View Full Version : TR: Elk Park/Needleton Loop with extras
Hey guys; I saw some discussion and request for pics/details of this loop in another thread from earlier in the year, and thought I'd put up pics from my recent trip(Sept. 17-23) .
Pretty safe to assume the storms I had on days 4-6 were atypical, as they were the result of moisture getting pushed through the area from Hurricane Odile.
At one point the forecast called for rain 7 days of 7, and had me trying to reschedule, so I guess I actually lucked out!
Elk Park to Needleton Loop, plus side trips including:
-Vestal Basin
-Highland Mary Lakes and Verde Lake
-Rock Creek Trail to Rock Lake(cut a bit short by weather)
-some wandering due to reality and the National Geographic map's version of it being two separate things
The trip begins with a shuttle to Elk Park via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad's 1920s vintage steam engine.
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/1298/cHw5tl.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img901/8661/pkmQSl.jpg
It begins.
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/7594/Lsxv7l.jpg
Looking ahead on the Elk Creek Trail.
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/6610/1hfWSJ.jpg
The "Beaver Ponds" at mile 3.2.
http://imageshack.com/a/img909/6959/bHOYMR.jpg
Looking up toward Vestal Basin, my first side trip on the loop.
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/7724/azJGFI.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img540/308/DCbFv6.jpg
Lower Vestal Basin.
http://imageshack.com/a/img633/2471/c92aIh.jpg
Looking out from the middle of Vestal Basin.
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/8950/C7lVri.jpg
I head back down to the Beaver Ponds and beyond to the next water and make camp for the night.
http://imageshack.com/a/img742/3576/LlHNA3.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img903/9965/jQYUaM.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img742/261/mYnFbO.jpg
Misty mountain meadow.
http://imageshack.com/a/img901/1521/JXMHDE.jpg
Continuing on the Elk Creek Trail.
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/6125/ecMPf9.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img909/3733/1WyKK9.jpg
Looking back.
http://imageshack.com/a/img905/9306/yFrq5z.jpg
Approaching the switchbacks up to the CT and the Continental Divide.
http://imageshack.com/a/img633/425/SccNML.jpg
From the CT, which shortly joins the CDT.
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/741/bszV0h.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img540/8967/c6sAGp.jpg
On the way to my second extra destination, Highland Mary Lakes.
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/9280/Wpugci.jpg
Cover up or get fried!
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/8471/mYcneV.jpg
Approaching Highland Mary Lakes.
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/557/nhSmUh.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img743/5645/McyHOo.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img904/8779/IyxzZ5.jpg
Camp, night 2. Quite a temperature differential here. It was 80F when I made camp, and 29F in the morning.
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/9237/Y7PcWH.jpg
From touring the lakes in the morning of day 3.
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/7111/WYaL6q.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img745/6778/PyiokE.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/6021/gELUIF.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img909/2351/j2vnK8.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/517/wLp1Sc.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img908/2725/HRMlpc.jpg
Back on the CT/CDT to get back to the loop.
http://imageshack.com/a/img911/9656/oSMVa2.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/3185/AoxzQu.jpg
CT toward Hunchback Pass. I camped below Kite Lake on night 3, and went over HB pass in the morning. Some brief rain and hail in the evening, but otherwise the weather was forgiving.
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/9457/zZFvJk.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img674/1337/HviGPz.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img746/5604/OP6FiW.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/9779/Gq4ez6.jpg
Vallecito Creek Trail, just past Hunchback Pass.
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/3117/ah1N5c.jpg
Quick detour up toward Nebo Pass for a snack break with a good view.
http://imageshack.com/a/img540/9858/b7kK2y.jpg
The Vallecito starts feeling more familiar to this Southerner, with woods interspersed with drainages and waterfalls.
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/7753/NOs637.jpg
The only real problem I had with the elevation, besides headaches the first couple of days, was going uphill. I was VERY slow.
Due to that, I nixed my night at Sunlight Lake in favor of heading up the Rock Creek Trail, which is a much gentler climb.
http://imageshack.com/a/img674/358/pSpXaT.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/7782/ROwbEN.jpg
I didn't regret it, either. The views were fantastic.
http://imageshack.com/a/img909/395/V0zbMG.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/9629/Xd93rN.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/5344/Z2N8Sf.jpg
Just before the final climb up to Rock Lake, a cloud came over the cliffline right above me and started dumping rain and hail. I set up my tent on the spot and spent the next 14 hours practically inside a thunderstorm at ~11,500ft. My tent was saturated inside and out, so the rain hitting the outside had it "raining" inside, too. Very nice.
From camp, morning of day 5. I packed up all my wet gear, put on rainpants over grid fleece bottoms, and headed back down toward Vallecito Creek.
http://imageshack.com/a/img913/5209/lpEAZ4.jpg
Snow on the peaks I'd last seen engulfed in dark storm clouds.
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/3673/H7itf0.jpg
My water phobia and I felt triumphant after the first waist deep creek crossing, little knowing there were more to come, and that it would be worse the next day.
http://imageshack.com/a/img904/6793/Ei6Kqu.jpg
The sun came out for several hours, and everything was beautiful...
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/9959/9pftPx.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/2227/cSc5kv.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img905/5392/H1YOUG.jpg
The flooding continued, though, and the trail was sometimes ankle to shin deep, especially near drainages that flowed onto the path and followed it.
http://imageshack.com/a/img908/7941/7RXpYY.jpg
Some of the creek crossings were "less benign" than others.
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/7204/4Ic5bx.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/3524/67gRQl.jpg
I camped on the Johnson Creek Trail, and enjoyed about 3 hours of clear skies before it started raining again.
It rained all night.
http://imageshack.com/a/img913/9462/BnqDco.jpg
Camp, night 5. At least I had a chance to dry out my tent, pad, and quilt before starting the process over again.
http://imageshack.com/a/img904/4985/KN7Nyb.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img674/3141/0ovjta.jpg
Still raining in the morning.
http://imageshack.com/a/img905/8097/wZYRJJ.jpg
The creek crossings did not get better as a result...
http://imageshack.com/a/img903/6021/nEGpdF.jpg
I decided this was a bit much...
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/1868/lroTqZ.jpg
Bushwhacked upstream awhile 'til I found a tree to cross on, then put the creek to my back until I rejoined the trail.
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/8138/O5zn5m.jpg
Which was underwater a good bit of the way.
http://imageshack.com/a/img540/641/ingANT.jpg
The stuff I was having to cross was apparently drainage from Hazel and Columbine lakes combined with that coming from the surrounding area's flooding.
Thompson Creek itself was another matter!
I certainly wasn't crossing THAT:
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/8572/Dz5di8.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/4049/rB8EtK.jpg
Looking back toward the Johnson Creek gorge.
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4268/OoM6Hd.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/5685/sEmliz.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4553/2rBPWx.jpg
Looking up to Columbine Pass.
http://imageshack.com/a/img674/3817/UcSGya.jpg
And back down to Columbine Lake.
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/8906/JTxGvI.jpg
Looking toward Chicago Basin:
http://imageshack.com/a/img540/2927/wupBCU.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/9647/EB23vl.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/3659/xk7gSb.jpg
Into Chicago Basin.
http://imageshack.com/a/img911/1460/jbfGIC.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/9090/phCH83.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/9252/p7H4OV.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img904/2421/CemJeq.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/4346/vIWqGl.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img540/3047/qLnQz1.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img905/7595/xqb9mT.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img913/4096/GGLxma.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img674/6063/8Xz0PN.jpg
I did not camp in Chicago Basin, but continued on another mile or two.
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/1808/hbvk3J.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/3241/aGr90g.jpg
Night 6, and another camp full of wet gear...
http://imageshack.com/a/img911/4997/xgIAoC.jpg
In the morning, I headed down to the railroad, and caught the train to Silverton, then rode back to Durango.
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/3421/YpmDtP.jpg
The Animas River.
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/5500/FSR3Bm.jpg
Here comes my ride!
http://imageshack.com/a/img674/5295/O4GbcM.jpg
And away we go...
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/363/4Sm816.jpg
Thanks for sharing the adventure. Looks like a great trip and I like your shuttle service. Those were some hairy looking water crossings.
I love Fall in the Rockies. My personal favorite time to backpack. :)
Looks like you had some nice fall colors!
Thx for sharing!
Thanks, guys. Hope you enjoyed the pics. There were some challenging moments(one very scary creek crossing in particular), but it was a wonderful trip. Quite a change from hiking in the East, and the canyons in UT that I love to visit.
Drybones
10-08-2014, 21:00
I did that section a few years back, nice area.
I'm glad that I found your excellent trip report. An old (we're both OLD) friend and I are planning a similar trip this time next year.
It has been way too long since I hiked along Vallecito Creek. I am really looking forward to it. I will also get to add short sections of the CT & CDT to my To-Do list.
Wayne
San Juan Ron
09-22-2015, 09:54
September is the best month of the year for hiking! Great pics and commentary! Ron :)
Thanks, you two. What a coincidence to look at WB for the first time in quite a while(and exactly one year from when that trip ended, while sitting in the Fresno airport as this year's September trip to the Sierras also comes to a close), and have a day old reply to this TR!
I'm glad that I found your excellent trip report. An old (we're both OLD) friend and I are planning a similar trip this time next year...
Wayne
Wayne, I met a lady your age last week who was leading two other women on a backpacking trip. Ran into them again a few days ago, and carried out their trash, since they still had several days left.
They were all carrying heavier packs than me, and the youngest was in her late 50s, I suppose. It was her *first* time backpacking-12 days out in the mountains!
My one touristy purchase was a Yosemite NP t-shirt that says "We don't stop hiking because we get old, we get old because we stop hiking" on the back.
Thanks for the optimistic report on the Geezer Set. Grinning. I am constantly amazed by the grit, determination & tenacity of the "fairer sex."
As for pack weight, some of my stuff rivals any lightweight gear available today and is sturdier and more reliable. In recent days I have decided to resist buying any "new, improved and/or lighter" gear until what I have either wears out or fails to do the job required of it. My Xtherm Large and Exped Air Pillow, purchased last year, are the only pieces of gear that I have bought this century. Those items replaced a sleeping pad & pillow that were not doing a good job and were heavy. I may change my mind about newer, lighter weight gear next year up around 12,000 feet. :D :eek: :cool:
In the meantime, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
I'll have to look for a t-shirt like, or similar, to yours. They are probably in every N.P. gift shop.
Looking forward to your report of your recent trip.
Wayne
Paddlefoot
09-23-2015, 16:28
Your photos are great - bring back some memories from the portion on the CT.
If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me what kind of camera you use?
I'm looking for a new one.
Your photos are great - bring back some memories from the portion on the CT.
If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me what kind of camera you use?
I'm looking for a new one.
Paddlefoot,
Thank you! Those were all taken with a Nikon P310 point-and-shoot(7oz total) handheld in Aperture Priority mode. It's a discontinued model, and I'm on my third one(I tend to smash or drown a camera every year or two). I found the last two at clearance prices, and keep getting the same thing because it's familiar, "good enough", and I have 3 batteries that fit. I should mention that while I do pretty good at framing my shots, the light conditions and subject matter did most of the work here. The pics posted in this TR are better than what I typically get, and I probably deleted 2/3 or more of the ones I took.
For instance, from the trip I just came back from, this first one of 1000 Island Lake in the afternoon sun is what I'd normally call a "good" pic, and one of the best I got at this location...
http://imageshack.com/a/img540/7048/DdVRts.jpg
...while sometimes I get lucky with shots like this first thing in the morning from Garnet Lake where the sun is behind me, and all I do is press the button.
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/795/rkZrIq.jpg
What a lovely photo log of your trip! Thank you so much for sharing.
HeartFire
09-28-2015, 05:29
Oh this makes me want to go back there!
saltysack
10-05-2015, 12:48
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/05/45d7bcb0843d31c25f06218d025d68c8.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/05/d143a59a2684809c3effb919630e1ec5.jpg
Sure going to be tough to hike the AT after the beauty out west!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"Go west young man"
Works for me.
I'm glad you enjoyed the western mountains.
Wayne
Sent from somewhere around here.
Ansel Adams in the house.
I did the train loop with my youngest daughter back when she was in high school......your pics bring back memories...thanks!
Ansel Adams in the house.
In retrospect, I was more enamored of the bigger and wilder feeling of the Weminuche. One guy I met in the Sierras referred to them as being "user-friendly", which was certainly true, though it's a beautiful area, for sure. Gonna have to see how the Grand Tetons strike me next...
In retrospect, I was more enamored of the bigger and wilder feeling of the Weminuche. One guy I met in the Sierras referred to them as being "user-friendly", which was certainly true, though it's a beautiful area, for sure. Gonna have to see how the Grand Tetons strike me next...
Thanks. Now I am totally envious. You are planning the Teton Crest Trail, right? Have a beer for me at The Mangy Moose and The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
Have fun!
Wayne
Probably the Teton Crest plus some short stuff I was looking at just over the line in ID, but I haven't really looked at the logistics to see if that last part's going to be practical or convenient. Depends on whether I have a rental car and all, but I figure why miss a chance to hit another state I've never hiked in :)
I don't play fair. :eek: :cool:
The Teton Crest Trail or Bust!
http://backcountrypost.com/threads/tetons-indeed-doug-and-anita-tour-2015-part-1.5214/#post-61153
http://backcountrypost.com/threads/teton-crest-trail-doug-and-anita-tour-2015-part-2.5218/
http://backcountrypost.com/threads/teton-crest-trail-doug-and-anita-tour-2015-final-chapter.5219/
Have fun!
Wayne
Nice! The pic from the Winds at the beginning of part 1 reminded me that I had a TR of the "Wind River High Route" in my favorites.
I need to get some maps and look at the logistics of this incredible looking trip:
http://www.adventurealan.com/WRHR/index.htm
The video is a little painful to watch due to repeated footage of totally uncoordinated use of trekking poles(good grief, learn how to walk!) interrupting things, but the scenery is off the chain.
PatmanTN
10-29-2015, 15:14
Owen this is an awesome pictorial. yeah that sun can really be intense up there huh? I guess we'll swap out trips....I'll have to hit Weminuche and you'll have to hit the Elk Mountains...
Owen this is an awesome pictorial. yeah that sun can really be intense up there huh? I guess we'll swap out trips....I'll have to hit Weminuche and you'll have to hit the Elk Mountains...
My pastor and I have a rerun of Owen's trip planned for September, 2016. I'm so ready to go now. I feel like the Thrus who get on here in 2014 or 2015 and talk of hiking in 2016 or 2017.
I want to go and I want to go NOW! :D :cool:
I have the Wind River Range penciled in for 2017. Hopefully I can include the Teton Crest Trail on that trip. It would be insane to go that far and not hike in both places. Might as well add Yellowstone too. ;)
Wayne
PatmanTN
10-30-2015, 09:55
Wayne, hmmm... summer 17 is also Wind River for me! Summer 16 will hopefully be attempt #2 at Glacier NP (depending on wildfires I guess).
Yeah I hear ya on the excitement....same here!
Too many trails. Too little time.
Wayne
colorado_rob
11-05-2015, 12:58
Wayne, hmmm... summer 17 is also Wind River for me! Timing will be everything for being in Wyoming the summer of 2017....
Total solar eclipse swipes diagonally right down the state (and on to the SE USA) on August 21st, 2017!!!
http://www.astroadventures.net/2017/USA/images/Eclipse-Durations.jpg
Timing will be everything for being in Wyoming the summer of 2017....
Total solar eclipse swipes diagonally right down the state (and on to the SE USA) on August 21st, 2017!!!
http://www.astroadventures.net/2017/USA/images/Eclipse-Durations.jpg
Yes indeed. I have two options: Wyoming or North Carolina. Wyoming would be a lot neater. North Carolina a lot closer. Hmmmmm.
In the meantime, my own Elk Park/Needleton trip has gone from next year to THIS! year. Gee, I almost have Thru-Hike anticipation. I will be close to the AT in June. I suppose I should think about my second AT section hike.
Wayne
Looking at Houston in the rear view mirror. There might be a song in there.
DuneElliot
01-13-2016, 13:10
Thanks for the pictures and the journal. I am preparing to thru-hike the CT in 2017 and these kinds of pictures just keep inspiring me. I lived all over Colorado for years so know how gorgeous it is, but I am definitely excited. It would be awesome to find someone to start out with, especially as it would be my first LD thru-hike.
My pastor and I have a rerun of Owen's trip planned for September, 2016.
You still going in September?
I decided another trip to the Weminuche was in order instead of going somewhere new, and should be headed that way on Sept. 20th.
7 days again, and will probably be doing the loop from Needleton this time, taking Rock Creek and going up by Rock, Twin and Ute lakes, out to the Window and Rio Grande Pyramid, then back toward Hunchback Pass on the CDT by Middle and West Ute Lakes.
Yes we are going. We should be coming out as you are going in. Can't wait!
Your plan is ambitious. My first trip in the Wimenuche was up to Rio Grande Pyramid and The Window. I would like to go back.
There will be 4 of us now. I'm sitting in the mountains of NC practice hiking on Grandfather Mountain.
Good luck! Have fun.
Wayne
Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."
I'm sitting in the mountains of NC practice hiking on Grandfather Mountain.
Haha! It's a small world, and I love little coincidences :)
My friends, who I also invited to go to CO with me, live in Sugar Mountain, NC and just dayhiked Grandfather Mountain on Saturday-AND tomorrow morning, unless I switch to something more local(debating), I'm heading up to TN to overnight the same loop at Savage Gulf that I was hiking when I first met them a few years ago.
Owen this is an awesome pictorial. yeah that sun can really be intense up there huh? I guess we'll swap out trips....I'll have to hit Weminuche and you'll have to hit the Elk Mountains...
Sorry I didn't see that before. That was my first time hiking at that kind of altitude, and yeah, the sun was no joke! It got up to 80F, which might as well be 55F when there's no humidity to speak of, but my exposed skin was getting visibly red in a very short time, and I was not pale to begin with.
Small world. My first hike was up to Shanty Spring. The second hike I went up the Profile trail to Grandfather Trail and up to the first ladder. The wind was howling. I figured that was a major victory for an old geezer. The round trip through the boulder field was interesting.
After those two days I figure I can handle Colorado.
Wayne
Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."
Great stuff Owen! Read this when you first posted. Had to revisit. I'll be there in 2 weeks. Purgatory Flats to Molas lake 6 days. Then I'll hitch back to my car. No Train. I'm taking 3 young adults and doing all the planing myself. What the hell did I get myself into!
I did the CDT through the Weminuche last year and I want more. I could have gone any where out west I wanted to this summer but those San Juans are calling me back! Really want to see Chicago Basin/Columbine Pass area. We'll be starting on a Sunday so hopefully avoid some of the weekend crowds.
We'll be in hanging Durango Saturday night acclimating. Can't wait!
Y'all are killing me. Blast off from East Texas on or before September 1. A night in Bandalier NM. Then Highland Mary Lakes to acclimate before the train ride about September 12.
Have a great hike Y'all.
Wayne
Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."
You still going in September?
I decided another trip to the Weminuche was in order instead of going somewhere new, and should be headed that way on Sept. 20th.
7 days again, and will probably be doing the loop from Needleton this time, taking Rock Creek and going up by Rock, Twin and Ute lakes, out to the Window and Rio Grande Pyramid, then back toward Hunchback Pass on the CDT by Middle and West Ute Lakes.
Owen,
What can you tell me about the hike up Rock Creek? I know you mentioned going toward Rock Lake on your previous trip but the weather messed you up. Curious about that area.
Thanks.
Wayne
Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."
That was the easiest climb of my trip. Kind of meanders uphill for 3.5-4 miles, while the terrain rises more sharply on either side of you. Meadows with big rocks and stands of trees. Good hiking except for a flat area near the top that was already crisscrossed with waterways and boggy even before the heavy rains(trail was knee deep through there on the way out due to the flooding on my trip).
I made it to just below Rock Lake, but am unsure of the exact spot on the map, and was near the base of a short cliffline on my right when I got hammered by the storm I described in the TR.
btw, it's not on the National Geographic map, but I have Donna Ikenberry's book on the area, and have since discovered that it has a map showing that there is a trail that cuts over to Rock Lake, by Half Moon Lake, then connects to the Emerald Lake trail(where the Nat Geo map shows it deadending at moon lake). Less than 2 miles, that section, and an obvious off-trail route if there wasn't a trail, but I guess it answers any questions as to whether there are any terrain features keeping you from being able to make it from Rock Lake to Moon Lake if you want.
Thanks Owen. The glimpse of a plan is taking shape.
Apparently you can hike in a continuous arc from the Vallecito CG to Rock Lake, Flint Lakes, Emerald Lake and down to Pine River CG.
Have a great hike.
Wayne
Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."
Haha! It's a small world, and I love little coincidences :)
My friends, who I also invited to go to CO with me, live in Sugar Mountain, NC and just dayhiked Grandfather Mountain on Saturday-AND tomorrow morning, unless I switch to something more local(debating), I'm heading up to TN to overnight the same loop at Savage Gulf that I was hiking when I first met them a few years ago.
Funny, I thought of this today.
Unfortunately, his wife can't come, but now the male half of that couple will be joining me for a return trip to the Weminuche(had to cancel in 2016).
We will probably do the basic loop, except for sticking with the CDT at Nebo Creek then coming back down to the Vallecito via the Rock Creek Trail, plus climbing Eolus on our last day.
I've turned mountain biker, and am in good shape, but need to toughen up my feet between now and then.
It's been 4 years, and I've been to the Sierras and back to Utah since, but hardly a day goes by that I don't think of Colorado.
Should probably post a warning, since I'm now up to 7 of 7 for my trips out West featuring what weather.com calls a "significant weather event":rolleyes:
Part of me was thinking my luck might change with him along, but then I remembered that they tried to do the Maroon Bells the first week of October last year and got snowed out on day 1.
Uhhh...y'all look out, things might get ugly in the San Juans come late September.
Sorry:(
Funny, I thought of this today.
Unfortunately, his wife can't come, but now the male half of that couple will be joining me for a return trip to the Weminuche(had to cancel in 2016).
We will probably do the basic loop, except for sticking with the CDT at Nebo Creek then coming back down to the Vallecito via the Rock Creek Trail, plus climbing Eolus on our last day.
I've turned mountain biker, and am in good shape, but need to toughen up my feet between now and then.
It's been 4 years, and I've been to the Sierras and back to Utah since, but hardly a day goes by that I don't think of Colorado.
Should probably post a warning, since I'm now up to 7 of 7 for my trips out West featuring what weather.com calls a "significant weather event":rolleyes:
Part of me was thinking my luck might change with him along, but then I remembered that they tried to do the Maroon Bells the first week of October last year and got snowed out on day 1.
Uhhh...y'all look out, things might get ugly in the San Juans come late September.
Sorry:(
Welcome back to your thread!
I am minutes away from making a reservation on the train out of Silverton for my granddaughter and I. We have very low expectations. It's her first real backpacking trip and first trip to the Rockies. If we get to the beaver ponds I'll be excited.
I'm glad you popped up. Speaking of camping at the beaver ponds. I know they can be buggy. Is there a better place to camp further up Elk Creek? What about access to water? Are there lateral creeks coming down to Elk Creek?
Thanks for all of your help. Oh, I'll be back at Grandfather Mountain in late October.
Wayne
Bummer!
The Durango-Silverton train is not accepting backpackers until August 10, 2018.
The reason? They need space on the train for fire related equipment.
So. We’re going somewhere else in the Weminuche Wilderness.
There are worse things that could happen.
Wayne
Welcome back to your thread!
:D Thanks!
Sucks your plans didn't work out.
If y'all try again...bugs weren't an issue when I was there before, but there is a place to camp not far past the beaver ponds. My memory is fuzzy on how far(think I went past it, then decided to go back) maybe a mile.
Elk Creek parallels the trail on the right for a bit, but I saw a stream off to the left and camped near that. Lower than the trail, but close, though out of sight of it. There is a stream on the map coming in perpendicular to the trail right in that area, but I can't say if that was it or not.
I decided to go back to the Beginning. I booked us into the Vallecito Campground. We’ll go up Vallecito Creek as far as my granddaughter is willing to go. That’s a good place for a first trip. I will enjoy going back to my roots.
There are no bad trails in the Weminuche!
Wayne