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 on and off rain was definitely a bummer though. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. After realizing that, I looked around and could see where the trail picked up again, and started hiking directly towards the trail in the distance. There was a lot of toilet paper and poop laying around near some of the campsites though, evidence of heavy usage. It resides at 8,277 feet of elevation in San Juan County. Colorado Adventure 2022 San Juan Mountains Weminuche Wilderness Elk Park - Needleton Loop - YouTube Backpacking trip in the San Juan Mountains in July 2022. To close the loop I have to get from Needleton fo Elk Park (6.5mi). Once I got a little closer to the drainage, I could see the water flowing through a narrow gorge carved into the rock. Absolute Best 5-7 Day Backpacking Trip ID,MT, or WY It even had some rails leading in and out of it. I asked one of the train workers if we could sit in the covered carts even though we had tickets for the open cart, and he said sure, if theres a seat available. Go figure, good weather on the last day. This hike is definitely a good one! My knees were holding up very well so far this trip and I figured, why not? Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). The trail is always very clear and easy to follow. Overall a pretty remote and isolated trail with beautiful scenery, clean water everywhere and pristine nature. However, the clouds were building now and threatened to block the sun for the first time today. I updated this post to include a map of the Weminuche Wilderness, with trailhead locations marked. Its relatively easy to walk over/around them, but be patient and expect a slight delay. We were thrilled when a ranger who had just cleared out the trail told us the three 12,000-foot passes on our route were free of snow. The names of surrounding landmarks included Stormy Gulch and Storm King Peak, and now I understood why. I found a semi dry spot under a pine tree to hang out during the rain while Lisa took cover in the tent. For your monthly pledge, at various tier levels starting at $5, you receive perks and benefits in return. The people were yelling at them and throwing rocks to try and scare them away, but the goats were pretty stubborn. DRGW.Net | Elk Park, CO The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. Very isolated in the middle of the trail, we only saw 1 other person each day. I figured more people would be out here doing the full loop like we were doing, but that clearly wasnt the case. Looking down on Columbine Lake near the top of Columbine Pass. 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. 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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. Id say we averaged 5 people seen per day on days 1-4. They were finally able to scare the goats away for good by barking at them like a dog. I'll never forget it. There were no beavers. If you found my trip report useful, please dont hesitate to leave a comment! This hike primary route. See this list of my favorite freeze-dried meals if youre curious about what theyre like. Elk Park flag stop to Needleton flag stop between Durango and Silverton Elk Park flag stop to Needleton flag stop between Durango and Silverton. Our backpack would take us on a horseshoe loop from Elk. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). Even though I initially didnt want to build a fire, I was really glad to have it going now. About a half hour later we arrived at the bridge, and it was a welcome sight. The Weminuche Loop is a classic 40-50 mile horseshoe hike that starts at Elk Park and ends at Needleton. Brandon why didnt you ask for Tiffanys number??? This time, we were sure to be acclimated to the elevation. I dont like to sit in the tent if I dont have to. After being in the rain all week, we were still getting rained on during the train ride back. Here comes my ride! Have a good hike! Hail/freezing rain/snow was falling, and it was Hunchback Pass all over again, with a little better visibility. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. We had about 7 miles of downhill hiking to the train, which arrives at 3:30, and thus were not in a hurry. Ive started research for a September 2017 trip and came across your report. He discourses on his own mortality, about getting too old to have such adventures, and striking your own path in life while you still can." Would you advise camping at Columbine Lake? This looks more like some of the pictures Id seen of the San Juans before our trip. Campsite in Chicago Basin for nights 4 and 5. To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. There were a lot of berries along the trail, although not all edible. To reach this trail on foot, some hikers make a longer loop from the Molas Trail (about four miles). When we stopped for lunch, two deer wandered into our resting area. As the sun went down, the goats headed back up the mountainside for the evening. Almost immediately, it began to rain a little. I knew I was going to punish them here and figured itd be best to give them any help they can get. (We didnt see any, but we heard they were plentiful.). I couldnt see the mountains behind me at all now, they were lost in the clouds. It looked like a nice spot, close to the water, but the views werent excellent. For shelter, we carried a backpacking tent, as well as a double sleeping pad, Sea to Summit Thermolite sleeping bag liners, and a compressible backpacking quilt. Very clear and interesting. As the evening progressed, we saw several deer both near our camp and off in the distance. I dont know why these animals are so persistent about going to a specific location when there are humans there. I am curious - does anyone have first hand knowledge of current conditions in Chicago Basin, Columbine Pass, Johnson Creek and Vallecito Trail. Highly recommend! This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. 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. Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). Cell service is highly unlikely. Miles: 45 Days: 6-8 Difficulty: Strenuous. After climbing about a third of the way up to the CDT, I hit a switchback, which I gladly used the rest of the way up. There was a new amazing view after every turn. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. Getting close to the top of Hunchback Pass. Again, a lot of trees were down that we had to circumnavigate. 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. He mentioned a possible shortcut to get up here from the Colorado Trail, by going up the drainage. I have done this one twice!! I am going in Aug 2017 and want to make sure to get a good map. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. The unincorporated community of Needleton is very secluded east from the Highway 550. The oldest cart on the train was built in 1879, and the oldest engine was from 1925 I believe. We got to the train stop at noon and the train picked us up at 3pm. We didn't. Windward_Coug. Are there fishing opportunities along this route? After 3 hours, we were finally back in Durango. We didn't want to risk going up and over Hunchback, down Vallecito, up Johnson Creek, over Columbine Pass and into Chicago Basin. 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. Within the first mile, we encountered a snake on the trail. Early morning at the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad station. Since youll be hiking in the Rocky Mountains, you should be Bear Aware. Learn more about this exciting opportunity for outdoor recreation youll find only in Durango. Sunlight Peak via Needle Creek Trail | Map, Guide - Colorado | AllTrails We headed down towards Kite, watching as the fog grew more and more around us. Since we paid for parking at the railroad, we drove back there and parked while we set out on foot once gain. Id say we averaged about 4-5 bouts of rain per day. Climb aboard and make memories youll cherish forever by planning an outdoor adventure that starts on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. We passed 2 guys who had asked us how far Roell Creek was, but I wasnt familiar with that one. Weminuche Wilderness, CO - Elk Park/Needleton Loop Hike We got off the train at elk park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day. Completed this loop early July 2021. However, Im sure you could find a clearing to put a tent somewhere. Breathtaking! 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. Call the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at 1-888-872-4607 to book and make your reservation. Really, it shouldnt be called a creek, but a river instead. Weminuche Wilderness, CO Elk Park/Needleton Loop Hike. 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 Actually, mid May. These guys didnt seem as threatening though. Lisa was out roaming too, watching the many Ptarmigan birds in the area. There are two main access points for the wilderness: Elk Park and Needleton. Keep a close eye on your belongings: these feisty critters can chew threw packs quickly. On day three, we made our way up and over the Continental Divide and into the beautiful meadow just below Hunchback Pass. Expect to pay for the train tickets, a baggage fee (for your backpack, which goes in the boxcar train), and an overnight parking fee. Swampy, muddy areas where your foot sinks ankle deep in mud are also likely, as well as multiple creek crossings. False alarm. It is a fairly difficult hike, but not one that isn't doable. Check out this 17.3-mile out-and-back trail near Durango, Colorado. Finally, the weather is cooperating! The low clouds were back, engulfing Mount Kennedy southwest of us. This seemed pretty pointless though, because we just stood around until about 7:50. At what point along your route could you hike out and call it quits (or hike out for help)? We estimated ~100 trees that we had to go over, under, or around - felt like a tough mudder. 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. Start your next Durango outdoor adventure from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. After leaving Chicago Basin, the trail was actually kind of boring compared to the rest of our hike. We had to stand guard for a while to make sure they didnt walk right into our camp. The times we've done this, the train departed Silverton about 2:45 PM and dropped us of by 3:45 PM. After checking our gear and getting set up, we were on our way. I was rewarded with an amazing view of the Weminuche Wilderness, unobstructed by clouds for the first time all week. instead of the 7:30AM train which stopped at Needleton. 2023 Best 10 Trails and Hikes in Silverton | AllTrails Very well done! Looking for a 40-60 mile, week trip. Besides that, she was very happy to have a day off to rest. 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. After about 20 minutes of hiking, I ran into my first mountain goats of the day. I couldnt resist the chance to whip out my Klymit Inertia X-Frame sleeping pad that I bought a few months back. 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. Where the lake began to drain out down the mountainside, there were remnants of an old dam here. Yes, either hiking boots or hiking shoes are a very good idea on these trails. Youll be hiking in a wilderness area. Great report, how can I get your waypoints? Making reservations to ride the train to the wilderness is easy. For that reason, a small cart follows the train to check for any fires started by the train alongside the tracks. Bugs were pretty bad this year. There was goat hair all around the campsite, but we had yet to see one. 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. Still, I was glad to have spent the night at Eldorado Lake. There is no road access to either the Elk Park or Needleton trail access points. We knew that the odds were pretty good that goats would wander near us too, eventually. Some hikers we met said that it sleeted on them one evening (when it had only rained on us). What a morale booster it was. Our dehydrated meals said they were tested at 5,000-foot elevation, and to double the cook time for every additional 5,000 feet. At columbine Lake, I dont think youd have an issue finding a suitable site. The Needleton stop also gives you access to the Needle Creek Trail, Johnson Creek Trail and the Chicago Basin. Yes there is. The benefit is being able to skip the train and park at the Lime Mesa TH. I couldnt really see Kite Lake well from the the CDT, but as I said earlier, my mind was pretty much set. For comparison, where we live is around 800 feet above sea level. Awesome views all around, but it was still cold and precipitating out and thus my camera stayed under my rain jacket. This was comical, yet useful information at the same time. This was perfect! 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. I didnt want to go crazy on day 1 anyways, so it worked out that it was a shorter day. More mountain goats as I leave the Twins Lake area. The nature back there is unbelievable. Food takes longer to cook at high altitudes. You write quite well. Heres an overview map of the Weminuche Wilderness, which includes trailhead locations. Getting down to the water and going through the process of purifying the water was a bit of a pain here, but I wanted to get it out of the way in case it started raining again. Hikers exchanged stories about their experiences in the Weminuche Wilderness and beyond to kill the time. Finally, it was time to start this hike. Dogs are also able to. Ran I to some bad weather that chased us out on the 2nd day but we saw a few moose on this trail. However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. Passing through a colorful meadow on the morning of day 2, Nearing the treeline, the views start improving. I used a Deuter Kids 40 pack (it has an adjustable torso section for short people!) I dont know which to trust, but it was a long day regardless. More views ruined by the weather, and as a result I took few pictures in this area. Fog billowed from distant peaks, and it was pretty dark around me as well now. All we could do is move downhill as quickly as possible, and after descending another 1500 feet or so, all was well again. Was the extra research and time spent preparing for the Elk Park to Needleton trip worth it? Then on the way back, youll catch the southbound train at Needleton and ride back to Durango. Please be aware that reservations can only be made from Durango and Silverton originations. The train moves very slow, around 18 MPH max speed. Seeing the fog rise from the mountains and engulf the peaks around us was incredible. I guess thats good, because that was less people we saw on the other days. We also saw more people this morning than the rest of the trip combined! We reached the drop off at Elk Park (about . 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! On the Elk Park to Needleton loop, the emergency outs are limited. 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. 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 San Juan mountains are notorious for being snowy and the best time is probably mid July to Mid September. They ran downhill and out of sight, and I kept moving. This is a spectacular trip with abundant scenery and lots of solitude. Now back on the trail, we were approaching the CDT. 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. We settled for this spot and set up camp by 4pm or so. I took it out of its stuff sack and unrolled it and the looks on their faces were just priceless. Parking is available at the Silverton Depot at no charge. From there, youll have a choice of where youd like to go. We had a lot of rain, starting everyday around 1 pm and lasting for a couple of hours. The map in my trip report is generated from a wordpress plugin, where I uploaded my GPX file of the hike. You have to make the backpacker train reservations by phone, not online. He sure did look delicious, haha. Our most reliable digital map was from Garmin, within the Garmin Explore app on my phone. Looking up, it looked very easy and straight forward. One option for a multi-day trip is from the Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton. 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. Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road. 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 weather was once again threatening to rain as I made it to the top, finally sitting up on the CDT. Avalanche debris was cleared. 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. The trail follows Elk Creek, and I believe it was called the Elk Creek Trail. Length: 7.9 mi Est. Clothes and gear is now dry (mostly), and we wreaked of smoke. No hot dogs tonight, maybe night 3. Ride the train to a day of ziplining on the longest course in the US. we get old because we stop hiking" on the back. 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. Some streams had a lot of flash flood debris jammed up in certain points, more so than wed seen in other areas. The second day we did ~13 miles which included two peaks with kite lake in between. There were a few more mines along the trail here, and one appeared to be deeper than the others we had explored. Otherwise, you can order a big map from mytopo.com. Route Elk Park train stop to camp along Elk Creek at ~10,300ft. That's $100 bucks round-trip for a train ticket! I feel like my extra efforts in training before this trip really made the difference in my knees. There is no road access to either the Elk Park or Needleton trail access points. In good weather it should not be a problem. Its also a good idea to drink lots of water (more so than at sea level). This was a class 3 in my opinion. 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 train follows the overall route of the Animas River northward from Durango and stops at Silverton, however, we werent going that far. We loved this trail and would highly recommend! I meandered around the lake a while and snapped some pictures before heading back to camp. I'm a traveler who loves to eat. Excellent trip report, thanks for doing this. West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. Eolus. It was raining up here and quite cold. I didnt rain much though. 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 . Between the trailhead marker and train stop was actually private property with a few shacks, cabins, and homes built. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! Are you planning a backpacking adventure in the Weminuche Wilderness of southern Colorado? It ended up raining everyday, several times a day while we were here. After taking some great photos near the lake, I started heading down. Soon enough it was back to the rain. If youre boarding the train at a flag stop, you need to alert the conductor. Lisa made it up 15 minutes later, but we didnt stick around too long. Weminuche Wilderness in southern Colorado. You take a train from The Elk Park stop gives you access to the Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Vallecito Creek Trail. Enjoy the hike, its a good one! The views were awe inspiring, but of course, it began to rain. I had no way of keeping my gear out of the reach of the rodents. Farther downstream revealed a tall but tiny waterfall before the land leveled out near the lake. We hardly saw any other hikers until Chicago Basin. The bridge at Vallecito Creek, near Johnson Creek, is still good. Vallecito Basin, which lies below Columbine pass, was pretty nice. As of the 2013 season, a round-trip ticket is $90.10 + $10.00 for your pack. Youre hiking at high elevation in a very sunny spot, so protecting your eyes is important. The Durango-Silverton railroad heading north to Elk Park. Recent avalanche activity over the winter/spring created several debris fields that required us to do some significant trailblazing. 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). Early morning often leaves thick fog in valleys, only to be burnt away later by the sun. Carrying a backpack downhill has wreaked havoc on my knees on my last few hikes, but I was spared this time. One guy stopped and said Whoa, what are you doing going up that? As with the other days, we passed many streams and waterfalls on the way up. The only way to combat them is it cover up your skin with long sleeves, jacket hood, etc. Awesome, thanks! There were also a lot of flowers alongside the trail, and there were tons of butterflies on them. The skies did not look good and I was not sure whether or not I would be climbing tomorrow. This is a popular trail for birding and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Trains run daily, with wilderness access available during summer months. The Twin Lakes were still in the shadows, as the sun had not yet risen high enough to illuminate it. When taking a train leaving from Durango, you need to be in your seat 30 minutes before departure. Cant wait to try this trip myself! 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. There were a bunch of waterfalls along Needle Creek though. One stream crossing after the Vallecito bridge about mid calf. People really are friendly in Colorado! We played leap frog with the other groups of hikers most of the day as we passed them on their breaks and vice versa. Check out my AWESOME DIY stealth camper van build project! We saw deers, elk, mountain goat, beavers. I reached the summit of Windom Peak (14,087ft) by around 8:30. Oh well. Great hope they dont cause us any trouble tonight. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. Sultan Peak | Map, Guide - Silverton, CO | AllTrails Very nice trip report! It was only 11:45, so we had 3:45 to wait. Great backpacking experience!! The hiker who told me about the mice up here had camped here last night. Everything was wet, including my feet. I love being above the treeline, and I was excited to hike today. Whitewater rafting with professional guides. 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. with an Osprey water bladder. Prueba esta ruta de punto a punto de 37,3-millas cerca de Silverton, Colorado. I modified my workout regimen before this hike to try and strengthen certain parts of the leg muscles that support the knee function, some intense stair climb sessions (45lb pack), as well as doing a lot more stretching. The only stop on the southbound trail in the afternoon is Elk Park. Your email address will not be published. 7 of the Best Summer Backpacking Trips in the Mountain West Hikers can be seen on the Continental Divide Trail, above on the ridgeline, The path up to the CDT is a long, winding series of switchbacks. 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. Shortly after, we saw the skull with spine still connected of some type of antlered animal alongside the trail. I think we also got hailed on every day as well, with the exception of our last day. Two other climbers reached the top during my stay up here. Thank you for taking the time to write it! However, to hike this trail as I did, you will need to secure a train reservation through the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. By now, there were clouds brewing in all directions, but nothing serious yet. Our brakeman Sam was a wealth of knowledge about any kind of train-related questions we had. There were a few pockets of snow tucked away here and there, but nothing too large. Eventually, it became steeper, to the point where there were some moments of exposure. By tnmule20, February 10, 2022 in Camping & High Adventure. Carry a comfortable pack with a water reservoir. My group is collectively only able to go last week of May/first week of June. tnmule20 68 Posted February 10, 2022. tnmule20. Thats for water drainage, and maybe goats. I laughed and told him how I lost the trail before it headed up. The skies were grey to start the day, but gave way to some blue patches by mid morning. It was a dream and once in a lifetime trip! This is the beaver pond that people often reference when hiking this section of trail. I would have taken more pictures, but I didnt want my camera to get wet. After lunch, we continued to climb in elevation until we reached the Miners Cabin just below the CDT. If you are open to suggestions, maybe have a look at the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico. This particular mine only ran about 30ft or so, and was not that interesting. The water is gorgeous. Ill send this to your email as well. The altitude will affect water filters and food cook time, which is usually explained on the packaging. It sounds funny, but for some reason hey turned and ran when I did that and never came back. Coming down from hunchback pass we had to climb over or around several (and I mean several) trees that were across the path. We chatted for a while and took turns taking pictures of each other before they headed down.
