Done over 5 nights and 6 days. However, after she mentioned it a few times I could tell she really wanted one, so we gathered the driest firewood we could find and used our garbage to start the fire. This was $90 each person for a round trip ticket, plus $10 to each to haul your backpack. The water is gorgeous. 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). 18-21 September 2017. Elk Park to Needleton Loop, plus side trips including:-Vestal Basin . I learned this the hard way when hiking around Snowmass Lake last year. A hiking boot is preferable. Dark skies now approached from all sides, and there was even some lightning in the distance. Your monthly pledge helps me bring you more quality hiking and outdoor adventure videos, trail guides and content. Check out my AWESOME DIY stealth camper van build project! Save on outdoor activities, tours & rentals. As the evening progressed, we saw several deer both near our camp and off in the distance. Before we knew it, we saw the Weminuche Wilderness boundary sign. Whitewater rafting with professional guides. There were cairns here and there marking the way as well, which could be seen since the Twin Lakes. is to leave an itinerary with a responsible person back home, as well as a time and date when they should call for help if they dont hear from you. Check out this 17.3-mile out-and-back trail near Durango, Colorado. There was a snowshoe hare, or multiple hares, that I kept seeing as I gathered wood. The altitude on this backpacking loop varies from around 8,000 to nearly 13,000 feet above sea level. 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. Once on the other side, the path down to Eldorado lake was pretty clear. Would you advise camping at Columbine Lake? I took the driest looking campsite I could find, which wasnt saying much. The fire burned quite well once established, despite the soggy wood. Or the Osprey Eja 58 pack I preferred the Airspeed suspension system on it. There was another meadow a mile or so past our camp that would have been a nice place to spend the night. 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. Please be aware that reservations can only be made from Durango and Silverton originations. Everything was still pretty wet from the rains overnight, and it was cold. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. In the morning, I headed down to the railroad, and caught the train to Silverton, then rode back to Durango. It moved away pretty quickly, but I could tell it was not a rattlesnake. - John Glionna, Las Vegas Review-Journal article on the Basin and Range Trail, Watch Pioneering Nevada's Basin and Range Trail on other Streaming Services: Tubi, Xumo, Telus and Filmocracy, Like what you see? There are a lot of down trees and we had rain and some route finding to cross streams. Some streams had a lot of flash flood debris jammed up in certain points, more so than wed seen in other areas. I used a Deuter Kids 40 pack (it has an adjustable torso section for short people!) The only way to combat them is it cover up your skin with long sleeves, jacket hood, etc. The hiker who told me about the mice up here had camped here last night. So, they suggested to take train from Needleton to Silverton, wait for 1.5h and then return back to Elk Park for the price of full ticket Durango-Silverton . Go figure, good weather on the last day. The cinders get in your eyes too, and they recommend that you wear sunglasses as a form of protection. Lisa really wanted a fire, and although I knew we could get one going, but I didnt want to go through the effort of gathering wood only to have it rain again . Recent avalanche activity over the winter/spring created several debris fields that required us to do some significant trailblazing. The rain subsided and we dipped below the clouds into a new valley. Black flies were a pain the whole week. Weminuche Wilderness National Geographic map, Black Diamond Alpine carbon trekking poles, MSR PocketRocket Deluxe backpacking stove, Sea to Summit Thermolite sleeping bag liners, Elk Park to Needleton Backpacking Loop (Silverton, CO), Supplemental Privacy Notice For California Residents, Supplemental Privacy Notice For Nevada Residents. My husband had an offline map downloaded in his Google Maps app, although we found it to be unreliable in the Vallecito Creek area. Trail Name - Elk Park/Needleton Loop Location - Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan National Forest, CO Park Type - National Forest, Wilderness Area Fees & Permits - None Length Of Time Hiked - 6 days, 5 nights Trail Type - Semi loop - Train drops you off and picks you up Miles Hiked - 48 Trail Difficulty - 8 Before you head out into the wilderness, make sure you know where youre going! A very convenient spot for an abandoned shack to be located. As crappy as the weather has been all day, I havent seen any lightning yet. This is when the fog really started growing. Thats how I do it these days. Our most reliable digital map was from Garmin, within the Garmin Explore app on my phone. Finally, with any backpacking trip, you should look for an emergency out. It ended up raining everyday, several times a day while we were here. The first morning of a hike always takes the longest to get going. By tnmule20, February 10, 2022 in Camping & High Adventure. As we gained elevation, the Animas River became more and more impressive. Here's an overview! See the beauty of the San Juans on a guided tour. Basin and Range Trail (2020) My wife and I completed this hike in September of 2016 and loved it. After a nice relaxing break, we hit the trail again. Purgetory was the popular trailhead of choice for non-train riders. I knew the vegetation was still wet from last evenings rain, and didnt feel like being soaked to the bone if the trail happens to go through dense foliage. 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This was my first hike of more than five miles. It was eerie and mesmerizing at the same time. The fourth day we hiked from Chicago basin to the needleton train stop, which was an easy ~7 miles downhill. The plan was to camp at either Kite Lake or Eldorado Lake, whichever looked more appealing. Did the 38.6 mile loop from Elk. From there, youll have a choice of where youd like to go. Of course, this is contingent on cooperating weather. The rain sucked, but it sure did make you appreciate what little sunshine we did get. 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 quite scared here, and it took a lot of coaxing to get her to move. Its relatively easy to walk over/around them, but be patient and expect a slight delay. We heard later that there was a porcupine in the area chewing on things, so it couldve been the culprit. It was extra sunny during the day, and there were thunderstorms most evenings. We met others that were completing this 36-40 mile trip as we were walking into the wilderness from Needleton. This was worth the trip alone and something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime! For comparison, where we live is around 800 feet above sea level. Completed this loop early July 2021. Twin Lakes, still waiting for early morning light to hit tis waters. If youre doing the whole Elk Park to Needleton loop, take the Durango-Silverton diesel train north from Durango to Elk Park. On day two, we encountered an even larger debris field between Beaver Pond and the ascent to the miner's shack. Our stop is Elk Park, a 3 hour ride from Durango. I was awestruck with the beauty of those mountains. I figured more people would be out here doing the full loop like we were doing, but that clearly wasnt the case. Whitewater trips for more experienced adventurers. Clothes and gear is now dry (mostly), and we wreaked of smoke. The Elk Park stop gives you access to the Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Vallecito Creek Trail. We knew that the odds were pretty good that goats would wander near us too, eventually. I saw maybe 10 people on day 5, and probably about 60 on day 6. There havent been any bugs out the last 2 nights though, and I was really wishing we had a fire like this on night one. We got off the train at elk park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day. Coming down from hunchback pass we had to climb over or around several (and I mean several) trees that were across the path. Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. This is a popular trail for birding and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. When taking a train leaving from Durango, you need to be in your seat 30 minutes before departure. Elk Park/Needleton Loop, Colorado. Columbine Pass and Chicago Basin probably were the highlights of the trip -- incredibly high and scenic alpine country. Excellent trip report, thanks for doing this. We were exhausted by the time we reached the shack and decided to camp there for the night. Very useful. They ran downhill and out of sight, and I kept moving. We saw several deer and prairie dogs before getting into the mountains. We just finished this trail. Im assuming forest service will clear this soon. As we waited by the tracks, one of the hikers we were talking to in the shack was showing another guy his sleeping pad. Physically, I did pretty well on this hike. Columbine Lake Trail #509 in San Juan National Forest is a difficult and steep trail with 16 discernible switchbacks but it's worth the effort. The free version of caltopo only allows 5 pages max in your pdf, so just break it up into blocks of 5 pages or less and print out the entire map that way. The second day we did ~13 miles which included two peaks with kite lake in between. You can purchase a ticket to or from Elk Park onboard as long as space is availableno reservations are taken for this flag stop. There was even a distinct trail that led much of the way up, until it could no longer be seen amongst the boulders. If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. Recommended Posts. Lisa just made it up over the last rocky ridge on the CDT, giving way to views of Eldorado Lake. It was only 11:45, so we had 3:45 to wait. Our morning routine is a little more polished now, and we were on the trail by 7am. 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. Either way, it was going to be another short day with only about 6 miles to cover. Enjoy the hike, its a good one! Miles Hiked 5.7 (summit Windom Peak starting from camp in Chicago Basin) Hiking through Vallecito Basin on our way up Columbine Pass. My knees were holding up very well so far this trip and I figured, why not? So far my knees have been doing great this hike, but an entire day going downhill worried me. Weminuche Wilderness, CO Elk Park/Needleton Loop Hike. You'll need to reserve this option in advance, but it makes for a great opportunity to explore the San Juan National Forest. When youre leaving from Durango, youll need to have your gear in the boxcar at least 45 minutes before departure. Two other climbers reached the top during my stay up here. This snowshoe hare looks as if it could shoot lasers from its eyes, Campsite along the Elk Park trail, around 10,300ft. Next I found myself on the saddle below the approach to Windom Peak. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 19 h 35 min to complete. Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). Food takes longer to cook at high altitudes. . A friend and I attempted this horseshoe hike in reverse last weekend (Aug 14). Not today, it gre more and more intense as time went on. Arriving via a coal-powered train on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, this excursion into the dramatic Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado gets off to a unique start. I couldnt see the mountains behind me at all now, they were lost in the clouds. Soon enough it was back to the rain. Would that be too early in the season? I did this loop in Late August in the mid 90s and must have gotten a lucky dry weather window. We used a Sawyer Squeeze water filter. Passing through a colorful meadow on the morning of day 2, Nearing the treeline, the views start improving. 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. We set our packs up on a rock ledge with rain covers on, hoping thats be enough to keep them dry. The oldest cart on the train was built in 1879, and the oldest engine was from 1925 I believe. This was our third trek on this trail. We did the Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton Loop which was 36 miles. I just forwarded the link so he get get psyched up! The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. Any and all kinds of weather! Would you advise camping at Twin Lakes? We passed many more campsites along the trail shortly after leaving our camp this morning. Elk Park flag stop to Needleton flag stop between Durango and Silverton Elk Park flag stop to Needleton flag stop between Durango and Silverton. We had to stand guard for a while to make sure they didnt walk right into our camp. Ran I to some bad weather that chased us out on the 2nd day but we saw a few moose on this trail. It was a little windy last night, which can make it hard to sleep. I guess thats good, because that was less people we saw on the other days. We had been told by the forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields in the basin. Many jokes were cracked regarding the stench of ones self or others in their group. I had also been considering a climb up Sunlight Peak as well, but it was so nice up here on Windom Peak that I decided to relax, and just enjoy the beautiful view. Again, a lot of trees were down that we had to circumnavigate. First week of June, the only people out there will probably be CDT thru hikers, and theyll be up against a lot of snow still. Looking back, I wish I had checked it out. Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). We hardly saw any other hikers until Chicago Basin. At that point, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury. We had a couple of long days and some short days with lots of time to relax. We walked 44 miles vs the 36 listed in the app. There were a few more mines along the trail here, and one appeared to be deeper than the others we had explored. Needless to say, our rain gear would be used heavily on this trip. The Durango-Silverton train offers a backpacker service from May to October, where they drop you off and pick you up at train stops which more or less correspond to the trailheads. We departed about 15 minutes late, and slowly made our way out of Durango. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. What a morale booster it was. The trail is always very clear and easy to follow. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The Elk Park stop gives you access to the Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Vallecito Creek Trail. Elk Park-Needleton Loop. I only followed the drainage a short ways, but another 100ft away it appeared to drop off. We played leap frog with the other groups of hikers most of the day as we passed them on their breaks and vice versa. The Weminuche Loop is a classic 40-50 mile horseshoe hike that starts at Elk Park and ends at Needleton. It has a mesh frame that holds the weight of the pack slightly off your back. Route Elk Park train stop to camp along Elk Creek at ~10,300ft. Patreon is a service that allows you to provide monthly financial support to your favorite content creators. I felt a few drops of rain just as the trail leaves the Twin Lakes area and dips back into Chicago Basin. The clouds seemed to be chasing us up Hunchback Pass.