We are so excited to be offering a trip into one of the most spectacular areas of Colorado, the Chicago Basin. This remote area is difficult to access, but many feel it is the most scenic area of Colorado. Our team will take the narrow gauge railway from Durango to Needleton and back to gain access to the basin. While in the basin, we will be attempting to summit all four 14’ers in the area (Sunlight, Windom, Eulos, and North Eulos).
This will be a very challenging adventure requiring some technical climbing proficiency. One of the mountains is high class 2, but the others require at a minimum class 3 skills and Sunlight has a couple of very brief class 4 sections…several with significant exposure. We would not recommend this trip for novice climbers or those who have not yet encountered exposure.
Dates: Aug 1-5, 2024
Team members will need to arrive in Durango anytime on Wednesday July 31st and will plan to depart from Durango no earlier than late evening Sunday August 3rd (Most team members will choose depart morning of August 4th).
Cost: $1,150 per person
- A non-refundable $300 deposit is required at the time of registration to secure your spot on the team.
- $1,150 is due before May 15th, 2024.
- Additional cost of $200 if airport pickup is required from either Denver (DEN) or Albuquerque (ABQ)
- We will work with each team member to arrange a payment schedule.
What is included:
- Train tickets to and from Durango to Needleton
- All camping gear including tents and stoves, but not including sleeping bags and sleeping mats
- Accommodations in Durango on July 31st and August 3rd.
- Cold trail breakfast and lunch on days 2, 3, & 4
- Camp style dinner on days 2 & 3, and a restaurant dinner in Durango on day 4
What is NOT included:
- Team members are responsible for their own travel to and from Durango. Airport pickup can be arranged in Durango (DRO) for free or from Denver (DEN) or Albuquerque (ABQ) for an additional $200.
- Team members are responsible for their own trekking gear (backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow, daypack, clothes, hiking shoes/boots, trekking poles, head lamp, etc.). We will provide an extensive and detailed packing/gear list for all of our participants.
- Team members are responsible for their own additional snacks while trekking. We will provide a trail breakfast and lunch along with some snacks, but some team members may choose to bring additional snacks.
Trek Difficulty: Difficult
Individually, all of these mountains are challenging both in terms of the length of the trail and also as it relates to the class of climbing required to reach each of the summits. In particular, Sunlight Peak requires some very exposed class 4 sections. Some team members may choose to skip the summit of Sunlight to keep the required climbing at class 3. We recommend all of our team members devote themselves to a season of training before attempting this trek. The more cardio fitness you can obtain before your adventure, the more you will enjoy the hike to the summits.
Itinerary:
Day 1 (Aug 1st)
Team members need to arrive in Durango anytime on Aug 1st. If airport transport is required, please arrange very early flights to DEN to accommodate the multiple hour drive to get to Durango. The team will check in to the team hotel and ready themselves for a few days in the back country.
Day 2 (Aug 2nd)
We will begin the day with a ride on the narrow gauge railroad from Durango to Needleton. After we exit the train, we will have an approximately 6 mile hike to where we will setup our backcountry camp.
Day 3 (Aug 3rd)
We will get up well before the sun to make our way up both Sunlight and Windom peaks. Sunlight is the more technical and challenging mountain, so we will likely tackle it first. Upon completion of both peaks, we will make our way back down to camp sometime in the early afternoon. We should have a pretty relaxing day at camp and another early bedtime.
Day 4 (Aug 4th)
We will wake up early again and make our way up to Eulos and North Eulos peaks and the exciting “Catwalk” which connects them. Upon summiting both peaks, we will make our way back to camp, break everything down and hike the 6 miles back to catch the train back to Durango. If all goes well we should be back to Durango by 6:15PM where we will check in to our hotel, enjoy a much needed shower and celebratory dinner. Some team members will choose to depart late evening on the 3rd, but accommodation on this night is included in your trip cost for those choosing to depart on Day 5.
Day 5 (Aug 5th)
We will check out of our hotel and begin the return journey home. Those flying on this day need to book flights as late in the day as possible to accommodate the drive from Durango to either Denver or Albuquerque.