Looking for thoughts on Chicago Basin trip in August 2025

[mmcgarity]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a Chicago Basin trip this summer and wanted to hear some time planning from those that have done it. Here is my schedule, I'd love comments and suggestions. Is this reasonable, easy, too ambitions, etc?

Day 1 - drive to Durango (I'm in Colorado Springs)
Day 2 - catch the train, hop off, hike into the basin
Day 3 - climb 2 peaks
Day 4 - climb 2 peaks, hike out, catch train (about 3.00, if I recall). Probably drive home late day 4.

Is this a reasonable schedule? Can all 4 peaks be done in 1 day once you are in the basin?

Thanks,
Marc M
719-313-2854

[DrNoe]

I've been up there twice. Your plan is spot on.

Can it be done in one day? Yes indeed as several folks have done it and there is something to be said for not having to down climb to the basin to only have to regain that the next day. I preferred the (2) 14ers a day approach. Enjoy!

[d_baker]

I think your plan is reasonable and has/can be done.
If you flexibility and/or more time, I would add a day and not worry about packing out the same day as doing two peaks. If adding a day, you could hit Jupiter and pack out/catch train too.
All 4 can be done in day too.
Enjoy, and good luck!

[oldschool]

If I may....Chicago Basin is a very special place. Please consider the following idea. Spend time in this fantastic area. This is what i did.

Drive from Colorado Springs to Purgatory Day 1
Hike in from Purgatory Day 2
Eolus and N Eolus Day 3
Windom and SUulight Day 4
Hike out to Purgatory Day 5

Mike

[Scott P]

It can certainly be done, but I'd add another day if you can. That would allow a little flexibility with the weather.

[markf]

Having taken the train to get to Chicago Basin once, and having hiked into Chicago Basin (from Vallecito trailhead) once, I like oldschool/Mike's idea. The effort saved by taking the train to Needleton just isn't worth the expense of the train, parking your car, and spending a night in Durango. Hike partway in from Purgatory and camp if you don't want to do the full hike in one day.

If you do take the train, doing 3 peaks in one day and one peak the next day would reduce the odds of any delays cropping up when you're trying to catch the train. For that matter, doing all 4 peaks in one day would make catching the train the next day a whole lot easier. Like oldschool says, though, Chicago Basin is worth spending a little extra time in.

[hellmanm]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a Chicago Basin trip this summer and wanted to hear some time planning from those that have done it. Here is my schedule, I'd love comments and suggestions. Is this reasonable, easy, too ambitions, etc?

Day 1 - drive to Durango (I'm in Colorado Springs)
Day 2 - catch the train, hop off, hike into the basin
Day 3 - climb 2 peaks
Day 4 - climb 2 peaks, hike out, catch train (about 3.00, if I recall). Probably drive home late day 4.

Is this a reasonable schedule? Can all 4 peaks be done in 1 day once you are in the basin?

Thanks,
Marc M
719-313-2854

I'd give yourself an extra day. Those last 2 peaks will make catching the train a bit precarious, and Wemi weather is notoriously fickle (on some slabby terrain that may need to dry out). If the 5th day ends up being extra, it'll at least make the drive home easier. If you're a glutton for punishment, you could even add Jupiter Mtn (centennial) as a Day 5 climb if you did your proposed itinerary in 4.

[daway8]

So much depends on:
1) your speed
2) your endurance
3) the weather

The faster you are, the more endurance you have, and the better the weather is, the greater the odds of doing all 4 in a day.

If your speed is a little slower or your endurance not super high then you're not going to want to deplete yourself with the extra hike in from Purgatory and also not likely to bang them all out in one day.

Or even with good speed and endurance, many people get caught in afternoon thunderstorms that sometimes include pretty epic hail (I've seen people in the basin with shredded tarps before...). So leaving the flexibility to go for all 4 in a day if everything lines up, or being ready to sit out the afternoon storms and pick up the next two early in the morning is a good idea.

Also, beware the more days you stay out, the more food you'll need to pack in = more weight = more fatigue and less speed (depending on how good you are at packing light).

[wineguy]

I'm on the same wavelength as those who suggest taking your time. But if you really enjoy the challenge of bagging peaks fast, here's another thought. On one of my last trips to the basin, Tallgrass and Spiderman tagged Eolus and N. Eolus the same day we hiked in from Needleton. And that was after waiting out a brief rain shower that started while we were setting up our tents. As you might suspect, they didn't return to camp until after dark. In this scheme I'd definitely recommend doing N. Eolus last, because route-finding is less of an issure on this peak.

[seannunn]

I would echo Daway8. IF you are fit enough, then your timeline is quite reasonable. Keep in mind you can always stay another day if necessary. The train will take you back as long as you are at the bridge on time, even if your return ticket was for the day before. If you haven't made a reservation, keep in mind you will need to call; you can't make the reservation online because there is a limit to how many people are allowed to be dropped off in the basin at any one time.

I was there 2 years ago with my brother and nephew. They were able to do exactly what you are describing (they are pretty fit). I was not able to get the last 2 summits on day 3, but only due to not having a good sleep system and therefore not getting adequate rest (since fixed).

I would recommend what they did: Sunlight and Windom on day 2, then start VERY early for Eolus and N. Eolus on day 3. The trail at least to Twin Lakes is exceedingly easy to follow, even in the dark. You want to hit there at first light at the very latest IMO.

You can hedge your bets by carrying a little extra food up in case you miss the train day 3. You might not need a whole days worth; knowing that you will be hungry for a while if you miss the train on day 3 might be incentive to hustle down to catch the train.

Purgatory approach might be nice, but I will add that the train is a great experience as well. Worth the money if you have it. I save money by not getting a ridiculously priced hotel in Durango. Just car camp somewhere and drive in early the morning of your train.

Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO

[HikesInGeologicTime]

I’m slightly in the pro-train camp, only slightly because the advantages of being able to go up to CB whenever you want to via Purg Flats vs. being stuck with the dates on your tickets are not insignificant…weather’s always a factor, wildfires are always a potential hazard (this year more than others in recent history), getting sick or injured or swamped or having something come up can all make booking tickets feel like a gamble.

That said, the extra mileage from Purg Flats to Needleton is not insignificant, and it is (imho, anyone) largely unspectacular, scenery-wise - lots and lots and LOTS of trees. If you like forested hikes, you should absolutely consider it, but if you prefer more open vistas, you’re not going to get that until you’re nearly in the basin.

I wound up needing to make two trips into CB to get all four fourteeners, so I would definitely recommend planning for an extra day in there just in case you need more rest than a tightly packed schedule would allow. But on my second trip, I booked two days yet managed to camp one night, summit Eolus and North very early the next morning, and hood it back to the train the same day, so if you know your abilities and have good endurance for big back-to-back days, two nights of camping could be sufficient.

[desertdog]

I’ve been in that zone a bunch of times. Once on the train for the 14ers and the other trips hiking from Purgatory. I think the train is a hassle/expensive and it’s worth walking if you aren’t in a rush.

If you were to hike from Purgatory here’s a couple points I would think about…

I was there last summer going in from Purgatory and the trail before needleton had several mud slides. Not sure if they have been cleaned up? It was not a big deal but may have been in a big downpour.

I always walk in all the way day one.the trail is good and it goes quick.

I usually summit whatever mountain I’m going for then walk part of the way out to break up the return to Purgatory TH. There are several great camping spots along the river that make this a nice trip.