elk park train stop to needleton elk park train stop to needleton

So far, so good. This was our third trek on this trail. This entry was posted on August 29, 2013. Trees blocked most of the views. 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. It even had some rails leading in and out of it. We spend a good while collecting firewood, but as wet as it was, it was a bit of a challenge. Tips for Camping With Your Kids in Durango, Colorado. We hiked from the Elk Park train stop to Needleton, which includes about 43 miles of hiking in the San Juan mountains. The bridge at Vallecito Creek, near Johnson Creek, is still good. The trail leading down to Kite Lake from the CDT, View of Kite Lake, before it disappeared in the growing fog. Browse different rides & seasonal events. I was . When we stopped for lunch, two deer wandered into our resting area. Length: 7.9 mi Est. instead of the 7:30AM train which stopped at Needleton. I hit the trail around 6:15 with full rain gear on. One night while we slept inside our River Country trekking pole tent, something chewed the cork handle off one of the poles (presumably because of salt residue from sweat). There was goat hair all around the campsite, but we had yet to see one. Once on board, you'll be able to ride back to Durango or Silverton to finish your adventure. The unincorporated community of Needleton is very secluded east from the Highway 550. Continental Divide Trail At the Divide, the trail connects with the Continental Divide Trail. Excellent views all around. We ended up eating at Diorios Pizza which was pretty good. The only stop on the southbound trail in the afternoon is Elk Park. They ran downhill and out of sight, and I kept moving. Esta ruta es popular para mochilear, disfrutar de la observacin de aves y ir de camping, sin embargo, podrs disfrutar de algo de paz durante los momentos ms tranquilos del da. I found nothing that was going to be snow free and chose the Gila. We settled for this spot and set up camp by 4pm or so. After driving around town, we realized that there was zero parking available anywhere. Fortunately it was all downhill, so we could cover some serious ground, which I assumed would be at the expense of my knees. I hung out up here a while longer before deciding to head down around 10am. Our food and gear were safe from the mice last night, so that was a relief. And what a campsite that would be, killer views! You can download the GPX file here: http://metalbackpacker.com/wp-content/uploads/gpx/WeminucheRouteHiked.gpx. Parking in Durango is $8 per day for cars and $10 per day for RVs. What a place for a cabin though! Just import my GPX file and then you can print it out. I wasnt sore at all until day 4 or 5, with only moderate soreness in the hamstrings. Miles Hiked 5.4 If youre doing the whole Elk Park to Needleton loop, take the Durango-Silverton diesel train north from Durango to Elk Park. Was the extra research and time spent preparing for the Elk Park to Needleton trip worth it? There were no beavers. On this section of the trail, the views were mostly obstructed by trees until we reached the beaver pond at mile 3. As of the 2013 season, a round-trip ticket is $90.10 + $10.00 for your pack. 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! I did put a knee brace on, both knees, for the first time ever. I couldnt resist the chance to whip out my Klymit Inertia X-Frame sleeping pad that I bought a few months back. I decided to take pictures of the lake later and just head up Windom now. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. 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. Ran I to some bad weather that chased us out on the 2nd day but we saw a few moose on this trail. is to leave an itinerary with a responsible person back home, as well as a time and date when they should call for help if they dont hear from you. Expect to pay for the train tickets, a baggage fee (for your backpack, which goes in the boxcar train), and an overnight parking fee. Needless to say, our rain gear would be used heavily on this trip. Our stop is Elk Park, a 3 hour ride from Durango. Since we paid for parking at the railroad, we drove back there and parked while we set out on foot once gain. At 36 miles in length, this trip would likely span four or five days for average hikers, and it offers the unique ability to ride the Durango-Silverton train to access the trail. This route includes 3 trails. I dont know which to trust, but it was a long day regardless. Its easy to explore the Colorado wilderness from the Durango train. Wed been in Colorado a week now, doing other cool stuff like the Colorado National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park, Denver & Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park, Telluride, etc. 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. The trail wasnt too steep most of the way up this morning. None of them seemed very dry though. tnmule20 68 Posted February 10, 2022. tnmule20. The views were awe inspiring, but of course, it began to rain. Especially considering the status of cell phone service (which well discuss below). The water was deep and fast flowing here. As with the other days, we passed many streams and waterfalls on the way up. Early morning often leaves thick fog in valleys, only to be burnt away later by the sun. I didnt want to go crazy on day 1 anyways, so it worked out that it was a shorter day. Maybe not a traditional campsite, but it was by far the driest campsite Id seen on this trip yet. My boots were the driest theyd been since day 1, and I really didnt want to get stuck in rain today. Colorado Adventure 2022 San Juan Mountains Weminuche Wilderness Elk Park - Needleton Loop - YouTube Backpacking trip in the San Juan Mountains in July 2022. You could see burnt trees the entire train ride, so I guess its a pretty real threat. The mountain goats I saw on the rocks earlier were in the same general spot on my way back. As the evening progressed, we saw several deer both near our camp and off in the distance. Our brakeman Sam was a wealth of knowledge about any kind of train-related questions we had. The train ride out of Durango and through the Rockwood Cut was quite enjoyable. The altitude will affect water filters and food cook time, which is usually explained on the packaging. What a morale booster it was. For suggestions, see my guides to the best womens hiking boots and hiking gear for men. 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. Physically, I did pretty well on this hike. Copyright 2015-2023 Champagne TastesAll Rights Reserved. After the train dropped us off at Elk Park, it was pretty quiet. Miles Hiked 14.5 Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. At 2:45, we heard a train approaching that sounded its whistle. You can board the train for wilderness access in Durango or Silverton. Another option (which you should probably do anyway!) In addition to us, there was also a group of 2, 3, and 4 other hikers who also got off the train. Youll encounter very rocky terrain (skip the zero drop / barefoot style boots on these trails your feet will be too sore!). At that point, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury. From there, youll have a choice of where youd like to go. 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. On the train, make sure to talk to the train staff! 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. Straddling sections of the infamous Continental . There was even a distinct trail that led much of the way up, until it could no longer be seen amongst the boulders. This was a class 3 in my opinion. They were finally able to scare the goats away for good by barking at them like a dog. Heres an overview map of the Weminuche Wilderness, which includes trailhead locations. Things open up a bit after this pond and there are some meadows to camp in if you were so inclined. 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. Columbine Pass The crowning jewel on our recent vacation to Colorado was an epic backpacking trip. The benefit is being able to skip the train and park at the Lime Mesa TH. Im taking a group on essentially this same trip in a couple weeks, and your pictures and story are very inspiring. I couldnt really see Kite Lake well from the the CDT, but as I said earlier, my mind was pretty much set. Keep a close eye on your belongings: these feisty critters can chew threw packs quickly. Nine miles long, the route climbs 3,760 feet to the Continental Divide. Then on the way back, youll catch the southbound train at Needleton and ride back to Durango. It was almost comical how many people waved at us as the train chugged through town. No hot dogs tonight, maybe night 3. The clouds seemed to be chasing us up Hunchback Pass. 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. It might be tough to find a good alpine hike that early in the season. The mountain scenery is spectacular the whole way, and you cross over several high passes along the way. However, from the trailhead sign it was another 1/2 mile or so before we actually reached the train stop. Awesome views all around, but it was still cold and precipitating out and thus my camera stayed under my rain jacket. 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. You have to make the backpacker train reservations by phone, not online. Are there fishing opportunities along this route? A Garmin InReach is one of the pricier emergency options, but there are also less expensive satellite emergency locator beacons (with less functionality). There are two main access points for the wilderness: Elk Park and Needleton. I have done this one twice!! After setting up camp, I decided to go down to the creek to purify some water. The low clouds were back, engulfing Mount Kennedy southwest of us. There was a snowshoe hare, or multiple hares, that I kept seeing as I gathered wood. The water is gorgeous. Im considering doing this loop this summer and you have really helped! After staring me down for a minute, they decided to move in my direction. If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. In good weather it should not be a problem. In fact, there wasnt a single cloud in sight now, just a beautiful deep blue sky in all directions. The rain subsided and we dipped below the clouds into a new valley. 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. Soon enough, wed be overtaken by the unavoidable fog. Now through this little plateau area, the trail starts heaving down pretty quick. 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. It was only 11:45, so we had 3:45 to wait. Por lo general, se considera una ruta moderada, que se tarda una media de 20 h 5 min en recorrer. It was eerie and mesmerizing at the same time. Carry a comfortable pack with a water reservoir. 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. From the drainage area, it was easy to cross to the other side of the lake. Next stop: Wilderness. We also saw more people this morning than the rest of the trip combined! There were a bunch of waterfalls along Needle Creek though. Please be aware that reservations can only be made from Durango and Silverton originations. I meandered around the lake a while and snapped some pictures before heading back to camp. Learn more about this exciting opportunity for outdoor recreation youll find only in Durango. It was around 1:45pm when we rolled into camp today. Passing through a colorful meadow on the morning of day 2, Nearing the treeline, the views start improving. 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. Its an extra 9 miles I believe from Purgatory to Needleton. Whitewater trips for more experienced adventurers. I took advantage of the weather and took a ton of pictures up here. Other trip reports Ive read have indicated that its been this way for years. Where did you get the map? 2. Happy trails! Getting close to the top of Hunchback Pass. Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. We used a Sawyer Squeeze water filter. Still, I was glad to have spent the night at Eldorado Lake. I found a semi dry spot under a pine tree to hang out during the rain while Lisa took cover in the tent. It was one of our Black Diamond Alpine carbon trekking poles, which was extra sad. I did this loop in Late August in the mid 90s and must have gotten a lucky dry weather window. One stream crossing after the Vallecito bridge about mid calf. Id say there were about 20 people total here waiting for the train. The skies were fairly clear when I woke up at 5:30 this morning, but Ive grown weary of the weather in the Weminuche Wilderness at this point. This time, we were sure to be acclimated to the elevation. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. 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. 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. Swampy, muddy areas where your foot sinks ankle deep in mud are also likely, as well as multiple creek crossings. I purified some more water for todays hike and ate breakfast, a Metrx bar and some granola & almonds. Be prepared for a lot of bugs and rain. Miles Hiked 5.4 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. 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. Of course, this is contingent on cooperating weather. I am really loving the granola & almonds, its chocked full of complex carbs and good fats, perfect for hiking. Miles: 45 Days: 6-8 Difficulty: Strenuous. NOTE: As of 2021, we have been informed that you cannot board the train in Silverton and get dropped off at Needleton. One of the train employees told us a little about the history of the train and how things work. At mile 4.25 or so, there were some nice camping spots in the meadow. I felt a few drops of rain just as the trail leaves the Twin Lakes area and dips back into Chicago Basin. Some streams had a lot of flash flood debris jammed up in certain points, more so than wed seen in other areas. We walked 44 miles vs the 36 listed in the app. There were a few pockets of snow tucked away here and there, but nothing too large. Before we knew it, we saw the Weminuche Wilderness boundary sign. The Twin Lakes were still in the shadows, as the sun had not yet risen high enough to illuminate it. If you found my trip report useful, please dont hesitate to leave a comment! Pack your food in a bear sling or bear canister. Caltopo is pretty awesome if you havent used it already. While it did have some beautiful parts, Particularly at the top of the Continental Divide and Columbine Pass, I was disappointed by the avalanche debris in the first 6 miles and the lack of trail maintenance on the section below hunchback pass to the Vallecito Bridge. The water tasted great and was very cold. Venchka. We are early 50s, fairly fit experienced hikers from Durango, and we gave ourselves 5 nights/6 days. However, Im sure you could find a clearing to put a tent somewhere. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. - 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? Since youll be hiking in the Rocky Mountains, you should be Bear Aware. When we visited in September, the days were hot and the nights were cold. Thanks for the great report! I watched the bolts of lightning in the distance for a while before going to bed. It was incredible to see the clouds taking over the area! Once we reached a flat area around 11,650, there were a good amount of campsites scattered about. We had about 7 miles of downhill hiking to the train, which arrives at 3:30, and thus were not in a hurry. Had never seen so many mountains (we're from OK). With no campfire, stars to gaze at, or any other reason to remain awake, we went to bed as the sun went down. Not long after, we watched the same goats cross the creek and head towards our general area. I dont like to sit in the tent if I dont have to. The cinders get in your eyes too, and they recommend that you wear sunglasses as a form of protection. 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. Sure enough, they appeared at the top of the trail heading down to our camp from the main trail. Looking for a slightly larger backpacking pack that will still fit a short torso? Before I knew it though, I was was past the steeper summit section and back down to a more obvious trail. After lunch, the trail had gained enough elevation to start giving us some better views as it passed alongside some cliffs. Not once did we get wet crossing a stream. These guys didnt seem as threatening though. (We didnt see any, but we heard they were plentiful.). Besides that, she was very happy to have a day off to rest. For some reason, the mileage the GPS reports to me in the field is always more than the mileage it gives me at home when I am reviewing the final data. 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. Without going closer, theres no way of knowing what the rest of it looked like. Continental Divide Trail (2018), "His breathing is measured as he narrates his journey, describing the personal allure of the great outdoors, the difference between mere hobby and real passion. Cachanilla83. Would that be too early in the season? Patreon is a service that allows you to provide monthly financial support to your favorite content creators. Your email address will not be published. Theres also a Deuter backpacking pack thats a standard size, if youre taller than I am! 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. Very good tip report. Here comes my ride! The best times to visit this trail are May through September. We set our packs up on a rock ledge with rain covers on, hoping thats be enough to keep them dry. After going up a series of switchbacks, I had reached the Twin Lakes by around 7:15. Start your next Durango outdoor adventure from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The nature back there is unbelievable. Past that meadow, the trail begins to climb past the treeline. This was a pizza by the slice kind of place, and the slices were enormous! Eventually, I was able to scare them off pretty good by simply throwing my arms up in the air. The skies were grey to start the day, but gave way to some blue patches by mid morning. But, thats another story for another trip report. It was very quiet once the train left Elk Park. She said that several of them approached the campsite and some got extremely close. . 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. Coming down from hunchback pass we had to climb over or around several (and I mean several) trees that were across the path. Looking down on Columbine Lake near the top of Columbine Pass. I guess thats good, because that was less people we saw on the other days. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! Breathtaking! For that reason, a small cart follows the train to check for any fires started by the train alongside the tracks. Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. Any way to access this trail without riding the train? We stayed up a little later tonight due to the fire, and ended up going to bed around 11pm. The second day we did ~13 miles which included two peaks with kite lake in between. One of the things that makes this loop so special is that the trailheads can both be reached via the Silverton-Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad, a tourist train pulled by a steam locomotive that has been used in dozens of . This hike is definitely a good one! We did the Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton Loop which was 36 miles. We brought along this Weminuche Wilderness National Geographic map. Strider1. The correct way to flag the train and let the conductor know youd like to board is by waving your hands across your knees. As we gained elevation, the Animas River became more and more impressive. After about an hour of rain, thunder and lightning, I gave up on the idea of a fire.