So much for being packed. Train ride through the beautiful San Juan mountains on the way to our drop off point at Elk Park. However, Im sure you could find a clearing to put a tent somewhere. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. We didnt take the train so we started at Molas Lake and walked to Needlestop. On the trail by 7am today, we headed up to the CDT once again. Next I found myself on the saddle below the approach to Windom Peak. 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. It was extra sunny during the day, and there were thunderstorms most evenings. Youll be hiking in a wilderness area. Length: 7.9 mi Est. The water tasted great and was very cold. On day four, we hiked along the 4wd road to Pole Creek and picked up our ride there. 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. You then pass over the continental divide twice and the train picks you back up. Swampy, muddy areas where your foot sinks ankle deep in mud are also likely, as well as multiple creek crossings. We may earn a commission when you use one of our links to make a purchase. The ones that did look edible werent ripe yet. As another hiker had told me earlier today, there were a lot of rodent holes in this area, and I could see mice running around everywhere. We spend a good while collecting firewood, but as wet as it was, it was a bit of a challenge. After 3 hours, we were finally back in Durango. Very well done! Mojave-Sonoran Trail (2021) If youre doing the whole Elk Park to Needleton loop, take the Durango-Silverton diesel train north from Durango to Elk Park. Avalanche debris was cleared. Not once did we get wet crossing a stream. Here comes my ride! More jokes were cracked to the effect of mines smaller than yours and isnt it usually the other way around?. However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! 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. The nature back there is unbelievable. We woke up today at 5:30 and began to slowly pack up camp. Really helpful report! Back up on the CDT, it was evident that the weather was not going to cooperate today. Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. After leaving Chicago Basin, the trail was actually kind of boring compared to the rest of our hike. Comments are not currently showing up on my site right now, need to troubleshoot that. Would you advise camping at Columbine Lake? There is no road access to either the Elk Park or Needleton trail access points. It even had some rails leading in and out of it. This was my first hike of more than five miles. Farther downstream revealed a tall but tiny waterfall before the land leveled out near the lake. The stars were barely visible now that the morning light was fast approaching, but this was the most Id seen of stars the entire trip. One mine was fairly close to the trail, so we took a quick detour and had a look inside. It was a little windy last night, which can make it hard to sleep. drops you off in the middle of the wilderness (no car access) and do a loop that is absolutely beautiful. Although it was monsoon season during our trip, we were told that the coal cinders often start forest fires. Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. Recommended Posts. 2/21/22 12:49pm. The Elk Park to Needleton backpacking loop near Silverton, Colorado, covers over 40 miles and features stunning mountain vistas. It was great to get some hot food in our stomachs before heading to our hotel in Pagosa Springs. To close the loop I have to get from Needleton fo Elk Park (6.5mi). I was rewarded with an amazing view of the Weminuche Wilderness, unobstructed by clouds for the first time all week. It was about 1/3 the size of his sleeping pad, and as far as I know, is the lightest one on the market at 9.1 ounces. It was incredible to see the clouds taking over the area! Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). The Durango-Silverton railroad heading north to Elk Park. After setting up camp, I decided to go down to the creek to purify some water. This was our third trek on this trail. Lisa just made it up over the last rocky ridge on the CDT, giving way to views of Eldorado Lake. I recommend bringing a trekking pole to help support and steady yourself on the trail. Purgetory was the popular trailhead of choice for non-train riders. Here are our top tips on preparing for a successful and safe loop from Elk Park to Needleton in the mountains of Colorado! Hiked from elk park to needleton 7/1/2022-7/4/2022. All in all, quite a bit of wildlife. But if you need an even warmer quilt, weve heard very good things about the quilts from Enlightened Equipment. The fourth day we hiked from Chicago basin to the needleton train stop, which was an easy ~7 miles downhill. Note that these satellite device options typically require that you have an active subscription to use the features. Miles Hiked 7.4 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. The only stop on the southbound trail in the afternoon is Elk Park. This route climbs 8,523 ft with a max elevation of 12,843 ft then descends -9,174 ft. Local Trail Association It is a fairly difficult hike, but not one that isn't doable. There are national and state parks nearby where you can push your limits on some shorter trails first. If you found my trip report useful, please dont hesitate to leave a comment! She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker. But we opted to take the train! However, if you can afford it, the train ride is fun, and it sure is nice once you reach Elk Park and realize you don't have to make that 1,700' climb back up to Molas Pass. Any feedback appreciated. Many jokes were cracked regarding the stench of ones self or others in their group. Going down always looks much harder! The altitude on this backpacking loop varies from around 8,000 to nearly 13,000 feet above sea level. Past that meadow, the trail begins to climb past the treeline. Our brakeman Sam was a wealth of knowledge about any kind of train-related questions we had. They didnt seem afraid of humans at all. Parking is available at the Silverton Depot at no charge. It was well worn and looked much less difficult than I had imagined. The train ride out of Durango and through the Rockwood Cut was quite enjoyable. What a morale booster it was. Did this route from July 28 to August 3. We made the decision to cut our trek short. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 19 h 35 min to complete. There was a very brief moment of sunlight right as we crossed Red Rock Creek, which was nice to have at this moment. Morning of day 2, climbing up the Colorado Trail, Going up a funky section of the Colorado Trail, below the Miners Cabin. There were cairns here and there marking the way as well, which could be seen since the Twin Lakes. I forced myself to get out of the tent and go explore the area. Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton is a 36 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Silverton, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton Moderate 4.6 (42) Weminuche Wilderness Photos (363) Directions Print/PDF map Length 37.5 miElevation gain 8,579 ftRoute type Point to point Head out on this 37.5-mile point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. The fire burned quite well once established, despite the soggy wood. The other guy was impressed with its small size. Its an extra 9 miles I believe from Purgatory to Needleton. There were only one or two campsites occupied here, and it would have been a nice place to stay the night if we didnt already have our trip planned out. See the beauty of the San Juans on a guided tour. We didn't want to risk going up and over Hunchback, down Vallecito, up Johnson Creek, over Columbine Pass and into Chicago Basin. Narrow Gauge Railroad preservation & legacy. Apparently, they felt more threatened by that than the rocks whizzing by their heads. 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. Nine miles long, the route climbs 3,760 feet to the Continental Divide. 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. If needed, when you reach the Vallecito and Johnson Creek trail junction, you could hike about 10 miles to the Vallecito Reservoir, a popular lake area. I am going in Aug 2017 and want to make sure to get a good map. Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). Lisa and I ended up taking a nap for about an hour and a half until the weather improved. A very convenient spot for an abandoned shack to be located. We are early 50s, fairly fit experienced hikers from Durango, and we gave ourselves 5 nights/6 days. When we visited in September, the days were hot and the nights were cold. The ride is slow and sooty and other than the crying kids that overpopulated our car, the ride really was wonderful. We departed about 15 minutes late, and slowly made our way out of Durango. Was the extra research and time spent preparing for the Elk Park to Needleton trip worth it? After working so hard to get to the top, I couldnt justify turning around immediately. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. Whitewater trips for more experienced adventurers. The Animas River. I learned this the hard way when hiking around Snowmass Lake last year. We saw very little traffic through our area where we camped, despite being right next to the trail. In fact, there wasnt a single cloud in sight now, just a beautiful deep blue sky in all directions. I chucked some rocks and shouted at them, but theyd just walk 5 feet away and stare back at us. More mountain goats as I leave the Twins Lake area. Eventually, it became steeper, to the point where there were some moments of exposure. Shortly after Elk Park along the Colorado Trail, also called the Elk Park trail for this section. 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. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! No hot dogs tonight, maybe night 3. Learn more about the wildlife in the area. We made it to Chicago Basin and I made it to the "saddle" of Sunlight peak before talking myself out of going up the rest of the way (regretting it to this day). Copyright 2015-2023 Champagne TastesAll Rights Reserved. The on and off rain was definitely a bummer though. The Elk Park stop gives you access to the Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Vallecito Creek Trail. Eventually, I was able to scare them off pretty good by simply throwing my arms up in the air. It was filed under Backpacking Trip Reports and was tagged with backpacking trip report, cdt, chicago basin, colorado backpacking, colorado hikes, colorado photography, colorado summer hikes, colorado trail, continental divide, durango train, eldorado lake, elk park needleton, hiking 2013, loop hike, mountain photography, multi day hikes, san juan, san juan mountains, san juan national forest, weeklong loop hike, weminuche wilderness, windom peak. A friend and I attempted this horseshoe hike in reverse last weekend (Aug 14). My group is collectively only able to go last week of May/first week of June. NOTE: As of 2021, we have been informed that you cannot board the train in Silverton and get dropped off at Needleton. As with the other days, we passed many streams and waterfalls on the way up. The top of Hunchback Pass offered no views, as the visibility was around 200 feet. Route Eldorado Lake to Vallecito Creek Bridge. Leave from Durango or Silverton and get off to explore at Elk Park, Needleton or one of the flagstops. Two other climbers reached the top during my stay up here. However, from the trailhead sign it was another 1/2 mile or so before we actually reached the train stop. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Awesome, thanks! I figured more people would be out here doing the full loop like we were doing, but that clearly wasnt the case. If you are open to suggestions, maybe have a look at the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico. After the train dropped us off at Elk Park, it was pretty quiet. They didnt seem to concerned with our presence though. After 6 days of hiking, we couldnt wait to get to the hotel. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). As we gained elevation, the Animas River became more and more impressive. Just as I hit that switchback, a few hikers came into view on the way down from the CDT. The Needleton stop also gives you access to the Needle Creek Trail, Johnson Creek Trail and the Chicago Basin. Fortunately it was all downhill, so we could cover some serious ground, which I assumed would be at the expense of my knees. Yes, either hiking boots or hiking shoes are a very good idea on these trails. On day two, we encountered an even larger debris field between Beaver Pond and the ascent to the miner's shack. 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. Once we reached a flat area around 11,650, there were a good amount of campsites scattered about. El mejor momento para visitar esta . Its too bad that we had already eaten dinner before starting this fire, because we still had hot dogs that we could have cooked tonight. By the time we reached the lake, the peaks around us were completely engulfed by the clouds. The rain sucked, but it sure did make you appreciate what little sunshine we did get. 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. It's mainly visited for hikers departing on overnight backpacking trips into Chicago Basin. . Youre hiking at high elevation in a very sunny spot, so protecting your eyes is important. The correct way to flag the train and let the conductor know youd like to board is by waving your hands across your knees. It moved away pretty quickly, but I could tell it was not a rattlesnake. I couldnt see the mountains behind me at all now, they were lost in the clouds. It sounds funny, but for some reason hey turned and ran when I did that and never came back. It was nice to know that we had a day off of hiking coming up tomorrow, at least for Lisa anyways. 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. With about five minutes to go before arriving at Elk Park, one of conductors gather all of the backpackers and ask you to head to the front of the train. We knew that the odds were pretty good that goats would wander near us too, eventually. We passed many more campsites along the trail shortly after leaving our camp this morning. Physically, I did pretty well on this hike. It was only 11:45, so we had 3:45 to wait. Had never seen so many mountains (we're from OK). It took us 7 days to complete it. As of the 2013 season, a round-trip ticket is $90.10 + $10.00 for your pack. 2/21/22 12:55pm. The hiker who told me about the mice up here had camped here last night. Soul Rider. We passed several waterfalls and areas of whitewater. At least we had somewhere to sit now, that was nice. Almost immediately, it began to rain a little. 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. 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. I couldnt resist the chance to whip out my Klymit Inertia X-Frame sleeping pad that I bought a few months back. It filtered a little more slowly than usual because we were at high elevation, but still worked well. Here, theres a good view of Vestal Peak. On the Elk Park to Needleton loop, the emergency outs are limited. The skies were cloudy all around us though. Getting close to the top of Hunchback Pass. Ive started research for a September 2017 trip and came across your report. This was $90 each person for a round trip ticket, plus $10 to each to haul your backpack. I felt a few drops of rain just as the trail leaves the Twin Lakes area and dips back into Chicago Basin. We did the Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton Loop which was 36 miles. The views were awe inspiring, but of course, it began to rain. Thanks for the great report! There were at least 5 if not 6 avalanche debris fields on the Elk creek trail. Route Chicago Basin to Needleton train stop. Hikers exchanged stories about their experiences in the Weminuche Wilderness and beyond to kill the time. It was quite a sight to see, unlike anything Ive ever witnessed before. 2. Would that be too early in the season? After taking some great photos near the lake, I started heading down. Discover this 6.9-mile out-and-back trail near Silverton, Colorado. The rain subsided and we dipped below the clouds into a new valley. The weather started clearing up after about mile 4. Otherwise, you can order a big map from mytopo.com. I highly recommend it. 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. Columbine Pass The crowning jewel on our recent vacation to Colorado was an epic backpacking trip. Hi Ryan, Thats definitely too early in the season. Excellent views all around. Elk Park to Needleton Backpack Loop 5,560 views Aug 5, 2008 9 Dislike Share Save Elizabeth Black 394 subscribers From the steam engine train we backpack for 6 days on a 40 mile loop out in. Every campground, hotel, and intersection we passed, there were people waving at the train. Sad to see all the beetle damage. Great report, how can I get your waypoints? By tnmule20, February 10, 2022 in Camping & High Adventure. Looking for a slightly larger backpacking pack that will still fit a short torso? Other trip reports Ive read have indicated that its been this way for years. I only followed the drainage a short ways, but another 100ft away it appeared to drop off. Our most reliable digital map was from Garmin, within the Garmin Explore app on my phone. There were tons of waterfalls everywhere, many more than our hike in the Maroon Bells last year. Bugs were pretty bad this year. Go figure, good weather on the last day. Everything was still pretty wet from the rains overnight, and it was cold. We snacked on sour patch kids by the fire for a while before letting it burn out. You'll need to reserve this option in advance, but it makes for a great opportunity to explore the San Juan National Forest. Todays hike will take us down by Kite Lake, over Hunchback Pass, and all the way down to the Vallecito Creek bridge, near Johnson Creek. Most of the avalanche debris on Elk Creek/CT has now been cleared, and what is left is fairly easy to navigate. Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). We played leap frog with the other groups of hikers most of the day as we passed them on their breaks and vice versa. At what point along your route could you hike out and call it quits (or hike out for help)? Patreon is a service that allows you to provide monthly financial support to your favorite content creators. It was pretty hot when the sun was shining, but it didnt shine too long. - 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? Its most notable feature is a wye, built in 1884 to allow northbound trains to turn back when the canyons between Elk Park and Silverton, CO were blocked by winter avalanches. This was worth the trip alone and something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime! It was raining up here and quite cold. We stayed up a little later tonight due to the fire, and ended up going to bed around 11pm. When we stopped for lunch, two deer wandered into our resting area. The train kept on going though, as this one wasnt scheduled to stop here. However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. This route includes 3 trails. By the time Lisa made it to the top, we had to continue down the other side immediately. I saw maybe 10 people on day 5, and probably about 60 on day 6. Miles Hiked 5.4 At Twin Lakes, the terrain is a bit less hospitable, and fewer campsite options with all the rocks and stuff. I purified some more water for todays hike and ate breakfast, a Metrx bar and some granola & almonds. There was a snowshoe hare, or multiple hares, that I kept seeing as I gathered wood. The names of surrounding landmarks included Stormy Gulch and Storm King Peak, and now I understood why. They really wanted to be right there, and werent taking no for an answer. This was comical, yet useful information at the same time. Venchka. Lisa made it up 15 minutes later, but we didnt stick around too long. Tips for Camping With Your Kids in Durango, Colorado. 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. The trial follows the 44 road by Kite Lake. Between the trailhead marker and train stop was actually private property with a few shacks, cabins, and homes built. Elk Park to Needleton Loop, plus side trips including:-Vestal Basin . I watched the bolts of lightning in the distance for a while before going to bed. Done over 5 nights and 6 days. Will b taking my 19 yr old son in early August this year for his first extended back country pack trip. One option for a multi-day trip is from the Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton. The skies were grey to start the day, but gave way to some blue patches by mid morning. Very isolated in the middle of the trail, we only saw 1 other person each day. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. There is no road access to either the Elk Park or Needleton trail access points. One of the train employees told us a little about the history of the train and how things work. The pictures dont even come close to being there first hand. Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. 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. The low clouds were back, engulfing Mount Kennedy southwest of us. Chicago Basin area was very pretty, and not too crowded with tents. Route Vallecito Creek Bridge to Chicago Basin. Either way, it was going to be another short day with only about 6 miles to cover. I wonder how they get to their homes, since there are no roads anywhere near here. Given the popularity of Kite Lake, being right next to a 44 road just outside of the wilderness boundary, I pretty much had my mind set on Eldorado. Great hike! We had a lot of rain, starting everyday around 1 pm and lasting for a couple of hours. Vallecito Basin, which lies below Columbine pass, was pretty nice. 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. That's $100 bucks round-trip for a train ticket! Other hikers trickled in to the area as time went on. Everyone in the shack jumped up immediately, rushing to put on boots and grab their gear as we rushed towards the tracks. Looking up, it looked very easy and straight forward. San Juan National Forest. 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. There was a lot of toilet paper and poop laying around near some of the campsites though, evidence of heavy usage. I did see a lot of goat hair stuck in the trees and bushes now, which we had not seen anywhere else yet along our hike. Did the 38.6 mile loop from Elk. When youre in the Chicago Basin, watch for mountain goats! Weve also been testing this Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45 + 5 pack and love it. The mountain scenery is spectacular the whole way, and you cross over several high passes along the way. 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. They could not believe how small the pad was, but I got the impression it was too ultralight for them. Expect to pay for the train tickets, a baggage fee (for your backpack, which goes in the boxcar train), and an overnight parking fee. I do regret getting the open-cart seats though, because it was raining and it was not dry inside. 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. Are you planning a backpacking adventure in the Weminuche Wilderness of southern Colorado? One stream crossing after the Vallecito bridge about mid calf.