiker who told me about the mice up here had camped here last night. I learned this the hard way when hiking around Snowmass Lake last year. I was . I dont like to sit in the tent if I dont have to. By tnmule20, February 10, 2022 in Camping & High Adventure. I only saw a steep trail consisting of loose rock. Any and all kinds of weather! Id say there were about 20 people total here waiting for the train. Por lo general, se considera una ruta moderada, que se tarda una media de 20 h 5 min en recorrer. Twin Lakes, still waiting for early morning light to hit tis waters. This section of trail is also part of the Colorado Trail, a 400 mile trail that goes from Durango to Denver. Length: 7.9 mi Est. We chatted for a while and took turns taking pictures of each other before they headed down. I climbed up to the top of this ridge for some truly amazing views of the Weminuche Wilderness, Beautiful views of Eldorado Lake during the best weather of the afternoon, Awesome views from an unnamed high point above Eldorado Lake. When we stopped for lunch, two deer wandered into our resting area. While we ate our sandwiches, they grazed about 40 feet away as if we werent even there. Done over 5 nights and 6 days. We may earn a commission when you use one of our links to make a purchase. I think we also got hailed on every day as well, with the exception of our last day. Not today, it gre more and more intense as time went on. Instead of heading over to Sunlight, I decided to follow the drainage leading to Twin Lakes and explore that area. The trail follows the 44 road past the lake, and then winds towards the trail leading up to Hunchback Pass. We knew that the odds were pretty good that goats would wander near us too, eventually. See this list of my favorite freeze-dried meals if youre curious about what theyre like. I am really loving the granola & almonds, its chocked full of complex carbs and good fats, perfect for hiking. This was perfect! This hike primary route. 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. The ones that did look edible werent ripe yet. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! Sultan Peak | Map, Guide - Silverton, CO | AllTrails Top things to do in Durango, Colorado - Uncover Colorado The water in Elk Creek was super clear, so I didnt have to pre-filter any of it before using my Steri-Pen Opti UV water purifier. I packed a peanut butter sandwich, some jerky, and a Metrx bar to eat later, as well as 2 liters of water. To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. The Needleton stop also gives you access to the Needle Creek Trail, Johnson Creek Trail and the Chicago Basin. I figured the total mileage for today would be about 14 miles, but everything after mile 4 or so would be downhill. Every campground, hotel, and intersection we passed, there were people waving at the train. I just forwarded the link so he get get psyched up! You could see burnt trees the entire train ride, so I guess its a pretty real threat. I made it to the top before Lisa and snapped a few pictures before the rain returned moments later. 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. Otherwise, you can order a big map from mytopo.com. We heard later that there was a porcupine in the area chewing on things, so it couldve been the culprit. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. Weminuche Wilderness in southern Colorado. You take a train from No hot dogs tonight, maybe night 3. As the sun went down, the goats headed back up the mountainside for the evening. We set our packs up on a rock ledge with rain covers on, hoping thats be enough to keep them dry. We also brought along these touch-screen activewear gloves, Buffs to help protect us from sun (or keep our ears warm), silk thermals for a base layer, and a balaclava to keep warm at night. Miles Hiked 7.4 This was a class 3 in my opinion. Between the trailhead marker and train stop was actually private property with a few shacks, cabins, and homes built. In addition to us, there was also a group of 2, 3, and 4 other hikers who also got off the train. If you are open to suggestions, maybe have a look at the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico. False alarm. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. This was after 10 minutes of having rocks thrown at them. Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road. There were tons of mines dotting the mountainside, some of which looked pretty difficult to get to. People really are friendly in Colorado! Miles Hiked 5.7 (summit Windom Peak starting from camp in Chicago Basin) In good weather it should not be a problem. To reach this trail on foot, some hikers make a longer loop from the Molas Trail (about four miles). I couldnt really see Kite Lake well from the the CDT, but as I said earlier, my mind was pretty much set. This route climbs 8,523 ft with a max elevation of 12,843 ft then descends -9,174 ft. Local Trail Association The trail is always very clear and easy to follow. There were no signs of private property here, so we hung out here while we waited for the train. Continental Divide Trail At the Divide, the trail connects with the Continental Divide Trail. I headed up and made good time moving through here as it was pretty easy. By the time we reached the lake, the peaks around us were completely engulfed by the clouds. However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! Not cheap by any means, but it was a cool way to enter and leave the wilderness. Elk Park to Needleton Loop, plus side trips including:-Vestal Basin . Sometimes 2 to a flower. See the beauty of the San Juans on a guided tour. 7 of the Best Summer Backpacking Trips in the Mountain West The altitude on this backpacking loop varies from around 8,000 to nearly 13,000 feet above sea level. 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. Finally, it was time to start this hike. This seemed pretty pointless though, because we just stood around until about 7:50. For suggestions, see my guides to the best womens hiking boots and hiking gear for men. 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The weather started clearing up after about mile 4. Go figure, good weather on the last day. Keep a close eye on your belongings: these feisty critters can chew threw packs quickly. The people were yelling at them and throwing rocks to try and scare them away, but the goats were pretty stubborn. Before we knew it, we saw the Weminuche Wilderness boundary sign. The only stop on the southbound trail in the afternoon is Elk Park. So much for being packed. We hardly saw any other hikers until Chicago Basin. Im considering doing this loop this summer and you have really helped! Of course, now it starts to rain for the first time today. Nine miles long, the route climbs 3,760 feet to the Continental Divide. As the evening progressed, we saw several deer both near our camp and off in the distance. 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. On the train, make sure to talk to the train staff! Since there are no fires allowed in Chicago Basin or the rest of the Needle Creek drainage, and the fact that I was planning on climbing in morning, we called it an early night and went to bed shortly after sundown. Your email address will not be published. Prueba esta ruta de punto a punto de 37,3-millas cerca de Silverton, Colorado. At mile 4.25 or so, there were some nice camping spots in the meadow. Everything was wet, including my feet. Back up on the CDT, it was evident that the weather was not going to cooperate today. You can download the GPX file here: http://metalbackpacker.com/wp-content/uploads/gpx/WeminucheRouteHiked.gpx. If you found my trip report useful, please dont hesitate to leave a comment! Awesome, glad it was useful to you. Absolutely stunning! Shortly after Elk Park along the Colorado Trail, also called the Elk Park trail for this section. Nearly everyone who comes by Needleton does so via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton is a 37 mile less popular intermediate route located near Silverton Colorado. The map in my trip report is generated from a wordpress plugin, where I uploaded my GPX file of the hike. Unlike Snowmass though, the trail here was more open and very well worn, and not much here to get me wet. Just import my GPX file and then you can print it out. After 3 hours, we were finally back in Durango. We also packed an MSR PocketRocket Deluxe backpacking stove to boil water for all our freeze-dried meals, our hand-pump espresso machine, and a lightweight hatchet multitool to help with campfires. Weminuche Wilderness, CO - Elk Park/Needleton Loop Hike There was an insane amount of biting flies and mosquitoes by the river here though, and I was regretting my decision to leave the bug spray and mosquito head net behind. Its also a good idea to drink lots of water (more so than at sea level). Making reservations to ride the train to the wilderness is easy. From above, I spotted a deer down below on the trail to Kite Lake. Before I knew it though, I was was past the steeper summit section and back down to a more obvious trail. One of the biggest drawing points of the Elk Creek trail is the unique opportunity to combine a Wilderness trip with a ride on a steam locomotive. Go to the print button at the top and choose print to pdf. Hiking The Elk Park/Needleton Loop Weminuche Wilderness My wife and I completed this hike in September of 2016 and loved it. If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. After a nice relaxing break, we hit the trail again. Im interesting in making this same trip this year, and was wondering if you knew when the optimal season is? Very good tip report. The pictures dont even come close to being there first hand. After lunch, the trail had gained enough elevation to start giving us some better views as it passed alongside some cliffs. Any way to access this trail without riding the train? Parking in Durango is $8 per day for cars and $10 per day for RVs. Once on board, you'll be able to ride back to Durango or Silverton to finish your adventure. Thats how I do it these days. We loved this trail and would highly recommend! It rained a little very briefly when I got back, then was party sunny the rest of the day with only a few intermittent showers. Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton Moderate (39) Weminuche Wilderness Photos (318) Directions Print/PDF Map Share Experience this 57.9-km point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. A very convenient spot for an abandoned shack to be located. 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. About a half hour later we arrived at the bridge, and it was a welcome sight. Did the 38.6 mile loop from Elk. Would you advise camping at Twin Lakes? TR: Elk Park/Needleton Loop with extras - WhiteBlaze The rocks were still icy and required some careful footwork in some spots to negotiate. Looking for a 40-60 mile, week trip. At the bridge over New York Creek, there was a waterfall right there along the trail.. Animas River, from the bridge at the Needleton train stop. On day four, we hiked along the 4wd road to Pole Creek and picked up our ride there. I dont know which to trust, but it was a long day regardless. Needleton Bridge Trailhead // Colorado 13ers Again, a lot of trees were down that we had to circumnavigate. After the train dropped us off at Elk Park, it was pretty quiet. 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. They ran downhill and out of sight, and I kept moving. I updated this post to include a map of the Weminuche Wilderness, with trailhead locations marked. Before reaching the trails down to Kite/Eldorado Lakes, we had to hike over a 100ft rocky ridge, just as the clouds looked their worst. The train follows the overall route of the Animas River northward from Durango and stops at Silverton, however, we werent going that far. 18-21 September 2017. Excellent views all around. Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). Where did you get the map? Swampy, muddy areas where your foot sinks ankle deep in mud are also likely, as well as multiple creek crossings. At 2:45, we heard a train approaching that sounded its whistle. Soon enough it was back to the rain. Some hikers we met said that it sleeted on them one evening (when it had only rained on us). tnmule20 68 Posted February 10, 2022. tnmule20. I took advantage of the weather and took a ton of pictures up here. It was raining up here and quite cold. For comparison, where we live is around 800 feet above sea level. Note that these satellite device options typically require that you have an active subscription to use the features. A hiking boot is preferable. After setting up the tent in light rain, I decided to take shelter in the tent as the rain continued. Also, bring a way to filter water. Elk Park/Needleton Loop, Colorado. There are a lot of down trees and we had rain and some route finding to cross streams. Wilderness Access Train Rides - Durango.com Many jokes were cracked regarding the stench of ones self or others in their group. After crossing the bridge over the Animas River to the train tracks on the other side, we spotted an abandoned shack. But if you need an even warmer quilt, weve heard very good things about the quilts from Enlightened Equipment. Seeking Lost: Thru-Hiking & Backpacking Adventures, Complete Weminuche Wilderness Photo Gallery, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 8 Day Rockhounding & Mineral Collecting in the Santa Teresa Mountains, AZ (Nov 2022), How Much Did It Cost?? I decided to head downhill in a hurry. The Needleton stop also gives you access to the Needle Creek Trail, Johnson Creek Trail and the Chicago Basin. After all, it was Saturday evening. Did this route from July 28 to August 3. The weather looked like it was holding out as we neared the top, but it looked like it could turn bad at any moment. You ride the Durango/Silverton Steam Train and it drops you off. The best spot for camping was at Kite Lake, worth waking up to see the sunrise reflected on the lake. From Twin Lakes, I made it back to my campsite in 35 minutes. Are you planning a backpacking adventure in the Weminuche Wilderness of southern Colorado? Our most reliable digital map was from Garmin, within the Garmin Explore app on my phone. The trail was much easier to hike than I was anticipating, and I was covering pretty good ground. Going down always looks much harder! When taking a train leaving from Durango, you need to be in your seat 30 minutes before departure. Todays hike was all uphill, but it wasnt too strenuous. Parking is available at the Silverton Depot at no charge. Miles Hiked 5.4 Check out this 17.3-mile out-and-back trail near Durango, Colorado. As of the 2013 season, a round-trip ticket is $90.10 + $10.00 for your pack. Very useful. The mountain goats I saw on the rocks earlier were in the same general spot on my way back. I chose my path through the first boulder field above the lake and started moving. Great hike! As we gained elevation, the Animas River became more and more impressive. The only way to combat them is it cover up your skin with long sleeves, jacket hood, etc. Wouldnt you know it, as soon as we got all the wood together, it started raining. Without going closer, theres no way of knowing what the rest of it looked like. The final approach of Columbine Pass was pretty steep, but manageable. Wilderness access gives riders an opportunity to book with the intention of getting off the train and getting outdoors. Did this in and back turning around a waterfall. Eolus. Early morning often leaves thick fog in valleys, only to be burnt away later by the sun. Ran I to some bad weather that chased us out on the 2nd day but we saw a few moose on this trail. I proceeded downhill now alongside the edge of this. It was only 11:45, so we had 3:45 to wait. We brought along this Weminuche Wilderness National Geographic map. There was goat hair all around the campsite, but we had yet to see one. We got off the train at elk park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day. I purified some more water for todays hike and ate breakfast, a Metrx bar and some granola & almonds. They were just ahead of me on the trail, but again, I was able to scare them off by simply throwing my arms in the air. 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. Down from the pass, we still had a good 10 miles to cover today. Id say we averaged 5 people seen per day on days 1-4. There were also a lot of flowers alongside the trail, and there were tons of butterflies on them. However, Im sure you could find a clearing to put a tent somewhere. Weminuche Loop - The JimmyJam Hiking Club There were cairns here and there marking the way as well, which could be seen since the Twin Lakes. You'll need to reserve this option in advance, but it makes for a great opportunity to explore the San Juan National Forest. I felt a few drops of rain just as the trail leaves the Twin Lakes area and dips back into Chicago Basin. Things open up a bit after this pond and there are some meadows to camp in if you were so inclined. For some reason, the mileage the GPS reports to me in the field is always more than the mileage it gives me at home when I am reviewing the final data. Dark skies now approached from all sides, and there was even some lightning in the distance. It was pretty hot when the sun was shining, but it didnt shine too long. We were able to cross the creek by hopping rocks and logs, just as we were able to with every other stream crossing on this trip. A group of seven hikers (2 men, 5 women) also loaded their packs, giving a total of 12 of us to be dropped at Elk Park. Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. Call the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at 1-888-872-4607 to book and make your reservation. We were on the trail at 7:30, and saw a few more goats as we made our way out of Chicago Basin. And what a campsite that would be, killer views! I used a Deuter Kids 40 pack (it has an adjustable torso section for short people!) Hiking through Vallecito Basin on our way up Columbine Pass. When youre leaving from Durango, youll need to have your gear in the boxcar at least 45 minutes before departure. Thank you so much for your detailed description! It ended up raining everyday, several times a day while we were here. It filtered a little more slowly than usual because we were at high elevation, but still worked well. Farther downstream revealed a tall but tiny waterfall before the land leveled out near the lake. We ended up eating at Diorios Pizza which was pretty good. Still, I was glad to have spent the night at Eldorado Lake. I saw maybe 10 people on day 5, and probably about 60 on day 6. Coming down from hunchback pass we had to climb over or around several (and I mean several) trees that were across the path. Complete Weminuche Wilderness Photo Gallery | Weminuche HD Video. I didnt want to go crazy on day 1 anyways, so it worked out that it was a shorter day. Nice! Apparently, they felt more threatened by that than the rocks whizzing by their heads. Once I got a little closer to the drainage, I could see the water flowing through a narrow gorge carved into the rock. Im taking a group on essentially this same trip in a couple weeks, and your pictures and story are very inspiring. After staring me down for a minute, they decided to move in my direction. Literally just yards below the top of the pass, on the Chicago Basin side, the trail gets extremely steep and pretty sketchy. Since youll be hiking in the Rocky Mountains, you should be Bear Aware. Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. Maybe, MAYBE in a low snow year but from what I can tell the west is getting quite a bit of powder this year so my guess would be July before the route is fully snow free. To reach this trail on foot, some hikers make a longer loop from the Molas Trail (about four miles). Check out my AWESOME DIY stealth camper van build project! It didnt rain extremely heavily at any time, but it was just so damn frequent. It is a fairly difficult hike, but not one that isn't doable. 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. Elk Park flag stop to Needleton flag stop between Durango and Silverton Elk Park flag stop to Needleton flag stop between Durango and Silverton. My two 15 year olds and I just completed it mid July 2021 and it took us five days. Our backpack would take us on a horseshoe loop from Elk. Some pretty sections, but a bit disappointed overall. Subscribe to receive an emial notification when new content is added, Sawtooth Mountains Idaho Landscape Photography Canvas Prints, Seeking Lost Logo Shirt - Unisex Softstyle T-Shirt, Basin and Range Trail Planning Kit: Guidebook, GPX, Maps, Waypoints, Water Chart, Vanadinite Mineral Specimen (North Geronimo Mine, AZ), Wulfenite on Fluorite Mineral Specimen (Red Cloud Mine, AZ). West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. I didnt want to push Lisa too much in the first few days so I think the plan for days 1 and 2 were pretty good. I recommend bringing a trekking pole to help support and steady yourself on the trail. We had a lot of rain, starting everyday around 1 pm and lasting for a couple of hours. I am going in Aug 2017 and want to make sure to get a good map. There are national and state parks nearby where you can push your limits on some shorter trails first. Never miss a new post! 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.
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