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Chicago Basin - Sep '13

Chicago Basin comprises the upper portion of the Needle Creek watershed in the Needle Mountains (Colorado), a subrange of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. It lies within the Weminuche Wilderness, part of the San Juan National Forest. Needle Creek is an east-side tributary of the Animas River. The upper portion of the basin is surrounded by fourteeners: Mount Eolus (14,083ft = 4.292m), North Eolus (14,039ft = 4.279m), Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m) and Windom Peak (14,082ft = 4.292m).
These fourteeners were our goal for the Labor Day weekend 2013.We were party of three: Ramiz and Kenan B. (father and son) and me.
The standard route of access to Chicago Basin is somewhat unusual. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, driven by a historical steam locomotive, runs through the canyon of the Animas River. It makes a stop (when requested) at Needleton, a location near the confluence of Needle Creek and the Animas. Visitors to Chicago Basin hike about 6 miles up Needle Creek to the basin itself. There are goats at Chicago Basin.
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  • On Friday August 30th I was driving to Silverton, CO. On my way I made stop at Four Corners. The Four Corners is a region of the United States consisting of the southwestern corner of Colorado, northwestern corner of New Mexico, northeastern corner of Arizona and southeastern corner of Utah. The Four Corners area is named after the quadripoint where the boundaries of the four states meet, where the Four Corners Monument is located. It is the only location in the United States where four states meet. Most of the Four Corners region belongs to semi-autonomous Native American nations, the largest of which is the Navajo Nation, followed by Hopi, Ute, and Zuni tribal reserves and nations. The Four Corners region is part of a larger region known as the Colorado Plateau and is mostly rural, rugged and arid.

    On Friday August 30th I was driving to Silverton, CO. On my way I made stop at Four Corners. The Four Corners is a region of the United States consisting of the southwestern corner of Colorado, northwestern corner of New Mexico, northeastern corner of Arizona and southeastern corner of Utah. The Four Corners area is named after the quadripoint where the boundaries of the four states meet, where the Four Corners Monument is located. It is the only location in the United States where four states meet. Most of the Four Corners region belongs to semi-autonomous Native American nations, the largest of which is the Navajo Nation, followed by Hopi, Ute, and Zuni tribal reserves and nations. The Four Corners region is part of a larger region known as the Colorado Plateau and is mostly rural, rugged and arid.

  • We took Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Scenic train to Needleton. The fare from Silverton is $71 round trip and about one hour each way with free parking in Silverton.

    We took Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Scenic train to Needleton. The fare from Silverton is $71 round trip and about one hour each way with free parking in Silverton.

  • Established in 1881. This authentic steam-powered, coal-fired scenic train makes daily 45 miles (72 km) trips through remote mountains of 3 ft (914 mm) track between Durango at 6,512 ft (1,988 m) and Silverton at 9,308 ft (2,837 m).

    Established in 1881. This authentic steam-powered, coal-fired scenic train makes daily 45 miles (72 km) trips through remote mountains of 3 ft (914 mm) track between Durango at 6,512 ft (1,988 m) and Silverton at 9,308 ft (2,837 m).

  • It is ranked as one of the “Top 10 Scenic Railroads in the World”.

    It is ranked as one of the “Top 10 Scenic Railroads in the World”.

  • In Neddleton is a bridge over Animas River at about 8,200ft or 2.499m.

    In Neddleton is a bridge over Animas River at about 8,200ft or 2.499m.

  • We went downstream to about 8,000ft or 2.438m and from there hiked up Needle Creek. On our way we found testy raspberries.

    We went downstream to about 8,000ft or 2.438m and from there hiked up Needle Creek. On our way we found testy raspberries.

  • In about 3 hours we were in Chicago Basin and made our camp at 11,200ft or 3.414m.

    In about 3 hours we were in Chicago Basin and made our camp at 11,200ft or 3.414m.

  • To avoid typical afternoon storms (Be on mountain ridges during lightning is very dangerous!) we started hiking early in the morning: 3:40am. We used trail over Twin Lakes at 12,500ft or 3.810m visible behind Kenan. Above Twin Lakes are Mount Eolus (14,083ft = 4.292m) – left and North Eolus (14,039ft = 4.279m) to the right.

    To avoid typical afternoon storms (Be on mountain ridges during lightning is very dangerous!) we started hiking early in the morning: 3:40am. We used trail over Twin Lakes at 12,500ft or 3.810m visible behind Kenan. Above Twin Lakes are Mount Eolus (14,083ft = 4.292m) – left and North Eolus (14,039ft = 4.279m) to the right.

  • Approaching ledges to Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m).

    Approaching ledges to Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m).

  • Final push to Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m) through ‘window’.

    Final push to Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m) through ‘window’.

  • At Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m). We were there at about 8am.

    At Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m). We were there at about 8am.

  • View from Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m) towards Chicago Basin.

    View from Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m) towards Chicago Basin.

  • At Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m). Behind me is Windom Peak (14,082ft = 4.292m) – our next goal that day.

    At Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m). Behind me is Windom Peak (14,082ft = 4.292m) – our next goal that day.

  • Looking back towards Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m) – left.

    Looking back towards Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m) – left.

  • With Ramiz at Windom Peak (14,082ft = 4.292m). We were there at about 10am.

    With Ramiz at Windom Peak (14,082ft = 4.292m). We were there at about 10am.

  • Kenan and Ramiz at Windom Peak (14,082ft = 4.292m).

    Kenan and Ramiz at Windom Peak (14,082ft = 4.292m).

  • At Windom Peak (14,082ft = 4.292m) with glacier lakes behind.

    At Windom Peak (14,082ft = 4.292m) with glacier lakes behind.

  • Natural tap water – clean, cold, free, refreshing,…

    Natural tap water – clean, cold, free, refreshing,…

  • Going down to Chicago Basin.

    Going down to Chicago Basin.

  • A lot of water around us.

    A lot of water around us.

  • … and beautiful nature.

    … and beautiful nature.

  • Approaching our camp at 11,200ft or 3.414m.

    Approaching our camp at 11,200ft or 3.414m.

  • At our camp we were at about 12 – noon.

    At our camp we were at about 12 – noon.

  • Of course – we were hungry.

    Of course – we were hungry.

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    Final push to Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m) through ‘window’.
    At Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m). We were there at about 8am.
    View from Sunlight Peak (14,059ft = 4.285m) towards Chicago Basin.