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Hey crew! I am looking for recommendations for a 6-10 day hike near Silverton/Telluride/Durango. Difficulty doesn't make too much difference. Wouldn't mind passing a few beautiful lakes!

Last year we did the Vallecito-->Emerald Lake--> Moon Lake and loved it, so anything similar would be great.

Thanks!

The loop you did was a gem...one of the prettiest areas in the state from the photos I've seen. If you've not hiked among the Grenadiers, I would say that's a must -- I think you could do a loop from Molas Pass that would take you southeast into Vestal basin, further east toward Jagged and then north and back west to your car. Pure hiking would only make that a 3 day hike but if you're summiting, then it's quite easy to eclipse 6 days.

Marmot72 wrote:The loop you did was a gem...one of the prettiest areas in the state from the photos I've seen. If you've not hiked among the Grenadiers, I would say that's a must -- I think you could do a loop from Molas Pass that would take you southeast into Vestal basin, further east toward Jagged and then north and back west to your car. Pure hiking would only make that a 3 day hike but if you're summiting, then it's quite easy to eclipse 6 days.

You can't go wrong anywhere but I'd agree that the Grenadiers are beautiful. Colorado Trail from Molas Pass up to Lake Eldorado is pretty hard to beat.

waolsen wrote:

Marmot72 wrote:The loop you did was a gem...one of the prettiest areas in the state from the photos I've seen. If you've not hiked among the Grenadiers, I would say that's a must -- I think you could do a loop from Molas Pass that would take you southeast into Vestal basin, further east toward Jagged and then north and back west to your car. Pure hiking would only make that a 3 day hike but if you're summiting, then it's quite easy to eclipse 6 days.

You can't go wrong anywhere but I'd agree that the Grenadiers are beautiful. Colorado Trail from Molas Pass up to Lake Eldorado is pretty hard to beat.

Option 1: Take the train to Needleton, then hike the loop all the way over to Elk Park back to the train. I think it's in the neighborhood of 40 miles.

Option 2: Hike the Purgatory Creek Trail to Needleton, then do option 1. From Elk Park hike up to Molas Pass. This option adds 15 miles to option 1. You will have to hitch a ride back to the Purgatory Creek Trail.

Barry Raven wrote:

waolsen wrote:

Marmot72 wrote:The loop you did was a gem...one of the prettiest areas in the state from the photos I've seen. If you've not hiked among the Grenadiers, I would say that's a must -- I think you could do a loop from Molas Pass that would take you southeast into Vestal basin, further east toward Jagged and then north and back west to your car. Pure hiking would only make that a 3 day hike but if you're summiting, then it's quite easy to eclipse 6 days.

You can't go wrong anywhere but I'd agree that the Grenadiers are beautiful. Colorado Trail from Molas Pass up to Lake Eldorado is pretty hard to beat.

Option 1: Take the train to Needleton, then hike the loop all the way over to Elk Park back to the train. I think it's in the neighborhood of 40 miles.

Option 2: Hike the Purgatory Creek Trail to Needleton, then do option 1. From Elk Park hike up to Molas Pass. This option adds 15 miles to option 1. You will have to hitch a ride back to the Purgatory Creek Trail.

Awesome- all of these recs sound great. Thanks guys!