Dark skies now approached from all sides, and there was even some lightning in the distance. The trail flattens out at the basin below Columbine Lake and once you arrive you're in for a real treat. We saw 3 hikers coming down Hunchback Pass earlier as we were going up, and didnt see anyone else today until we got about a mile from the Vallecito Creek Bridge. 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 The final approach of Columbine Pass was pretty steep, but manageable. It was extra sunny during the day, and there were thunderstorms most evenings. First, dont forget your sunglasses! Trains run daily, with wilderness access available during summer months. If you are open to suggestions, maybe have a look at the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico. 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. This was $90 each person for a round trip ticket, plus $10 to each to haul your backpack. It's mainly visited for hikers departing on overnight backpacking trips into Chicago Basin. 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. I updated this post to include a map of the Weminuche Wilderness, with trailhead locations marked. I was . There was a lot of toilet paper and poop laying around near some of the campsites though, evidence of heavy usage. Route Eldorado Lake to Vallecito Creek Bridge. Did the 38.6 mile loop from Elk. Sometimes 2 to a flower. I decided to take pictures of the lake later and just head up Windom now. We had a lot of rain, starting everyday around 1 pm and lasting for a couple of hours. Elk Park/Needleton Loop, Colorado. He sure did look delicious, haha. Things open up a bit after this pond and there are some meadows to camp in if you were so inclined. I packed a peanut butter sandwich, some jerky, and a Metrx bar to eat later, as well as 2 liters of water. I feel like my extra efforts in training before this trip really made the difference in my knees. Down from the pass, we still had a good 10 miles to cover today. 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. The weather was cloudy and more scattered rain throughout the rest of the day. Once I gained a few hundred feet in elevation, I could see that there wasnt any threat of getting soaked and I took off the extra layers. At columbine Lake, I dont think youd have an issue finding a suitable site. We had about 7 miles of downhill hiking to the train, which arrives at 3:30, and thus were not in a hurry. 2/21/22 12:49pm. Recommended Posts. Tips for Camping With Your Kids in Durango, Colorado. By the time we were leaving the treeline behind, foul weather had returned. To close the loop I have to get from Needleton fo Elk Park (6.5mi). I'm a traveler who loves to eat. Anyways, with breakfast in our stomachs and all our wet gear packed away, we hit the trail around 7:30. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). The ones that did look edible werent ripe yet. Parking for the train is available in Durango and Silverton. Instead of heading over to Sunlight, I decided to follow the drainage leading to Twin Lakes and explore that area. We estimated ~100 trees that we had to go over, under, or around - felt like a tough mudder. 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. 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. The fourth day we hiked from Chicago basin to the needleton train stop, which was an easy ~7 miles downhill. Were planning to do this trip in September 2022 and Ive got a couple of questions for you. We saw deers, elk, mountain goat, beavers. I dont know why these animals are so persistent about going to a specific location when there are humans there. The rain subsided and we dipped below the clouds into a new valley. Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. I took advantage of the weather and took a ton of pictures up here. Will b taking my 19 yr old son in early August this year for his first extended back country pack trip. Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road. After setting up camp, I decided to go down to the creek to purify some water. I like having dry gear! We changed clothes in the car and tried to mask our stench with deodorant and cologne/perfume before setting off into the city in search of food. Weminuche Wilderness, CO Elk Park/Needleton Loop Hike. Great report, how can I get your waypoints? When youre in the Chicago Basin, watch for mountain goats! Sure enough, they appeared at the top of the trail heading down to our camp from the main trail. Past that meadow, the trail begins to climb past the treeline. I climbed up the highest hill along the edge which was roughly 12,700ft, which provided awesome views of Eldorado and everything else around. Of course, now it starts to rain for the first time today. 28 miles, a little over 8k' of elevation gain. The clouds seemed to be chasing us up Hunchback Pass. We played leap frog with the other groups of hikers most of the day as we passed them on their breaks and vice versa. Overall a pretty remote and isolated trail with beautiful scenery, clean water everywhere and pristine nature. I dont know which to trust, but it was a long day regardless. Check out my AWESOME DIY stealth camper van build project! It was well worn and looked much less difficult than I had imagined. Im assuming forest service will clear this soon. The rain sucked, but it sure did make you appreciate what little sunshine we did get. Whitewater trips for more experienced adventurers. The views were awe inspiring, but of course, it began to rain. The trial follows the 44 road by Kite Lake. We also saw more people this morning than the rest of the trip combined! Browse different rides & seasonal events. From above, I spotted a deer down below on the trail to Kite Lake. You ride the Durango/Silverton Steam Train and it drops you off. Never miss a new post! There was goat hair all around the campsite, but we had yet to see one. On day two, we encountered an even larger debris field between Beaver Pond and the ascent to the miner's shack. We headed down towards Kite, watching as the fog grew more and more around us. All we could do is move downhill as quickly as possible, and after descending another 1500 feet or so, all was well again. 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. Highlights were kite lake, columbine pass, and Chicago basin. Most of our clothing was wet, including our backpacks and other gear, so we finally had a chance to dry them out some. It was pretty hot when the sun was shining, but it didnt shine too long. This is a spectacular trip with abundant scenery and lots of solitude. Highly recommend! In the morning, I headed down to the railroad, and caught the train to Silverton, then rode back to Durango. As the evening progressed, we saw several deer both near our camp and off in the distance. So much for being packed. . In summer, you may want to bring along a bug net to fit over your hat to protect yourself from mosquitoes, gnats and black flies. There is no road access to either the Elk Park or Needleton trail access points. Yes, either hiking boots or hiking shoes are a very good idea on these trails. Note that these satellite device options typically require that you have an active subscription to use the features. 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. Once I got a little closer to the drainage, I could see the water flowing through a narrow gorge carved into the rock. We may earn a commission when you use one of our links to make a purchase. 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. Straddling sections of the infamous Continental . We ended up eating at Diorios Pizza which was pretty good. Or the Osprey Eja 58 pack I preferred the Airspeed suspension system on it. As always, questions and comments are welcome! We stopped to eat lunch on a talus slope and observed many pikas, no marmots yet though. It was great to get some hot food in our stomachs before heading to our hotel in Pagosa Springs. Physically, I did pretty well on this hike. Everyone in the shack jumped up immediately, rushing to put on boots and grab their gear as we rushed towards the tracks. It was slippery and a little scary in the rain. It didnt rain extremely heavily at any time, but it was just so damn frequent. A very convenient spot for an abandoned shack to be located. You have to make the backpacker train reservations by phone, not online. I just forwarded the link so he get get psyched up! 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. We walked 44 miles vs the 36 listed in the app. But, thats another story for another trip report. From Twin Lakes, I made it back to my campsite in 35 minutes. Still, there were several more people that were waiting by the train tracks and elsewhere. Carrying a backpack downhill has wreaked havoc on my knees on my last few hikes, but I was spared this time. tnmule20 68 Posted February 10, 2022. tnmule20. Did this in and back turning around a waterfall. You then pass over the continental divide twice and the train picks you back up. I followed the lake to its drainage, which for reference was directly south of the Miners Cabin. Id say we averaged about 4-5 bouts of rain per day. We spend a good while collecting firewood, but as wet as it was, it was a bit of a challenge. Early morning often leaves thick fog in valleys, only to be burnt away later by the sun. On the Elk Park to Needleton loop, the emergency outs are limited. Lisa had a bit of trouble last year in the Maroon Bells when we hiked the Four Pass Loop, and I may have had a slight headache that first day as well. There was another meadow a mile or so past our camp that would have been a nice place to spend the night. Columbine Pass and Chicago Basin probably were the highlights of the trip -- incredibly high and scenic alpine country. The plan was to camp at either Kite Lake or Eldorado Lake, whichever looked more appealing. Otherwise, you can order a big map from mytopo.com. We did the Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton Loop which was 36 miles. I headed up and made good time moving through here as it was pretty easy. Prepare to not have a cell signal. We hardly saw any other hikers until Chicago Basin. Your email address will not be published. For comparison, where we live is around 800 feet above sea level. On day four, we hiked along the 4wd road to Pole Creek and picked up our ride there. Absolutely stunning! Try this 60.4-km point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. Finally below the clouds after descending Hunchback Pass, These deer practically walked right up to us while we ate lunch. 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. Length: 7.9 mi Est. I was happy we brought along puffer jackets and rain coats. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. Discover this 6.9-mile out-and-back trail near Silverton, Colorado. Basin and Range Trail (2020) 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. Soon enough, wed be overtaken by the unavoidable fog. I felt a few drops of rain just as the trail leaves the Twin Lakes area and dips back into Chicago Basin. 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. I took the driest looking campsite I could find, which wasnt saying much. At mile 4.25 or so, there were some nice camping spots in the meadow. West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. This time, we were sure to be acclimated to the elevation. The bridge at Vallecito Creek, near Johnson Creek, is still good. To board at a flagstop, you must be on the east side of the tracks. Miles Hiked 14.5 Continental Divide Trail At the Divide, the trail connects with the Continental Divide Trail. Most of the avalanche debris on Elk Creek/CT has now been cleared, and what is left is fairly easy to navigate. We reached the drop off at Elk Park (about . There were a few pockets of snow tucked away here and there, but nothing too large. See this list of my favorite freeze-dried meals if youre curious about what theyre like. Nice! The trail follows Elk Creek, and I believe it was called the Elk Creek Trail. This is the beaver pond that people often reference when hiking this section of trail. This was perfect! Really helpful report! Share Followers 0. Even though I initially didnt want to build a fire, I was really glad to have it going now. NOTE: As of 2021, we have been informed that you cannot board the train in Silverton and get dropped off at Needleton. Ill send this to your email as well. 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. View Profile Lisa was out roaming too, watching the many Ptarmigan birds in the area. If we werent wet and hungry, I might have stopped to check it out further, but again, we were on a mission to find camp. After the train dropped us off at Elk Park, it was pretty quiet. You can download the GPX file here: http://metalbackpacker.com/wp-content/uploads/gpx/WeminucheRouteHiked.gpx. There didnt appear to be any evidence of beavers here either. After staring me down for a minute, they decided to move in my direction. Definitely recommend to bring waterproofs shoes and pants to be comfortable. 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. The first morning of a hike always takes the longest to get going. During the summer months, May-October, adventurers can access the wilderness from the Durango train. We only had to wait 30 minutes before suiting up. Avalanche debris was cleared. You write quite well. Campsite in Chicago Basin for nights 4 and 5. We didnt take the train so we started at Molas Lake and walked to Needlestop. The best spot for camping was at Kite Lake, worth waking up to see the sunrise reflected on the lake. Then on the way back, youll catch the southbound train at Needleton and ride back to Durango. However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. Success! This is a popular trail for birding and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The train gives outdoors lovers immediate access to the Weminuche Wilderness and San Juan National Forest for hiking, backpacking, rafting, fishing and other activities. Plenty water sources, every day at least 2. I like these Sunski polarized sunglasses and Shady Rays sunglasses. Looking down on Columbine Lake near the top of Columbine Pass. A friend and I attempted this horseshoe hike in reverse last weekend (Aug 14). I was very surprised that there were no seats available, the train was pretty packed. 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. I recommend bringing a trekking pole to help support and steady yourself on the trail. Seeing the fog rise from the mountains and engulf the peaks around us was incredible. More jokes were cracked to the effect of mines smaller than yours and isnt it usually the other way around?. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! Thanks for sharing. I am curious - does anyone have first hand knowledge of current conditions in Chicago Basin, Columbine Pass, Johnson Creek and Vallecito Trail. This was a class 3 in my opinion. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. The train moves very slow, around 18 MPH max speed. Every campground, hotel, and intersection we passed, there were people waving at the train. There were no signs of private property here, so we hung out here while we waited for the train. The altitude on this backpacking loop varies from around 8,000 to nearly 13,000 feet above sea level. One stream crossing after the Vallecito bridge about mid calf. That is, of course, after hot meal and long hot shower! We got to the train stop at noon and the train picked us up at 3pm. At that point, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury. Hey Trey, Its been many years since I did this hike so pardon my memory here. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Most were quick to check out the shack as we did, so the cinder block and wood plank benches filled up fast. Everywhere along the horizon, fog could be seen rising from the mountains. Getting close to the top of Hunchback Pass. This was my first hike of more than five miles. Or are there other routes you could r commend for some stream and lake fishing? Heres what we learned while preparing for the Elk Park to Needleton hike, plus a few things I wish Id known ahead of time! Maybe not a traditional campsite, but it was by far the driest campsite Id seen on this trip yet. This was already painting a picture of what Chicago Basin might be like tomorrow, as it is supposed to be the most heavily used area in the Weminuche Wilderness. Youre hiking at high elevation in a very sunny spot, so protecting your eyes is important. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. I made it to the top before Lisa and snapped a few pictures before the rain returned moments later. Clothes and gear is now dry (mostly), and we wreaked of smoke. Would you advise camping at Twin Lakes? Before you head out into the wilderness, make sure you know where youre going! Great hope they dont cause us any trouble tonight. 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. The mountain scenery is spectacular the whole way, and you cross over several high passes along the way. Route Vallecito Creek Bridge to Chicago Basin. With no campfire, stars to gaze at, or any other reason to remain awake, we went to bed as the sun went down. My knees were holding up very well so far this trip and I figured, why not? Not long after, we watched the same goats cross the creek and head towards our general area. Looking back up the way I just came down from Windom Peak. 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. This satellite powered device is able to track your location on a digital map, share your location with friends/family, send basic text messages, and (most importantly) it has an emergency SOS button to get help. A mine along the trail leading down into Chicago Basin. Then, we saw 2 mountain goats on the other side of Needle Creek that had just walked into someones camp. Eventually, I was able to scare them off pretty good by simply throwing my arms up in the air. Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). I watched the bolts of lightning in the distance for a while before going to bed. What a place for a cabin! Without going closer, theres no way of knowing what the rest of it looked like. Leave from Durango or Silverton and get off to explore at Elk Park, Needleton or one of the flagstops. We brought along this Weminuche Wilderness National Geographic map. I chucked some rocks and shouted at them, but theyd just walk 5 feet away and stare back at us. Are you planning a backpacking adventure in the Weminuche Wilderness of southern Colorado? I knew I was going to punish them here and figured itd be best to give them any help they can get. On day one, between the Elk Park Train Drop Off Trail Head and Beaver Pond, we encountered 3 large debris fields. 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. 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. It was one of our Black Diamond Alpine carbon trekking poles, which was extra sad. Of course, this is contingent on cooperating weather. But if you need an even warmer quilt, weve heard very good things about the quilts from Enlightened Equipment. Trees blocked most of the views. It was very quiet once the train left Elk Park. Either way, it was going to be another short day with only about 6 miles to cover. 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. We got to the train station around 7:15am, as we were told to be there 45 minutes early. Since cell service is unlikely, the Garmin InReach Mini 2 became our lifeline. There were a lot of berries along the trail, although not all edible. (We didnt see any, but we heard they were plentiful.). This was worth the trip alone and something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime! 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. I dont trust the skies and just assume it will rain later today. It has a mesh frame that holds the weight of the pack slightly off your back. Bob Marshall. Our trek group of 6 - ages ranging from 17 to 64 years. It is a fairly difficult hike, but not one that isn't doable. Shortly after, we saw the skull with spine still connected of some type of antlered animal alongside the trail. Miles Hiked 10.4 But we opted to take the train! They ran downhill and out of sight, and I kept moving. 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. This was our third trek on this trail. However, from the trailhead sign it was another 1/2 mile or so before we actually reached the train stop. Our lunch spot today was next to a waterfall. Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. Complete Weminuche Wilderness Photo Gallery | Weminuche HD Video. Miles: 45 Days: 6-8 Difficulty: Strenuous. Depending on where you plan to board the train, plan ahead and determine which parking option meets your needs best. The oldest cart on the train was built in 1879, and the oldest engine was from 1925 I believe. 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. Ride the train to a day of ziplining on the longest course in the US. Down to Eldorado. I was mainly happy to dry out my boots. The trail is always very clear and easy to follow. For details on the hike itself, see my post about the various trail segments. Eventually, it became steeper, to the point where there were some moments of exposure. I hope your backpacking trip is just as epic as ours was. 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. It was around 1:45pm when we rolled into camp today. This will be especially helpful during creek crossings and on downhill areas with loose pebbles. Lisa made it up 15 minutes later, but we didnt stick around too long. This is the "fourth bridge" of vallecito creek, north of the vallecito campground/Trailhead. We snacked on sour patch kids by the fire for a while before letting it burn out. Thanks for sharing. I wasnt sore at all until day 4 or 5, with only moderate soreness in the hamstrings. Again, a lot of trees were down that we had to circumnavigate. We had a couple of long days and some short days with lots of time to relax. Awesome, glad it was useful to you. We passed several waterfalls and areas of whitewater. My breakfast today was a very hearty helping of granola and almonds (about 800 calories worth), and some dried strawberries.