Chicago Basin / Durango train

[JROSKA]

Was on the train today (8/26) in Durango, ready to get dropped off at Needleton when an announcement was made that a mudslide / rockslide has covered up the tracks between Durango and Needleton. No reopening date was announced at the depot.

[bdloftin77]

Wow, thanks for the update. Sorry that happened right as you were going out to Needleton!

[greenonion]

Was on the train today (8/26) in Durango, ready to get dropped off at Needleton when an announcement was made that a mudslide / rockslide has covered up the tracks between Durango and Needleton. No reopening date was announced at the depot.

Another backpacker told me they saw a photo of the track sliced in two. Might be a longer fix. Looking around for some lemonade. Hmmm maybe Snowmass…

[denvermikey]

Good buddy of mine was on that train as well. Was headed to Jagged for his Centennial finisher. Been planning this for over a year. Such a bummer...

[HikesInGeologicTime]

Sorry for all the scuttled plans. Probably better to be scuttled on the way in than out, though - Purg Flats is not the funnest trek out there (and I say that as someone who is all about long, boring, gradual trail walk-ups), and then the logistics of getting back to Durango from Purg…dunno if the DSNGRR provides any sort of shuttle service to aid backpackers who can find their way to the road, but I still don’t envy anyone needing to find out.

And speaking of how unpleasant Purg Flats is:

Good buddy of mine was on that train as well. Was headed to Jagged for his Centennial finisher. Been planning this for over a year. Such a bummer...

Any chance your friend has all of this week + Labor Day Weekend off and can make a super-duper epically long backpack out of the Cent finisher? Don’t get me wrong, adding 15 or 20 or whatever it is RT miles onto what already sounds like a real blister-generator of a trip would not be my first choice, either, but if he’s already down there, has the time, and is THATCLOSE to finishing, might be worth considering.

[denvermikey]

Sorry for all the scuttled plans. Probably better to be scuttled on the way in than out, though - Purg Flats is not the funnest trek out there (and I say that as someone who is all about long, boring, gradual trail walk-ups), and then the logistics of getting back to Durango from Purg…dunno if the DSNGRR provides any sort of shuttle service to aid backpackers who can find their way to the road, but I still don’t envy anyone needing to find out.

And speaking of how unpleasant Purg Flats is:

Good buddy of mine was on that train as well. Was headed to Jagged for his Centennial finisher. Been planning this for over a year. Such a bummer...

Any chance your friend has all of this week + Labor Day Weekend off and can make a super-duper epically long backpack out of the Cent finisher? Don’t get me wrong, adding 15 or 20 or whatever it is RT miles onto what already sounds like a real blister-generator of a trip would not be my first choice, either, but if he’s already down there, has the time, and is THATCLOSE to finishing, might be worth considering.

I haven't had a chance to chat with him yet, but he is very resourceful. Been planning this for awhile. Has the time off and could probably wrap it into the weekend in needed. Even brought provisions for extra days in camp if weather is bad. Probably planned for some contingencies but maybe not this one. Just not sure if he and his group would be down for that much extra mileage. Probably just sit tight in Durango for a bit for some updates and ETA for the train to come back on line.

[bdloftin77]

Has anyone tried biking to the wilderness boundary near Chi Basin from Purgatory? Is that a viable alternate approach? (I did send a message to George re: record attempt this summer). I've tried biking approaches for a number of peaks, and it's hit or miss on whether it actually saves time/makes things a lot easier. All the mud from early July might have greatly affected the current trail though. Anyone hike in from Purgatory recently? I have a friend who was planning on Chi Basin next week and he only has Pyramid left after that.

[jbealer]

i just called as we have tickets for fri. they said the train will run tomorrow and anyone booked today will get on tomorrows train.

[bdloftin77]

That’s good news!

[HikesInGeologicTime]

Oh good! Glad the clean-up will be easier than it sounded (to me, at least)!

[seannunn]

JRoska & GreenOnion,

So sorry to hear about the wrench that was thrown in your gears!!!

Sean Nunn

[JROSKA]

JRoska & GreenOnion,

So sorry to hear about the wrench that was thrown in your gears!!!

Sean Nunn

I think The Onion will be fine. He’s a 14er machine this summer! As for me, it only lasted a few seconds but I had tears in my eyes. Mainly because it’s the first time all summer I felt so fired up to make a trip and got all the way out there, I was really excited to get things going. And then to be on the train, literally starting to talk through logistics of the upcoming hike, maybe 5 minutes away from departure, to have that announcement. Wow. But it’s probably for the best. All indications are that we’d have been dealing with a few inches of snow up on the peaks.

I should advertise to the forum that the customer service folks at the train were extremely empathetic and helpful in terms of refund / rescheduling opportunities. Some wanted later in the week, some wanted later in the fall, some wanted weekends, some wanted full refunds and as far as I could tell (and direct interaction) they accommodated whatever someone asked for.