Also, bring a way to filter water. I couldnt really see Kite Lake well from the the CDT, but as I said earlier, my mind was pretty much set. Farther downstream revealed a tall but tiny waterfall before the land leveled out near the lake. Parking for the train is available in Durango and Silverton. Also, if youre looking for a GPX file, you can download that here http://metalbackpacker.com/gpx-files/. Pack your food in a bear sling or bear canister. Im interesting in making this same trip this year, and was wondering if you knew when the optimal season is? The amazing view from Hunchback Pass clouds. The skies were grey to start the day, but gave way to some blue patches by mid morning. One mine was fairly close to the trail, so we took a quick detour and had a look inside. The views were awe inspiring, but of course, it began to rain. Hail/freezing rain/snow was falling, and it was Hunchback Pass all over again, with a little better visibility. Oh well. Reddit - Dive into anything Apparently, they felt more threatened by that than the rocks whizzing by their heads. 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. Some streams had a lot of flash flood debris jammed up in certain points, more so than wed seen in other areas. Our dehydrated meals said they were tested at 5,000-foot elevation, and to double the cook time for every additional 5,000 feet. Still a good ways from the pass, we pushed on as the rains started in their usual off and on fashion. When taking a train leaving from Durango, you need to be in your seat 30 minutes before departure. 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. We settled for this spot and set up camp by 4pm or so. Heres an overview map of the Weminuche Wilderness, which includes trailhead locations. It resides at 8,277 feet of elevation in San Juan County. It ended up raining everyday, several times a day while we were here. Heres what we learned while preparing for the Elk Park to Needleton hike, plus a few things I wish Id known ahead of time! Clearly has not been maintained for a few seasons. The unincorporated community of Needleton is very secluded east from the Highway 550. 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 water was deep and fast flowing here. This was worth the trip alone and something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime! However, to hike this trail as I did, you will need to secure a train reservation through the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Hello, solitude. Basin and Range Trail (2020) Trains run daily, with wilderness access available during summer months. There was a very brief moment of sunlight right as we crossed Red Rock Creek, which was nice to have at this moment. We brought along this Weminuche Wilderness National Geographic map. There was even a distinct trail that led much of the way up, until it could no longer be seen amongst the boulders. Anyways, with breakfast in our stomachs and all our wet gear packed away, we hit the trail around 7:30. The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. Since we paid for parking at the railroad, we drove back there and parked while we set out on foot once gain. (We didnt see any, but we heard they were plentiful.). Have a good hike! Especially considering the status of cell phone service (which well discuss below). You can use this file with your GPS unit, or load it in caltopo.com (or your favorite mapping website or application). We did not have gloves (other than one pair of fingerless gloves I use when gathering/breaking firewood and climbing), so our hands were getting a little numb. We were exhausted by the time we reached the shack and decided to camp there for the night. I just forwarded the link so he get get psyched up! 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 . It was one of our Black Diamond Alpine carbon trekking poles, which was extra sad. We passed many more campsites along the trail shortly after leaving our camp this morning. I was very surprised that there were no seats available, the train was pretty packed. Lisa and I ended up taking a nap for about an hour and a half until the weather improved. Avalanche debris was cleared. There were a few pockets of snow tucked away here and there, but nothing too large. It was well worn and looked much less difficult than I had imagined. 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. Thanks for sharing. 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. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). Did this in and back turning around a waterfall. Learn more about the wildlife in the area. The trail flattens out at the basin below Columbine Lake and once you arrive you're in for a real treat. This snowshoe hare looks as if it could shoot lasers from its eyes, Campsite along the Elk Park trail, around 10,300ft. Parking is available at the Silverton Depot at no charge. Comments are not currently showing up on my site right now, need to troubleshoot that. Sometimes 2 to a flower. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. It was eerie and mesmerizing at the same time. Completed this loop early July 2021. This was comical, yet useful information at the same time. Then on the way back, youll catch the southbound train at Needleton and ride back to Durango. I reached the summit of Windom Peak (14,087ft) by around 8:30. The only way to combat them is it cover up your skin with long sleeves, jacket hood, etc. The Twin Lakes were still in the shadows, as the sun had not yet risen high enough to illuminate it. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 19 h 35 min to complete. I followed the lake to its drainage, which for reference was directly south of the Miners Cabin. I couldnt see the mountains behind me at all now, they were lost in the clouds. If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. A full train schedule is available on the Durango Train website. My breakfast today was a very hearty helping of granola and almonds (about 800 calories worth), and some dried strawberries. Elk Park flag stop to Needleton flag stop between Durango and Silverton Black flies were a pain the whole week. Needless to say, our rain gear would be used heavily on this trip. One option for a multi-day trip is from the Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 9 min to complete. You would think that they would just find another place to hang out with no people nearby, but they kept trying to make their way down to our area. This was true for much of the trip. It has been our group's favorite for several years. The oldest cart on the train was built in 1879, and the oldest engine was from 1925 I believe. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. There were many campsites to choose from in the area near the Vallecito Creek Bridge. There were no beavers. 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 . Cant wait to try this trip myself! Wouldnt you know it, as soon as we got all the wood together, it started raining. Your email address will not be published. Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton - Colorado | AllTrails Elk Park is a wide spot in the Animas River canyon located at milepost 490.5 on the Silverton Branch of the San Juan Extension. After 3 hours, we were finally back in Durango. I watched the bolts of lightning in the distance for a while before going to bed. They were finally able to scare the goats away for good by barking at them like a dog. Very well done! As with the other days, we passed many streams and waterfalls on the way up. We just finished this trail. There were more mountain goats in the evening as well. Had to climb over a hundred trees, no joke. Down to Eldorado. Would you advise camping at Twin Lakes? 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. John Werner: Backpacking Weminuche Wilderness not easy, but worth the Start your next Durango outdoor adventure from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Columbine Pass and Chicago Basin probably were the highlights of the trip -- incredibly high and scenic alpine country. Thanks for the trip report, I had originally planned just on Chicago Basin but will now do the whole loop after seeing your report and talking to the forest service rangers. Success! 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. Going down always looks much harder! I love being above the treeline, and I was excited to hike today. It was cloudy and grey though, so pictures werent coming out good. We heard later that there was a porcupine in the area chewing on things, so it couldve been the culprit. 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). The Elk Park to Needleton backpacking loop near Silverton, Colorado, covers over 40 miles and features stunning mountain vistas. I still panned on climbing Windom and maybe Sunlight. The Elk Park stop gives you access to the Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Vallecito Creek Trail. I purified some more water for todays hike and ate breakfast, a Metrx bar and some granola & almonds. The sun was shining on the Twin Lakes now, and it was beautiful. Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). Elk Park Stop Elk Creek Trail This trail travels east from the railroad, climbing into the upper reaches of the Needle Mountains. Early morning at the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad station. When we stopped for lunch, two deer wandered into our resting area. I'm hoping that we weren't unncessarilly cautious and missed out. Bob Marshall. Very good tip report. Your email address will not be published. For suggestions, see my guides to the best womens hiking boots and hiking gear for men. 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. The top of Hunchback Pass offered no views, as the visibility was around 200 feet. Sad to see all the beetle damage. Miles Hiked 5.4 It might be tough to find a good alpine hike that early in the season. I had no way of keeping my gear out of the reach of the rodents. To my amazement, the sky was 100% clear when I woke up at 5:30 this morning. Elk Park to Needleton Backpack Loop - YouTube We got to the train station around 7:15am, as we were told to be there 45 minutes early. 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. Weminuche Loop - The JimmyJam Hiking Club Once we reached a flat area around 11,650, there were a good amount of campsites scattered about. On the Elk Park to Needleton loop, the emergency outs are limited. Go figure, good weather on the last day. Thats why, if you come from a lower elevation like us, I recommend easing yourself into it while youre preparing for the Elk Park to Needleton hike! To reach this trail on foot, some hikers make a longer loop from the Molas Trail (about four miles). Any way to access this trail without riding the train? I felt a few drops of rain just as the trail leaves the Twin Lakes area and dips back into Chicago Basin. You take a train from Durango that. The only stop on the southbound trail in the afternoon is Elk Park. Would you advise camping at Columbine Lake? Id say we averaged about 4-5 bouts of rain per day. Lots of people in the Chicago Basin, no one in the Johnson creek or Vallecito creek area. 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 definitely underestimated the length and altitude. 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. Carry a comfortable pack with a water reservoir. Youll be hiking in a wilderness area. The Durango-Silverton railroad heading north to Elk Park. I am curious - does anyone have first hand knowledge of current conditions in Chicago Basin, Columbine Pass, Johnson Creek and Vallecito Trail. Yes, either hiking boots or hiking shoes are a very good idea on these trails. The altitude will affect water filters and food cook time, which is usually explained on the packaging. Not long after, we watched the same goats cross the creek and head towards our general area. What a morale booster it was. Another option (which you should probably do anyway!) This route climbs 8,523 ft with a max elevation of 12,843 ft then descends -9,174 ft. Local Trail Association We loaded our backpacks in the baggage car. See the beauty of the San Juans on a guided tour. The rain subsided and we dipped below the clouds into a new valley. This entry was posted on August 29, 2013. Oregon Desert Trail (2022) *Coming Soon The rocks were still icy and required some careful footwork in some spots to negotiate. Expect to pay for the train tickets, a baggage fee (for your backpack, which goes in the boxcar train), and an overnight parking fee. These odor proof bags have never let me down, and with all the rodents around, it was going to be a real test tonight. Some of the rocks were covered in ice making them extremely slippery too, so I had to be very careful once I neared the top. Finally below the clouds after descending Hunchback Pass, These deer practically walked right up to us while we ate lunch. I ended up spending an hour and a half up here just hanging out. Awesome, thanks! There was a snowshoe hare, or multiple hares, that I kept seeing as I gathered wood. It was only 11:45, so we had 3:45 to wait. Train ride through the beautiful San Juan mountains on the way to our drop off point at Elk Park. You could see burnt trees the entire train ride, so I guess its a pretty real threat. I do regret getting the open-cart seats though, because it was raining and it was not dry inside. The train kept on going though, as this one wasnt scheduled to stop here. The trail is always very clear and easy to follow. Thanks for the great report! At least we had somewhere to sit now, that was nice. I made it to the top before Lisa and snapped a few pictures before the rain returned moments later. A Garmin InReach is one of the pricier emergency options, but there are also less expensive satellite emergency locator beacons (with less functionality). Today was going to be almost all uphill, heading over Columbine Pass and down into Chicago Basin. San Juan National Forest - Elk Creek Trail/ Colorado Trail (503) First, dont forget your sunglasses! So much for being packed. The water is gorgeous. My boots were the driest theyd been since day 1, and I really didnt want to get stuck in rain today. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. Or are there other routes you could r commend for some stream and lake fishing? If you found my trip report useful, please dont hesitate to leave a comment! You have to make the backpacker train reservations by phone, not online. Ive started research for a September 2017 trip and came across your report. Lisa just made it up over the last rocky ridge on the CDT, giving way to views of Eldorado Lake. 5h 16m. 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. Physically, I did pretty well on this hike. From a distance, I could see faint lines on the hillside that were definitely the switchbacks. After setting up the tent in light rain, I decided to take shelter in the tent as the rain continued. Not too bad, but this was definitely not a class 2+ as described on 14ers.com. Miles Hiked 14.5 A really incredible trip with unbeatable views! Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. We had a lot of rain, starting everyday around 1 pm and lasting for a couple of hours. A very convenient spot for an abandoned shack to be located. All we could do is move downhill as quickly as possible, and after descending another 1500 feet or so, all was well again. When youre in the Chicago Basin, watch for mountain goats! Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton | Map, Guide - Colorado | AllTrails The skies were pretty blue now and there was abundant sunshine. I used a Garmin InReach Mini 2 to track our location, and any time we came to an unmarked trail junction, we knew which way to go.
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