An official website of the Local: 970.325.4925 Im assuming forest service will clear this soon. The best option for flying to the area is to fly into Durango La Plata County Airport. Featuring a lengthy overall distance, rugged terrain, and plenty of elevation gain, the Chicago Basin Hike is a challenging adventure that will require experience and a good degree of planning. We made the decision to cut our trek short. Please refer to the Short Stop Table (to be added) to determine which train will be stopping at your desired flag stop on the date you will be boarding. As a visitor, you must be able to exist with what you can take in (and out) and rely on your own outdoor skills. You will need to pay for each day your vehicle will be in the lot. Eolus, Windom Peak, and Sunlight Peak Routes. I was feeling brave so I decided to go with the 4:30 am start, figuring that if I was running late I could run the downhill from Chicago Basin to Needleton. Essential for all of our programs. You need at minimum either a soft shell jacket or hard shell jacket for local Ouray based winter courses and programs. DURANGO: Long term parking in Durango is available in our large lot adjacent to the train yards. Although I can't say much about the route we took, I can definitely say this is not for the faint of heart. Hiked from elk park to needleton 7/1/2022-7/4/2022. From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin. Don't forget the 14ers.com mobile app. When departing from Durango, you must be in your assigned seat at least one half hour before train departure! A cap of 15 people per party exists with a total cap of 9 parties per day at Needleton. Did this in and back turning around a waterfall. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. All rights reserved. There is no southbound wilderness drop offs for Needleton. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 9 min to complete. Fog and trees seen from Chicago Basin. The day after that we hiked out. Unoccupied seats will be sold as a no-show. The Weminuche Wilderness area offers a variety of outdoor activities for adventurers of all ages and abilities, from multi day backpacking excursions to day trips on horseback or peaceful mornings with the fly rod. SPF 30 would be our minimum recommendation. This popular trail leads to beautiful, high subalpine lakes nestled meadows blanketed with wildflowers in late summer with sweeping views of the majestic Grenadier Range. I live at sea level and definitely wished I did more training for altitude because it was rough. However, a good pair of trekking poles is a worthy piece of gear to have with you for long approaches or treks through the mountains. This 850+ down fill sleeping bag has a 64" shoulder girth and 39" foot girth. 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). The three tallest 14,059 foot Sunlight Peak, 14,084 foot Mount Eolus and 14,087 foot Windom Peak are the most popular climbs, but there are many other peaks offering mountaineering challenges and scenic wonder. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Coal Bank Pass to Engineer Mountain Summit Hike. Whether you want to be involved in a long term effort like our volunteer program, join for a single-day campsite clean up or donate to SJMAs Weminuche Wilderness Stewardship Fund. Trees seen from campsite. We utilize the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNGRR) to access the wilderness area. I have done this one twice!! We had a lot of rain, starting everyday around 1 pm and lasting for a couple of hours. See also That and all the rocks you have to rock climb so put away those hiking sticks when you get past Twin Lakes. We walked 44 miles vs the 36 listed in the app. This is the general newsletter signup form. Super fun peaks! Select a pair that fits well, is warm, and is comfortable. Continue another 2.5 miles to reach the junction with the Animas River and the Animas River Trail. Stable construction and 2.5-inch thickness offer greater comfort for a full night of sleep, so you won't feel the uneven, rough terrain beneath you. Click here for more information on parking. There were at least 5 if not 6 avalanche debris fields on the Elk creek trail. United States. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Please remember, Colorado weather can change in an instant, so always be prepared for heat or cold, rain or snow! The most popular hike is to the Chicago Basin. Trail conditions often change rapidly; please be well prepared! The Colorado Trail follows a section of the Continental Divide Trail before following Elk Creek to Molas Trails. Debris form 2020 avalanches on the elk park section have been cleared but theres quite a bit of fallen trees blocking the needle creek trail out of the Chicago Basin. Needleton is now a flag stop on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. In order to successfully carry a 35 lb. Want to report conditions for this trail? Bookings must be made by phone. Great trail and great mountains. Chicago Basin is easily spotted as it's where the trees clear out and you're met with a grassy meadow with patches of trees to camp under. We like the Spatha knife for its size, weight, versatility, and ability to clip onto a harness. For information regarding trail conditions, to acquire a trail map, or to purchase back country insurance (highly recommended), contact the U.S. Forest Service at 970-247-4874. Met amazing people and followed the creek for photography shots. some lite scrambling is neccessary. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. And the continuous mountain/valley views are second to none! We arrived at about 11am on July 30th, 2019 at Needleton. Here, you will continue along the trail as it passes through the forest for 1.5 km, meeting up with the banks of Needle Creek, before arriving at a junction in the trail. Unless you have a current Season Pass there is a freight charge per backpack ($15). Buy a ticket for the train that stops at Needleton and ride the train 2.5 hours (~30 miles) to the Needleton stop. There were 12 students and 2 teachers, with student experience ranging from basically nothing to climbing at the local indoor climbing gym, to small excursions to places like Devil's Lake (in WI). The two main access locations are atNeedleton, the entrance to Chicago Basin; andElk Park, access point to the Colorado Trail. Recent avalanche activity over the winter/spring created several debris fields that required us to do some significant trailblazing. From either vantage point, a commanding panorama of the Needle Creek drainage is possible. I scrambled my way up without too much trouble, only to later see a trail leading up a rocky slope that bypasses the rock scrambling. Be prepared to spend on average 5 days to complete the loop, and make the proper arrangements. The elevation is what makes this so hard. There was a new amazing view after every turn. If you are planning a trip to the Chicago Basin area during this time, you will have to share your wilderness experience with quite a few other people. From Durango:Reservations should be made in advancethrough the Durango ticket office. Highlights were kite lake, columbine pass, and Chicago basin. 7/19 Bonus Hiking Trail: Chicago Basin/Twin Lakes Trail Camp Elevation: 11,000 ft. Junction Elevation: 11,204 ft. Elevation Total: 204 ft. Mileage Total: 1.9 miles TRIP REPORT: Durango-Silverton Train to Needleton (7/19) Start Time: 9:15am End time . The card will allow reimbursement to county sheriffs for costs incurred on a mission. This hike covers 34 miles and involves more than 8,000 feet of climbing. (Sorry not an actual review, looking for advice) @Chris Bracken / or anyone else who has recently hiked Chicago Basin - are crampons recommended in order to summit even 1 of the 14ers? Head out on this 17.4-mile out-and-back trail near Silverton, Colorado. There are many itinerary options available for this trip so get in touch with our Office Staff to determine what might work best for you and your group! https://youtu.be/2iDmEsqbobA. Cardiovascular activities such as running, swimming, and cycling are great to build heart and lung endurance. Lots of people in the Chicago Basin, no one in the Johnson creek or Vallecito creek area. We did North Eolus instead, which had more of those large granite boulders that took us to the top. Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). Check trailhead signs or Forest Service Offices for site-specific camping, campfire, and livestock regulations. This will lead to the trail to Chicago Basin and the beginning of the climb. The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. Planned on doing South Peak as well but conditions were too snowy/icy for me. Great backpacking experience!! This took us 2 hours (7:45am - 9:40am), stopping for pictures and water. Want to learn more about our current projects, ways to stay involved and news from the San Juan Mountains Association? SILVERTON DEPARTURES:You will be booked on one of the afternoon trips out of Silverton and arrive at Elk Park flag stop about 30 minutes after leaving Silverton. Gain access to the San Juan National Forest and the Weminuche Wilderness for backpacking, day hikes, rafting, and fishing trips via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad during the summer season. A secondary route climbs steeply to Twin Lakes. Waterproof, breathable and lightweight, the GORE-TEX Foray Pants provide dependable rain protection and shrug off the wear-and-tear of the trail and cityscape alike. Was back at twin lakes by 930am and decided to just summit Sunlight and Windom as long as the clouds held up. Next morning at 7:30am I pushed up to Twin Lakes and then up to North Peak of Mt Eolus. The card is not insurance. An excellent investment for all of our programs. The trail is easy to follow but quite steep, ascending 3,000 feet before reaching the basin.Johnson Creek Trail:Beyond the basin, the main trail climbs another 1,400 feet over two miles to Columbine Pass where it meets up with the Johnson Creek Trail, which drops into the Vallecito Creek drainage. Aside from its splendid hiking terrain, Chicago Basin also serves as a base camp for mountain climbers intent on scaling summits. From there, the Elk Creek Trail heads 9 miles though the Weminuche to a junction with the Continental Divide trail, past iconic peaks of the Grenadier Range including Arrow, Vestal, and the Trinity Peaks. It's near McDonald's and has a large parking area nearby. Just north of the flag stop is one of the last of two remaining wooden water tanks on the Durango and Silverton. Wilderness Access is only available during our summer season which runs May-October. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! You'll eventually come to a rock wall composed of large, stable, granite boulders. Backpackers and hunters may arrange for firearms to be transported as freight. Our Outside Magazine and Mens Journal Gear of the Year award-winning storm shell is engineered for fast-and-light alpine climbs and all-day backcountry tours. This is great, loved it! Too many people and not enough camp spots. pack up to 7 miles a day, endurance is key. Gorgeous backpacking trail. The fourth day we hiked from Chicago basin to the needleton train stop, which was an easy ~7 miles downhill. If you are making multiple payments, a group leader can book a reservation that other members of the party will call to add with their reservation number. Colorado residents and visitors are well served by dedicated volunteer search and rescue teams, but mission costs are often in the thousands of dollars. The Needle Creek trail begins on the edge of the Weminuche Wilderness and ascends a narrow mountain valley along the banks of its eponymous creek, all the way to Chicago Basin. Every mountain we encountered was amazing! Needle Creek to Chicago Basin: Accessed from the Needleton Train Stop or the Animas River Trail, this well-maintained trail climbs steadily up Needle Creek for approximately 5 miles to Chicago Basin. Distance - 21 - 38 miles round trip (33.80 - 61.26 km) Elevation gain - 8,913 - 12,329 feet (2,716.68 - 3,757.88 m) Duration - 15 to 25 hours (book time) Hike Class: Class 3. Our new hooded version of the Filament has the same design as the popular hood-less version and a DWR-treated shell of ultralight 10D Pertex Quantum GL keeps moisture away from premium 800-fill down inside. pack it in, pack it out. If symptoms persist, seek medical aid. Needle Creek Trail #504 to Chicago Basin, CO Hike Private Messages X Notifications X Replies X Home Home FAQ Contribute Shop Find TrailDEX Filter Areas A to Z Easy Hikes in Season Dog Hikes in Season Plan MapRoute Editor Route CloudRoute Scout Foliage DEX Wildflower DEX Add Publish a Guide The trail from Chicago basin was beautiful and full of goats every turn. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. Buy a ticket for the train that stops at Needleton and ride the train 2.5 hours (~30 miles) to the Needleton stop. The trip from Durango to the Needleton stop is about 2.5 hours (the train is very slow). Stuff sacks are a great way to organize your gear in your pack and help to keep things tidy in a variety of ways. Definitely recommend to bring waterproofs shoes and pants to be comfortable. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. On day one, between the Elk Park Train Drop Off Trail Head and Beaver Pond, we encountered 3 large debris fields. All told, it took us 5 hours (one-way). Amazing hike and rough terrain. Coffee is the lifeblood of champions. Most of the avalanche debris on Elk Creek/CT has now been cleared, and what is left is fairly easy to navigate. Choosing the right base layer really makes a difference in comfort, moisture-wicking, and the balance between cool and warm at the right time and in the right places. To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. Needleton train stop: Ride in on the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. When the sun shines brightly on fresh snow in the mountains your eyes will thank you for a quality pair of shades. Box 2261 (mailing) 15 Burnett Court (physical) Durango, CO 81302 970.385.1210 info@sjma.org, 2018 - All Rights Reserved - San Juan Mountains Association | Web Design by Sweet P Web Development, The Continental Divide Trail traverses more than 3,000 miles from New Mexico to Canada, with more than 80 miles within the Weminuche Wilderness. Authorized Concessionaire in Rocky Mountain National Park. Similar to the base layer top. on official, secure websites. Ran I to some bad weather that chased us out on the 2nd day but we saw a few moose on this trail. A relic of the mining trade of the 1880s 1930s, the train is world famous as it is one of the few narrow gauge railroads left in existence. Feel free to text me at 616-443-9183. This is a few blocks away from where you board the train. There are a lot of trees down throughout the Johnson Creek and Needle Creek drainages - another hiker counted 155 trees across the trail on the way down from Chicago Basin to Needleton, but it looks like the FS is working their way up, clearing from the bottom up. Explore this 60.4-km point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. Bezoekers van Chicago Basin meestal een rit op de trein van Durango of Silverton, uitstappen bij Needleton, en wandel ongeveer 6 mijl op Needle Creek naar het bassin zelf. The darker the better. Hiking from Twin Lakes to the summit of North Eolus took 2 hours, 45 minutes. Additional information websites:Weminuche Wilderness Trip Planning Information:http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/sanjuan/wilderness. I realized after spending 30 years in the San Juans, I havent put a dent in the terrain Guiding and instruction with an AMGA Certified/Trained Guide, Group camping and cooking equipment (tents, stoves, etc. is_redirect && ! Lots of flowers, waterfalls, and views. Lip balm is important to bring on all trips. 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. I highly recommend it. You then pass over the continental divide twice and the train picks you back up. The correct method is bywaving your hands horizontally across your knees. All freight itemsmust be properly tagged with ownership and destination. This 19-mile trail parallels the beautiful Vallecito Creek through the heart of the Weminuche Wilderness. All in all beautiful scenery and a great hike. 15 Burnett Court Don't be afraid of Mr. T. A good pair of wrap around sunglasses are an essential item for all of our trips. Situated in the Needle sub-range of the Rocky Mountains, at 4,287 m, Sunlight Peak is one of three fourteeners in the area alongside Windom Peak and Mount Eolus. , this is the most popular backpacking loop in the Weminuche. Manage Settings If symptoms persist, seek medical aid. The 8:15am Silverton Diesel excursion will service all short stops for wilderness access through August 13. Exposure on both sides but beautiful weather. Recreational livestock are prohibited from being restrained within 100 (35 adult steps) of water. Some route finding on the way to the top to Eolus. Elevations range from 8,000 feet at trailheads to over 14,000 at the peaks. As it typically goes in Colorado, just as you think you are accomplishing something big, a trail runner comes in from Purgatory trail that morning and does all four WHILE finding the energy to run back 16 miles. Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk: Drive to Durango and follow signs to the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Same spirit, same guts, and same award-winning hybrid-mapped design of the Cathode Hooded Jacket, minus the sleeves and hood. The Highland Mary Lakes are rated fair for rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout, but keep in mind, like most subalpine lakes, tend to remain frozen until summer. You will have to do some hand-over-hand rock scrambling on these boulders, however you're not in danger of falling off a cliff and there's plenty of choices/routes to take to make it easier for you. The Radar Pocket cap is packable, durable, and looks great! The only southbound option for wilderness access will be Elk Park. is a place where the imprint of humans is substantially unnoticeable, where natural processes are the primary influencers and human activity is limited to primitive recreation and minimum tools. We were exhausted by the time we reached the shack and decided to camp there for the night. We took the train on a Thursday to Needleton, backpacked up too Chicago Basin that night, and allowed for climbing peaks on Friday and Saturday. Parties must book together. Heading to a 14er soon? Click here to find out more about the Backpacker Special CALL FOR RESERVATIONS! A trip to Chicago Basin provides the opportunity to climb three of Colorados 14ers Mt. From here, it's a 6 mile hike to reach Chicago Basin. Serious Tallis and scree if youre between groups - missed the morning rush window and caught 6 people on their way down. Waterfall seen on hike to Chicago Basin. Hike your own pace and keep pushing yourselves :). Regardless of which mountain you're hiking (Sunlight, Windom, Eolus, or North Eolus), you'll first have to hike to Twin Lakes by taking the trail to the end of Chicago Basin and then up one of its sides. Super exciting squeezing through the rocks like a spider goat and once again had the summit all to myself by 11am! Some of these areas can be accessed via a narrow gauge train that runs between Durango and Silverton. Chicago Basin comprises the upper portion of the Needle Creek watershed in the Needle Mountains (Colorado), . Buy tickets in advance! Choose your footing wisely here as rocks will shift and fall away. The delightful mountain towns of Durango, Silverton, Pagosa Springs, South Fork and Creede surround and provide access into the wilderness. Setting out from the trailhead at the Needleton Flagstop, you will cross the bridge over the Animas River and follow the trail as it bends to the southwest. Remember, wilderness areas prohibit mountain bikes as well as motorized vehicles. All livestock feed must be certified weed free. Excellent 3-day trip!! These special areas require the visitor to be mentally and physically prepared to take nature on its own terms and to be able to travel without mechanical transport. Founded in 1988, the San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA), promotes the exploration and protection of public lands in Southwest Colorado through stewardship and conservation education for people of all ages. Near 11,200', turn left . Wilderness is a place where the imprint of humans is substantially unnoticeable, where natural processes are the primary influencers and human activity is limited to primitive recreation and minimum tools. A good mixture of cardiovascular fitness, muscular fitness, and especially core strength will help you to maximize the potential rewards that are possible on a great climbing trip. Taking day hikes with your loaded backpack at a local park will help train your legs for the mileage you will do in the mountains. We estimated ~100 trees that we had to go over, under, or around - felt like a tough mudder. Vallecito Creek is challenging to ford, and is especially dangerous during the spring runoff (mid May through Mid June) but also prepare for afternoon thunderstorms throughout the summer. Absolutely incredible! Found it really hard to find camping and the usfs map of the basin didnt seem to match closures of where you can camp. From Columbine Pass it is nine miles down to the Needleton trailhead and civilization. For more in depth information, check out the. We rode the train from Silverton to the trailhead. Easily found the climbers route up, as well as the normal route going down. Several hundred miles of hiking trails provide endless options for multi-day backpacking trips that promise high mountain passes, beautiful, flower-filled basins and views as far as the eye can see. Very isolated in the middle of the trail, we only saw 1 other person each day. What a trip! So I said goodbye to James, who would pack up the tent and sleeping bags and meet me down in Needleton to catch the train. Please inform a reservation agent at time of booking as to the number of backpacks in your party. Along the way well have the opportunity to climb a 14er (Windom Peak), see wild mountain goats, hike on unbelievably well maintained trails, both above and below treeline, and see some of Colorados most beautiful wildflowers. This is the hand-over-hand section that leads you to the saddle between the two peaks. We just finished this trail. The turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). This is the "fourth bridge" of vallecito creek, north of the vallecito campground/Trailhead. Passengers are not permitted to carry firearms on the train. These are wear all the time in all conditions base layer pants. This area was covered in snow when we went in late June, but honestly I think the snow made it easier to ascend. Backpackers with plenty of time on their hands might hike the Divide Trail north to either Stony Pass or the Highland Mary Lakes area.Vallecito Creek Trail:Heading south, the route leads to Hunchback Pass and from here to the upper end of the Vallecito Creek Trail. There are many added benefits to trekking poles. Photo @brooklynwarren An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The turnoff to Emerald Lake is at mile 6.3 (Trail #528). West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. Here, Colorado backpacking is at its best but also increasingly more crowded. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Located in the heart of the Needle Mountainsdeep in the Weminuche Wildernesslies. Due to the popularity of the Weminuche Wilderness, it is important to choose your camp wisely. The three tallest 14,059 foot Sunlight Peak, 14,084 foot Mount Eolus and 14,087 foot Windom Peak are the most popular climbs, but there are many other peaks offering mountaineering challenges and scenic wonder. for areas you plan to visit (Chicago Basin, Emerald Lake, Vestal Basin, etc). Hiked to base camp - lots of sites but it can be crowded for a reason. The catwalk is obvious trailwise, a little intimidating but shouldn't be something you stop you in your tracks, just take your time. As you visit, you will join thousands of others who travel in the Weminuche each year. This was the last day for me in the Colorado alpine. This is a very popular area for camping, fishing, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. be aware of your place, take what you need! Online booking is not available at this time. With an average elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level, the Weminuche is known for its challenging, rugged terrain from the deep Animas River Gorge to the wildflower-filled basins to towering peaks. The nature back there is unbelievable. Our trek group of 6 - ages ranging from 17 to 64 years. This part of the trip follows Needle Creek the whole way, albeit reaching the creek is not easy (or advisable) since the trail is often much higher than the creek and there is foliage and steep drop-offs if straying off-trail. The soft yarn blend will provide a cozy sanctuary throughout winters chill. Beautiful but a tough hike 2 spots over 13k so many wildflowers and mountain goats! Had never seen so many mountains (we're from OK). Our 3 day 2 night Chicago Basin Backpacking/Trekking trip is an excellent introduction to wilderness trekking, and a great way to see the incomparable Chicago Basin in a relatively short period of time. Originating at the former mining camp of Needleton, Needle Creek Trail climbs along an old stage road that follows its namesake seven miles into Chicago Basin. Know what fire restrictions are in effect for San Juan and/or the Rio Grande National Forest. I started at 630am and made my first summit to Mt Eolus at 8am, which was all to myself! Camping Day 1 Chicago Basin, Day 2 Vallecito Creek bridge, Day 3 Rock Creek trail junction, Day 4 Eldorado Lake where I'm meeting some Colorado Trail thru hiking friends to hike with, Day 5 Elk Park and hiking out to Molas Pass on day 6. Donations to this fund go directly to educate wilderness visitors and implement on-the-ground stewardship projects in the Weminuche. Had to climb over a hundred trees, no joke. Chicago Basin area was very pretty, and not too crowded with tents. The trainride from Durango to Needleton is approximately 2.5 hours. Operating under special use permit in the San Juan National Forest and the Grand Mesa/Uncompahgre National Forest Denali National Park Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Silverton BLM Moab BLM. Again, we did North Eolus, which is the same trail as Mount Eolus (until you reach the saddle). As more and more Americans head to the backcountry, the fragile high-alpine environments of the Weminuche face numerous threats. The bridge at Vallecito Creek, near Johnson Creek, is still good. Parking is $10.00 per day for passenger cars and $15.00 per day for RVs. During its peak period of use (July 4th through Labor Day), Chicago Basin is crowded by wilderness standards, and campsites can be hard to find. We ended up finishing around 5pm on the 5th day, so instead of waiting around for the return train to Durango on day 6, we took the train to Silverton for lunch, then rode the whole return trip to Durango. The Chicago Basin Hike is a challenging, but non-technical, adventure in the San Juan Mountains that will take you uphill for stunning views of the alpine terrain. For trekking trips in Colorados Weminuche Wildernessyou should be ready for: Durango is located in the SW corner of Colorado, at the intersection of the sandstone towers of the desert, and the jagged, San Juan Mountains. Durango Silverton Train. Our total distance was about 42 miles. This was our third trek on this trail. This hike is definitely a good one! Click here for more information on parking.SILVERTON:You are invited to park your vehicle at our Silverton Depot on 10th& Cement Streets at no charge. 710 Main Street Summited at 10:30am. I was a little nervous after getting dropped off at the trail via train and watching it ride away! There are some exceptions to this, so if you're low on water (and have a water filter), get water while the creek is accessible. Insulating water bottle parkas are recommended in the winter months, for ice climbing or cold weather alpine trips. An ultra-compressible piece youll never leave behind, its so light and packs down so small youll forget its clipped to your harness until you throw it on to ward off a sudden mid-route downpour. epic views, love the goats, we even took a bath in the creek - it was freezing! Many hotels offer a free shuttle pickup. This will be the easiest part of the hike and where you'll see the most marmots and mountain goats (they get quite close to you but aren't aggressive at all). By following this drainage downstream for 8.5 miles, it is possible to hike up Johnson Creek for a little over five miles to Columbine Pass. A must have for alpine and ice climbing trips and objectives. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 9 min to complete. As always, being in excellent physical shape is an important component of our our programs. Unless you have a current Season Pass OR originate in Silverton, there will be a freight charge per backpack.