Chicago Basin Advice

[Jorts]

If I may tag onto this, but with a bit different question. Great post/questions btw, as I’m headed in there this year as well.

What’s the hike in from the train like? In terms of steepness with a backpack? I know it’s 6-7 miles one way. Can it be compared to Willow creek/lake, south colony, something else… with a backpack?

I had the misfortune of hiking these in early July when there was endless deadfall yet to be cleared by the forest service. You might have to deal with that depending on when you go.

[Scott P]

You might have to deal with that depending on when you go.

Yes. The FS usually tries to clear it just before 4th of July weekend. Before then, there's always deadfall.

[nyker]

I wouldn't want to do all 4-5 in one day. It would be too rushed, you'll not really have the chance to enjoy the area and you're limiting yourself to one day where you'll likely have some bad weather creep in. Better would be to build in an extra day for that time trip. It's a long way to get there, so you want to maximize your chances of success.

Depending on your timing the hike in from purgatory is quite nice and would be a shame to do that in the dark. I'd also skip the train at least for this. Train is cool to take as a day trip for fun but for the sake of climbing in the basin, you're limiting yourself by the train schedule for your start and finishing.

[Jorts]

FWIW, I’ve gone into or out of Chicago Basin by train, Purg Flats and “Kennedy Pass” now. Could be worth considering Kennedy Pass if you’re comfortable with off trail travel. It’s really scenic looking down into the basin. A little more vertical than the flats RT. Considerably less mileage overall. A few other members of this forum have used that route too. Welcome to DM me if you want more info about it.

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[greenonion]

FWIW, I’ve gone into or out of Chicago Basin by train, Purg Flats and “Kennedy Pass” now. Could be worth considering Kennedy Pass if you’re comfortable with off trail travel. It’s really scenic looking down into the basin. A little more vertical than the flats RT. Considerably less mileage overall. A few other members of this forum have used that route too. Welcome to DM me if you want more info about it.

Thanks. Am set up with the train this time around. Depending on how that goes this summer I might get back to you. And thanks to the others who gave info on the approach hike in.

[mtnkub]

I have done both the Chicago Basin four and the Belford trifecta in one day (although the latter from high camp, with Missouri C-couloir as snow climb). I agree that the Belford trifecta is a bigger effort (but it is good to keep in mind that one to has to deal with much more difficulty, exposure, and route finding in Chicago Basin, if any of those are an issue). Weather permitting, I would recommend trying to go for the four in one day. We did N. Eolus, Eolus, Sunlight, Windom; and that seemed to work well. However, as other commented, the "weather permitting" is a big variable in Chicago Basin. So for planning purposes, i would try to allow for at least 2 days of climbing; if you can, 3 days in order to tag on Jupiter or have a weather day.

[nyker]

FWIW, I’ve gone into or out of Chicago Basin by train, Purg Flats and “Kennedy Pass” now. Could be worth considering Kennedy Pass if you’re comfortable with off trail travel. It’s really scenic looking down into the basin. A little more vertical than the flats RT. Considerably less mileage overall. A few other members of this forum have used that route too. Welcome to DM me if you want more info about it.

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4152- that's a really cool photo

[KentonB]

If you have time to kill or an extra day what’s a moderately paced time to get up and down Jupiter from camp?

My hiking partner and I did Jupiter as a "standalone" climb. Took us 5 hours at a fairly relaxed pace round trip (i.e., exploring old cabins, taking pics, etc.). That also includes maybe a half hour on the summit. From where we camped, it was almost exactly 6 miles and 3,100' of elevation gain.

Jupiter.jpg

[alpinenut]

If you have time to kill or an extra day what’s a moderately paced time to get up and down Jupiter from camp?

My hiking partner and I did Jupiter as a "standalone" climb. Took us 5 hours at a fairly relaxed pace round trip (i.e., exploring old cabins, taking pics, etc.). That also includes maybe a half hour on the summit. From where we camped, it was almost exactly 6 miles and 3,100' of elevation gain.
Jupiter.jpg

That is a super helpful response in multiple ways. Thanks!!

[nmjameswilson]

If you could choose would you opt for a Monday or Tuesday train/approach day? Tuesday in/Wednesday climb all 4 if possible/Thursday leave. Less people during the middle of the week.

If you had a good weather day and a questionable weather day which twosome would you do on the questionable day? Early start of course. Depends how early the weather was set to arrive. I would not want to be on the summit blocks of Sunlight or the catwalk as weather arrived. I would do the harder one first and weather would have less of an impact on the others barring lightning. If I had to pick one I would do Eolus/North Eolus then back down.

If you have time to kill or an extra day what’s a moderately paced time to get up and down Jupiter from camp? I have yet to do this one.

Anyone who’s done all 14ers in day from is there an another combo that compares in terms of effort? Maybe like the Missouri threesome? It is really not that hard to do all four in a day effort wise. Comparing I would say similar to the Missouri threesome example other than more exposure.

[fatherforever]

Hello NM James Wilson ~ I have 2 tickets for the Chicago Basin train this August (18th - 23rd) and looking for someone to hike in with and bag the 14ers there.
I have done many technical routes on 14ers in the past but now looking to hike them all via easiest routes.
I've climbed 37 of them so far (as of spring 2024)

Let me know if you're interested in joining me. Scott F.