elk park train stop to needletonwhat aisle are prunes in at kroger
If youre doing the whole Elk Park to Needleton loop, take the Durango-Silverton diesel train north from Durango to Elk Park. But there would be no sleeping in tomorrow morning though, because we were off to the Great Sand Dunes National Park! Oh well. Eventually, I was able to scare them off pretty good by simply throwing my arms up in the air. It was incredible to see the clouds taking over the area! 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. 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 four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. Once on the other side, the path down to Eldorado lake was pretty clear. Every campground, hotel, and intersection we passed, there were people waving at the train. They really wanted to be right there, and werent taking no for an answer. I proceeded downhill now alongside the edge of this. This seemed pretty pointless though, because we just stood around until about 7:50. Awesome views all around, but it was still cold and precipitating out and thus my camera stayed under my rain jacket. . Awesome, thanks! The weather started clearing up after about mile 4. Coming down Columbine Pass into Chicago Basin? 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. Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road. View Profile 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. 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. Tips for Camping With Your Kids in Durango, Colorado. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Have a good hike! I highly recommend it. As the sun went down, the goats headed back up the mountainside for the evening. I was very surprised that there were no seats available, the train was pretty packed. Very useful. When we stopped for lunch, two deer wandered into our resting area. Check out this 17.3-mile out-and-back trail near Durango, Colorado. The top of Hunchback Pass offered no views, as the visibility was around 200 feet. . Completed this loop early July 2021. There was goat hair all around the campsite, but we had yet to see one. I climbed up the highest hill along the edge which was roughly 12,700ft, which provided awesome views of Eldorado and everything else around. After about an hour of rain, thunder and lightning, I gave up on the idea of a fire. I ended up spending an hour and a half up here just hanging out. Route Eldorado Lake to Vallecito Creek Bridge. We had about 7 miles of downhill hiking to the train, which arrives at 3:30, and thus were not in a hurry. The amazing view from Hunchback Pass clouds. This will be especially helpful during creek crossings and on downhill areas with loose pebbles. Soon enough, wed be overtaken by the unavoidable fog. Be prepared for a lot of bugs and rain. The train showed up about 5-10 minutes late, but was a welcome sight nonetheless. Would that be too early in the season? Everything was wet, including my feet. Its too bad that we had already eaten dinner before starting this fire, because we still had hot dogs that we could have cooked tonight. I chose my path through the first boulder field above the lake and started moving. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 9 min to complete. 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. Start your next Durango outdoor adventure from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Expect to pay for the train tickets, a baggage fee (for your backpack, which goes in the boxcar train), and an overnight parking fee. Not long after, we watched the same goats cross the creek and head towards our general area. I packed a peanut butter sandwich, some jerky, and a Metrx bar to eat later, as well as 2 liters of water. Passing through a colorful meadow on the morning of day 2, Nearing the treeline, the views start improving. Caltopo is pretty awesome if you havent used it already. 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). There was a very brief moment of sunlight right as we crossed Red Rock Creek, which was nice to have at this moment. Miles Hiked 5.4 Besides that, she was very happy to have a day off to rest. Never miss a new post! The ones that did look edible werent ripe yet. Recommended Posts. This was true for much of the trip. Enjoy the hike, its a good one! Go to the print button at the top and choose print to pdf. Excellent views all around. I learned this the hard way when hiking around Snowmass Lake last year. We camped at ~9300 ft. Miles Hiked 10.4 This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Coming down from hunchback pass we had to climb over or around several (and I mean several) trees that were across the path. It has a mesh frame that holds the weight of the pack slightly off your back. 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. Seeing the fog rise from the mountains and engulf the peaks around us was incredible. Finally, it was time to start this hike. Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). Yes, either hiking boots or hiking shoes are a very good idea on these trails. Save on outdoor activities, tours & rentals. A hiking boot is preferable. There were also a lot of flowers alongside the trail, and there were tons of butterflies on them. Very good tip report. We use the Therm-a-Rest Vela Double 20 quilt. Columbine Pass The crowning jewel on our recent vacation to Colorado was an epic backpacking trip. Dogs are welcome and may be off-lead in some areas. Heres an overview map of the Weminuche Wilderness, which includes trailhead locations. Shortly after, we saw the skull with spine still connected of some type of antlered animal alongside the trail. I'm a traveler who loves to eat. We stopped to eat lunch on a talus slope and observed many pikas, no marmots yet though. Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. From a distance, I could see faint lines on the hillside that were definitely the switchbacks. Since we paid for parking at the railroad, we drove back there and parked while we set out on foot once gain. Also, if youre looking for a GPX file, you can download that here http://metalbackpacker.com/gpx-files/. 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. I figured the total mileage for today would be about 14 miles, but everything after mile 4 or so would be downhill. My husband had an offline map downloaded in his Google Maps app, although we found it to be unreliable in the Vallecito Creek area. Any way to access this trail without riding the train? I found a semi dry spot under a pine tree to hang out during the rain while Lisa took cover in the tent. Going down always looks much harder! We only had to wait 30 minutes before suiting up. Lisa was quite scared here, and it took a lot of coaxing to get her to move. El mejor momento para visitar esta . 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." There were cairns here and there marking the way as well, which could be seen since the Twin Lakes. 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. Literally just yards below the top of the pass, on the Chicago Basin side, the trail gets extremely steep and pretty sketchy. 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. Share Followers 0. The benefit is being able to skip the train and park at the Lime Mesa TH. Now through this little plateau area, the trail starts heaving down pretty quick. Youre hiking at high elevation in a very sunny spot, so protecting your eyes is important. Plenty water sources, every day at least 2. We didn't. Windward_Coug. Subscribe to receive an emial notification when new content is added, Sawtooth Mountains Idaho Landscape Photography Canvas Prints, Seeking Lost Logo Shirt - Unisex Softstyle T-Shirt, Basin and Range Trail Planning Kit: Guidebook, GPX, Maps, Waypoints, Water Chart, Vanadinite Mineral Specimen (North Geronimo Mine, AZ), Wulfenite on Fluorite Mineral Specimen (Red Cloud Mine, AZ). I forced myself to get out of the tent and go explore the area. Continental Divide Trail At the Divide, the trail connects with the Continental Divide Trail. No hot dogs tonight, maybe night 3. Mojave-Sonoran Trail (2021) Whitewater trips for more experienced adventurers. 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. What a place for a cabin! Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton is a 36 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Silverton, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Here, theres a good view of Vestal Peak. I dont like to sit in the tent if I dont have to. We had cinders in your hair most of the trip, they didnt seem to go away! Our most reliable digital map was from Garmin, within the Garmin Explore app on my phone. Or are there other routes you could r commend for some stream and lake fishing? 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. It was great to get some hot food in our stomachs before heading to our hotel in Pagosa Springs. Hiking through Vallecito Basin on our way up Columbine Pass. with an Osprey water bladder. On day one, between the Elk Park Train Drop Off Trail Head and Beaver Pond, we encountered 3 large debris fields. drops you off in the middle of the wilderness (no car access) and do a loop that is absolutely beautiful. After leaving Chicago Basin, the trail was actually kind of boring compared to the rest of our hike. Past that meadow, the trail begins to climb past the treeline. Oregon Desert Trail (2022) *Coming Soon We may earn a commission when you use one of our links to make a purchase. I am really loving the granola & almonds, its chocked full of complex carbs and good fats, perfect for hiking. The nature back there is unbelievable. Either way, it was going to be another short day with only about 6 miles to cover. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. The food issue didnt bother me much, I was mainly worried about the rodents chewing on our sweaty gear. Call the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at 1-888-872-4607 to book and make your reservation. It was quite a sight to see, unlike anything Ive ever witnessed before. There were no beavers. I took advantage of the weather and took a ton of pictures up here. After all, it was Saturday evening. We loaded our backpacks in the baggage car. I was mainly happy to dry out my boots. 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! Todays hike was all uphill, but it wasnt too strenuous. Im taking a group on essentially this same trip in a couple weeks, and your pictures and story are very inspiring. 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. Parking in Durango is $8 per day for cars and $10 per day for RVs. Once we reached a flat area around 11,650, there were a good amount of campsites scattered about. After a nice relaxing break, we hit the trail again. Your email address will not be published. We were exhausted by the time we reached the shack and decided to camp there for the night. I would have taken more pictures, but I didnt want my camera to get wet. Will b taking my 19 yr old son in early August this year for his first extended back country pack trip. Depending on where you plan to board the train, plan ahead and determine which parking option meets your needs best. San Juan National Forest. This particular mine only ran about 30ft or so, and was not that interesting. When taking a train leaving from Durango, you need to be in your seat 30 minutes before departure. There are a lot of down trees and we had rain and some route finding to cross streams. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. We stayed up a little later tonight due to the fire, and ended up going to bed around 11pm. One option for a multi-day trip is from the Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton. But we opted to take the train! We reached the drop off at Elk Park (about . 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 put my poles away now as I found it necessary to use my hands a little here and there going up some of the boulders. It was cloudy and grey though, so pictures werent coming out good. They ran downhill and out of sight, and I kept moving. I like having dry gear! Heres what we learned while preparing for the Elk Park to Needleton hike, plus a few things I wish Id known ahead of time! Straddling sections of the infamous Continental . Lots of people in the Chicago Basin, no one in the Johnson creek or Vallecito creek area. 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. Here, there were several more mountain goats hanging out on the rocks by a small pool of water. 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. I was rewarded with an amazing view of the Weminuche Wilderness, unobstructed by clouds for the first time all week. In the morning, I headed down to the railroad, and caught the train to Silverton, then rode back to Durango. The train moves very slow, around 18 MPH max speed. To reach this trail on foot, some hikers make a longer loop from the Molas Trail (about four miles). 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. I hope your backpacking trip is just as epic as ours was. Lower elevations and farther south, definitely no snow and the spring melt off is going to be done by then. Once on board, you'll be able to ride back to Durango or Silverton to finish your adventure. If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. The trail follows the 44 road past the lake, and then winds towards the trail leading up to Hunchback Pass. This was comical, yet useful information at the same time. The hiker who told me about the mice up here had camped here last night. 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. I do regret getting the open-cart seats though, because it was raining and it was not dry inside. We also brought along these touch-screen activewear gloves, Buffs to help protect us from sun (or keep our ears warm), silk thermals for a base layer, and a balaclava to keep warm at night. West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. Im interesting in making this same trip this year, and was wondering if you knew when the optimal season is? After setting up camp, I decided to go down to the creek to purify some water. Creating new thru-hiking routes & guides, hiking videos, outdoor documentaries, backpacking trip reports, trail journals, photos and more! There is no road access to either the Elk Park or Needleton trail access points. The rocks were still icy and required some careful footwork in some spots to negotiate. Sure enough, they appeared at the top of the trail heading down to our camp from the main trail. Also, bring a way to filter water. Next I found myself on the saddle below the approach to Windom Peak. Yes there is. The train ride out of Durango and through the Rockwood Cut was quite enjoyable. This was $90 each person for a round trip ticket, plus $10 to each to haul your backpack. My breakfast today was a very hearty helping of granola and almonds (about 800 calories worth), and some dried strawberries.
