Durgango Train

[two lunches]

"Kennedy Pass" is a good alternative also. It goes from Missionary Ridge. More vert on the return (~500 ft), more off trail, more remote, more beautiful, less mileage (Almost 15 MILES LESS ROUNDTRIP).

Maybe I'll do a TR for it at some point.

Here's the route:

https://www.strava.com/activities/9914131628

I love the idea of 15mi less RT but if I'm reading the elevation profile correctly (looks like the track starts at ChiBa and goes out...) then it appears that on the hike out you have to gain nearly 2,000ft in about 1.4mi with no trail. That's not my idea of fun for a return trip - especially if I was carrying camping gear (which, even with the reduced mileage, when you add on 4 peaks to that, it's still probably outside my dayhike capability - especially with a virtual wall on the return).

Compare that to Purgatory - a quick, rough skim of a file in the gpx library shows it to be about 1,000ft gain on the return spread over nearly 4mi, and all of that on a trail.

So kudos for being an absolute monster and banging out a very creative new approach but I suspect few normal humans will be tempted by that route (though there are enough insane people on this site who do entire mountain ranges in a day that it would probably have a lot of appeal if you posted a TR...).

If I somehow totally butchered the stats, let me know since I would love to have a more efficient approach without doing the train for a 3rd time.

It’s definitely steep. But no worse than most 14ers. Seriously one of the prettiest views imaginable looking down into Chicago Basin from the top of the pass.

madmatt and i used this approach in august. it's a really unique option that alleviates the logistical challenges associated with the train. our stats are different for the approach because we summited Overlook Point on our way to the basin but i'm showing about 9 miles and 2500' in, 7 miles and 2500' out.

and brent is not lying about the views

[madmattd]

Yep, I liked the Kennedy approach, I basically decided that was the route I wanted to do when I first heard about it several years ago. It's not for everyone - trail-less for the steep gully section, the aforementioned climb out awaiting you, and you've got to be more aware of the weather too since it's almost all above treeline (and on a mesa top for a lot of it too). But it also saves a lot of distance and some gain vs Purgatory, allows for a fairly easy 13er addon (Overlook Point), and the views on the approach are insane. Pros and cons to all 3 route options for sure, I rather suspect I'll end up doing all 3 eventually. The climb out at the start of the day was a grind, but a "head down and just plug away, look back at the views once in a while" type of grind - not all that bad honestly. Decent use trail in the upper ~500' of the gully. Not a ton of beta out there on the route, but there is some on this site and in other places. You'll see it called the "West Kennedy Gully"/"Kennedy Pass" approach, "Lime Mesa" approach, and similar. I've debated back and forth on doing a TR or not, it's kind of cool having it be available but not overly documented at the same time.

Definitely plan an extra day in the basin if you can - we did, and we ended up needing it due to dicey weather our first full day in the basin. It meant we didn't get Jupiter as we'd planned, but we did do the 4 14ers in one day - luckily we had good weather for that because it was a LONG day! 2+2 would be a much more chill trip if you can get the weather for it. Eleven, Glacier, Jupiter, even Eighteen are all on my list for a future visit.

Two Lunch's stats above account for us camping near the base of the gully, one of the "lowest" campsites commonly used in the basin, around 10,700'. Add a little more distance/gain if climbing up to the main campsites - looks like Brent's track shows that. It was about 1mi from where we camped to the split for Twin Lakes/Columbine Pass.

[AlejandraOutside]

My tip is add Jupiter. Not many think about the Centennials when they’re hyperfocused on their 14er quest but it’s often the next step. Chicago Basin is such a time sucking trip and expensive if you take the train that you may regret not adding Jupiter when you’re up there. I’ve regretted it for 13 years now. You’ll probably be camping near the junction of the trail that heads up to Columbine Pass so might as well tack it on.

This, and peak eleven if you're planning on going for the 13ers. It's an add on to the 14ers and on your route anyway.

I'm so grateful for everyone's insight! Stringing peaks together and being thoughtful/ strategic is something I've not had great foresight on. But let's be honest, I'm so slow just the one has been a win historically, especially in cold temps when I'm significantly more cautious with risk management. But winter is for training, and I'll have the whole weekend and then some to climb, learn, and take in the beauty of the basin. ...And I also booked backup dates just in case. As my mother used to say, "uno nunca sabe!"

Also, WW, I'm already halfway through your book which arrived recently. Just sayin'. Big fan.

[Skimo95]

This is just my opinion but I think the train is iconic and a big part of Durangos tourism revenue. I’ve done both approaches a couple of times each and they both have their place. For finishing the 14ers, train and beers on the way back is the way to go.

I’ve actually met some great people I still keep in contact with while waiting on the train. I will say I had a good chuckle last year while hiking back to Purgatory and watching a gentleman come in with a guitar on his side.

Join a climbing gym, and you shouldn’t have any issues with the summit block after training a little. CB is a special place, and it’s better people ask questions than go in unprepared. I’ve heard some very suspect accounts of people getting in over their heads back there.

[Bigfoot]

I used the "Kennedy Pass" approach back in 2022 and would highly recommend it. I started at the upper Lime Mesa trailhead instead of the lower trailhead which would be more accessible. I enjoyed that my approach was essentially downhill - trailhead at 11,500', camp at 11,035': 8.07 miles, 1906 total climb. Since I'm slow and can't handle big days this is what sold me on the route. I also knew that climbing back up to Kennedy Pass was not an option, so my return route was via Columbine Pass, Trimble Pass, Silver Mesa, and City Reservoir. Trip report

[daway8]

I used the "Kennedy Pass" approach back in 2022 and would highly recommend it. I started at the upper Lime Mesa trailhead instead of the lower trailhead which would be more accessible. I enjoyed that my approach was essentially downhill - trailhead at 11,500', camp at 11,035': 8.07 miles, 1906 total climb. Since I'm slow and can't handle big days this is what sold me on the route. I also knew that climbing back up to Kennedy Pass was not an option, so my return route was via Columbine Pass, Trimble Pass, Silver Mesa, and City Reservoir. Trip report

That's an interesting variation - did you happen to record the mileage for the hike out and/or the trip as a whole?

Huge gains on the way out are my least favorite thing about hiking - I prefer to have most of the gain be on the way to the summit. It would be interesting to see a gpx track if you have one to compare profiles...

[Bigfoot]

I used the "Kennedy Pass" approach back in 2022 and would highly recommend it. I started at the upper Lime Mesa trailhead instead of the lower trailhead which would be more accessible. I enjoyed that my approach was essentially downhill - trailhead at 11,500', camp at 11,035': 8.07 miles, 1906 total climb. Since I'm slow and can't handle big days this is what sold me on the route. I also knew that climbing back up to Kennedy Pass was not an option, so my return route was via Columbine Pass, Trimble Pass, Silver Mesa, and City Reservoir. Trip report

That's an interesting variation - did you happen to record the mileage for the hike out and/or the trip as a whole?

Huge gains on the way out are my least favorite thing about hiking - I prefer to have most of the gain be on the way to the summit. It would be interesting to see a gpx track if you have one to compare profiles...

I have GPS tracks for each day:
Approach (Kennedy Pass): 8.07 miles, 1906 total climb (low @ 10,700' to high @ 12,600')

Screenshot 2026-01-29 211534.jpg

Exit (City Reservoir): 7.84 miles, 2226 total climb (low @ 11,000' to high @ 12,900')

Screenshot 2026-01-29 211554.jpg

Exit (Lime Mesa): 9.25 miles, 1880 total climb (low @ 10,900' to high @ 11,800') -- this includes an extra mile of bushwacking between the Burnt Timber trail and Lime Mesa trail only to discover there was a direct connecting trail about 100 yards further along the first trail that wasn't on my map.

Screenshot 2026-01-29 211613.jpg

The whole trip, including the summits (3 days), was 43.5 miles, 15,976' climb.

[greenonion]

Here is a roundtrip comparison:
https://caltopo.com/m/JC1BUSR
The Kennedy Pass route is actually LESS elevation total roundtrip. And 14 miles less. It's an amazing route.

Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 8.26.46 AM.png
Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 8.27.06 AM.png

Thanks for highlighting the Kennedy Pass route. Had never heard of. What’s the road like to the presumed TH where your track begins? I have a stock 2023 4Runner. And are you implying this route is day trip-able from the TH?

[greenonion]

Here is a roundtrip comparison:
https://caltopo.com/m/JC1BUSR
The Kennedy Pass route is actually LESS elevation total roundtrip. And 14 miles less. It's an amazing route.

Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 8.26.46 AM.png
Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 8.27.06 AM.png

Thanks for highlighting the Kennedy Pass route. Had never heard of. What’s the road like to the presumed TH where your track begins? I have a stock 2023 4Runner. And are you implying this route is day trip-able from the TH?

…and would LOVE to see a TR!

[two lunches]

Here is a roundtrip comparison:
https://caltopo.com/m/JC1BUSR
The Kennedy Pass route is actually LESS elevation total roundtrip. And 14 miles less. It's an amazing route.

Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 8.26.46 AM.png
Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 8.27.06 AM.png

Thanks for highlighting the Kennedy Pass route. Had never heard of. What’s the road like to the presumed TH where your track begins? I have a stock 2023 4Runner. And are you implying this route is day trip-able from the TH?

you'll be fine, stu! if you can air down a bit it's a more comfortable ride. there's really just the one spot that requires some thoughtfulness

[greenonion]

Here is a roundtrip comparison:
https://caltopo.com/m/JC1BUSR
The Kennedy Pass route is actually LESS elevation total roundtrip. And 14 miles less. It's an amazing route.

Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 8.26.46 AM.png
Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 8.27.06 AM.png

Thanks for highlighting the Kennedy Pass route. Had never heard of. What’s the road like to the presumed TH where your track begins? I have a stock 2023 4Runner. And are you implying this route is day trip-able from the TH?

you'll be fine, stu! if you can air down a bit it's a more comfortable ride. there's really just the one spot that requires some thoughtfulness

Thanks TL!

[markf]

Here is a roundtrip comparison:
https://caltopo.com/m/JC1BUSR
The Kennedy Pass route is actually LESS elevation total roundtrip. And 14 miles less. It's an amazing route.

Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 8.26.46 AM.png
Screenshot 2026-01-29 at 8.27.06 AM.png

Thanks for highlighting the Kennedy Pass route. Had never heard of. What’s the road like to the presumed TH where your track begins? I have a stock 2023 4Runner. And are you implying this route is day trip-able from the TH?

while we're on the subject, how close to the TH could a low clearance 2WD car get? I took the train to get to Chicago Basin once, and between the train ticket, parking and staying in Durango the night before I decided I'd rather walk in next time.