Mt. Eolus

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/29/2019, By: S-Parx
Info: From Purgatory Trailhead to twin lakes, no snow. Avy debris has been cleared and easy to pass through, even in the dark with a headlamp. Snow starts at twin lakes and depending on which peak you are summitting, has varying amounts of snow. Eolus/N. Eolus, a couple patches of snow. Microspikes and poles/axe were fine for this. Softened quite a bit in mid morning, firm early. From the saddle between Eolus and N. Eolus, no more snow. Routefinding to Eolus wasnt straightforward, I think you just have to find cairns and look for the next one. There is no "right" way, just many options. Sunlight, had the steepest snow. I went up on climbers left, winding around rock outcroppings and descended climbers right. Cairns are pretty easy to follow to the summit IF you take the second window. Snow was rotten in some places, good in others. Microspikes and an axe were good for me. Others made it with just poles, I am glad I could self arrest if necessary. Windom, I winded around from sunlight, trying not to lose too much elevation to the saddle. This worked well and the route was obvious. I summitted around 12:30pm and snow was soft, but not dangerously so. I did not step on snow between the saddle and the summit, I left my axe and spikes at the saddle. Be aware of marmots. Of the 4 groups I spoke with, 2 groups had trouble with marmots eating trekking poles, a inflatable raft, backpacks, jackets etc. Do not leave anything that they could chew on. Additionally, some people have left trash at the weminuche wilderness sign. If anyone wants to be a LNT SUPERSTAR they could pack in some trashbags to carry out other peoples trash. Its only 0.8mi from the weminuche wilderness sign to the train. I hiked from Purg Flats and did the whole 4pack in a day so opted not to carry an additional 5lbs of trash out 9miles. Photo 1: Topping out on the headwall above twin lakes, this is the view. Sunlight spire on the left side, windom on the right. Photo 2: Best photo I ended up taking of the route up Eolus. The route goes left of the couloir and around that peak then up to the saddle. Be careful of the gullies, it is NOT the yellow banded gully you initially see. I ended up descended that ledge/gully system and it was heinous but it was wet and loose. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/25/2019, By: daway8
Info: All 4 peaks by Chicago Basin can be done with microspikes and trekking poles, just be sure you know how to safely self-arrest with whatever you bring. Sunlight had worst conditions - snow hard in spots and sank past knees in others. Several rock outcroppings appearing - going up the rocks was easier when available. Microspikes tend to be more suited to that mixed terrain than crampons, just be aware it is steep so again, be prepared to self-arrest. Windom generally firmer with excellent glissade descent. Some were going up with no traction but only by following friends who had traction (wouldn't recommend that). Eolus and North Eolus had multiple snow fields leading up to them but hardly any snow above notch. Easily doable with microspikes. Catwalk totally dry. North Eolus was trivial, rock super grippy. Route finding going up Eolus face was some of most challenging encountered yet (at 55 14ers and counting). Rock not very grippy at all and covered with mud and damp plants, but abundant foot and handholds. Could still glissade patches going down but no longer a continuous slide along the standard route. Rain came every day between 1:30pm - 2pm and typically lasted a couple hours or so with plenty of thunder. Occasional overnight storm but mornings have been storm free. 

Route: Chicago Basin Approach
Posted On: 7/20/2019, By: pmp6
Info: Go Pro found in Chicago Basin. If you are missing a gopro, I have it in Denver and can either meet up or mail it to you. Please contact me and answer a few questions to confirm identity. 

Route: Chicago Basin Approach
Posted On: 7/20/2019, By: pmp6
Info: Go Pro found in Chicago Basin. If you are missing a gopro, I have it in Denver and can either meet up or mail it to you. Please contact me and answer a few questions to confirm identity. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/17/2019, By: Cranfillpe
Info: Summited Windom, Sunlight, Eolus, and N Eolus on Monday. Previous report still accurate. Avy debris at 10,6 will add a bit of heartache and about 10 minutes. Camping in Chicago Basin - two things that I probably should have already known: 1) PEE AWAY FROM CAMP/TRAIL. The goats will swarm wherever you pee, as they apparently need the salt. 2) HANG BACKPACKS. I caught a porcupine chewing on several parts of the backpack, including my camelback tube, which is no longer functional (leaks badly). There was no food, sunscreen, or bugspray in the backpack. There were one or two sketchy snow bridges leading up to Twin Lakes. They were passable on Monday...we'll see how long that lasts. From Twin Lakes (mostly frozen, see photo) there was snow all the way up to the access point to Windom's ridge. This was quite steep in parts; I would not do it without an ice ax. Crampons were very helpful, but perhaps not necessary. Snow here was a bit soft in spots. I was digging the entire shaft (not point) of the ice ax into the snow for security. From that access point, the ridge was mostly dry to the summit. This is not a typical "class 2" route. Maybe you could keep it at class 2 if you were very very diligent with your route finding, but I found myself climbing easy class 3 right on the ridge to save time. There is a very steep glissade down from 13,8-ish. I did this around 6:30am. Early in the morning the snow was quite hard, so I ended up going >2 mph for 20 ft stretches with ice ax dragging HARD. Now exactly leisurely, but I think it was a lot easier than down climbing. This offered a more direct route to the bottom of Sunlight. Again - from Twin Lakes we've got consistent snow coverage in the basin. That said, the gulley on Sunlight is completely snow-covered to the notch. One could feasibly take it, as "tacocat" apparently did, to just below the summit block. I decided I wanted to enjoy the rock scrambling on the ridge, so I climbed the snow to the notch. This snow is steeper than Windom. It was also harder, if I remember correctly. Again, ice ax is mandatory, but ~some people~ could probably ascend in microspikes. In case it's not clear, I would personally not attempt this with microspikes. From the notch, there are a couple places where one has to walk on short patches of snow. One of these spots was pretty exposed, but it was also packed out pretty good. If you've made it this far these patches will not stop you. Final 1.5 ft gap to the actual summit was too spooky for me. I know I could have made it up, but I feared I would get panicky on the downclimb. The glissade down from Sunlight (from the notch) was much more reasonable than form Windom. I did this around 9:30am. I glissaded several times to get back to Twin Lakes. Beware thin snow cover over the lakes. It was 10:30am by the time I left Twin Lakes again, gunning for Eolus. By this point, I was trudging through mashed potatoes. It also left me with questionable weather at the top. Would not recommend leaving this late. There was some dry trail right by the Twin Lakes, but before long (snow-line was under 13,000' I think) I was on 100% snow again. Snow was very soft and not extremely steep, so I used trekking poles up to the notch where one gains the ridge. I did use crampons this entire time. From the notch, the trail was 100% dry to both summits. Catwalk is very easy. Once past the catwalk, I was surprised by the challenges presented on Mount Eolus's summit block. For one, route finding was impossible. I was exhausted at this point, but I'm pretty sure there were 5+ routes cairned. Unlike Windom, however, the direct line to the summit here was riddled with challenges: loose rocks, scree, occasional mud, and EXPOSURE. The climbing was also generally more difficult than that on Windom. I completed many class 4 moves and probably one or two low 5 moves. The descent offered no clear answers as I found myself down climbing whatever line was in front of me in order to expedite my arrival at the cruiser catwalk. N Eolus would have been a 5 minute trek from the saddle had I been fresh. I was wrecked at this point, though, so it probably took 15-20 minutes to summit. This route is completely dry, straightforward, and contains extremely stable rock in comparison with Eolus. There is an epic glissade available from near the summit of N Eolus. See green arrow on photo. I went from there straight down the fall line to the bottom of the basin below. From here, I walked maybe 20 yards to the right then glissaded down the chute to rejoin the standard descent. This glissade was a huge improvement over descending the standard route, in my opinion. Don't miss it! 

Route: Combo: Eolus, N.Eolus, Sunlight, Windom
Posted On: 7/10/2019, By: Tacocat Climbing
Info: Was able to summit all 4 peaks in one day! Will write the report in the order I climbed them. EOLUS: There is a decent amount of snow on the slopes leading up to the saddle between Eolus and N. Eolus. I used crampons for traction and had my ice axe for safety. It would probably be ok to make it up with just microspikes though you may slip a little on the steepest of sections. Once you reach the saddle it is mostly snow-free to the top. There are well placed cairns all along the class 3 section, making it easy to follow the trail. NORTH EOLUS: Pretty trival peak to get, no snow, a quick hop over from the saddle. SUNLIGHT: Steep snow up to the class 3 section. 100% would recommend crampons. At the top it is steep enough to use the ice axe to help climb. Once I reached the end of the snow, the class 3 section was pretty straight forward, again with cairns showing the way. The last class 4 move at the top was good fun! WINDOM: I stayed on top of the ridge the entire time. Maybe the class 2 path is covered in snow, or maybe I just failed to find it, it seemed pretty class 3 to me on a lot of the upper route, wasnt too much of an issue, pretty safe and easy class 3. It was fun. Could have done it with simply micro spikes for the approach, as once you gain the saddle you can reach the top by avoiding most of the snow. Video of the hike: https://youtu.be/tU2gD_EciXw 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/17/2019, By: fdekalb4
Info: Same info as others about the approach in. All snow/ice bridges would not cross as of Tuesday. My wife fell in partially early Tuesday AM. Was able to cross stream but feet got a bit wet. Once to twin lakes, lots of snow up to the ridge, did use crampons to gain the ridge/catwalk, then smooth sailing. Able to glissade about 1500 ft down which was great fun. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/2/2019, By: ggraf
Info: The avalanche areas are easily circumvented but there are many. Made it to twin lakes with multiple snow crossings. Snow at Twin Lakes maybe six feet or more. Post-holing up to your nut s**k if you don't have snow shoes. Before the turn for the ramp steep/slanted snow and did not attempt. Need more time to melt out. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/26/2019, By: wombat
Info: Coming up the trail, Debris fields at 10,450, 10,750, and 11k. Nothing to scoff at but easily navigable. Snow fields start at around 11k. Most of the switchbacks up to twin lakes covered in snow, but easily avoidable. Crampons essential from twin lakes shelf. Constant snow cover all the way to N Eolus- Eolus saddle. Catwalk generally clear of snow and traversable on rock. After catwalk, we used ledges Climbers left (below) main trail to avoid snow area. Start early, under headlamp if possible. Snow is getting slushy by 0830! 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 9/18/2018, By: dcruz654
Info: Quick update on the Chicago Basin 14ers. Feel free to message me if you need more specifics. Times: Day1: Purgatory Th to 11k in Chi Basin - 8hrs Day2: Camp to twin lakes ~ 1hr Lakes to both Eolus's ~ 2hrs Eoulus to lakes ~ 1hr (some jogging) Lake to sunlight ~ 1.5hrs Sunlight to windom ~ 2hrs windom to camp ~ 2hrs Total time ~ 11 hours. Weather was great all day so we were generous in giving our selves lots of breaks. Day 3: Camp to car - 6hrs flat. We were feeling great and moved very quickly on the return. Purgatory trail is decent up to the Animas crossing. Trail is excellent from there to Needle Creek, makes for quick travel. The last 5 or so miles from the needle creek crossing are the toughest (think steeper). Conditions up high were perfect for all 4 peaks, no snow or moisture as of Sunday. Plenty of water everywhere up to twin lakes, none above that point. Eoulus's trail is excellent to the ramp (thank u cfi). Route finding is pretty easy up both N. Eoulus and Eoulus. Trail up to Sunlight is great until the loose red dirt starts, then it's kinda sh*ty till you hit the notch. From the notch the rock is bomber and there are plenty of cairns. The final move onto the summit block definitely lives up to it's hype. I nearly poo'd myself. Good stuff. Descended down to the bottom of the red dirt then found a traverse over to a few 100' below Windom's saddle that was pretty easy to follow and take (no harder than class 2). From the saddle it was about 30 mins to summit Windom on what I would say is probably one of the harder "class 2's" I have done. Fun, but the page doesn't quite show how much route finding is involved. Definitely not your typical Sawatch class 2 jaunt up a ridge. All in all, doable in 3 days if you can keep a good pace and like doing three 8hr+ days in a row. 

Route: Chicago Basin Approach
Posted On: 9/10/2018, By: Thevirtualsherpa
Info: General Chicago Basin PCR from purgatory. TH to start of Chicago Basin about 15 miles one way. Another 3-4 up to twin lakes depending on where you camp. Not as many goat as I expected but they do come into camp. Hike from campsites to lakes is not super fun, very steep. Both pairs of peaks have good to decent trails. North and Eulos have slightly better trails over sunlight and Windom. Leap of faith on sunlight is probably more airy than the knife edge on Capitol IMO. North and Eulos are well cairned with a fun ride. On Eulos you can follow trail for mellow class 3 summit or choose your own trail for higher class 3/4. Approach is a pain in the ass on the way out, lots of elevation gain on tired legs. Overall a beautiful spot, feel free to message me on IG for more info. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/21/2018, By: alyannkar
Info: Summer conditions. There are SO many cairns up the last pitch. It really is choose-your-own-adventure up there. I backpacked into Chicago Basin from the Purgatory Trailhead the afternoon of 7/19 and then summitted all four peaks the morning of 7/20 and backpacked out later that afternoon. Not quite sure why the longer route to the basin gets a bad rap. It was a gorgeous and mellow trail, easy hiking. There are several trees down towards the end of the Animas River Trail in the mile before the bridge and register where the trail intersects with the Needle Creek Trail and the train stop. The Needle Creek Trail has even more trees down. Otherwise, both trails are in great condition. In Chicago Basin, insects and goats are in full swing. The lower you camp in the basin (or just before the basin), the less you will have to deal with the goats swarming. The trail up to Twin Lakes is beautiful (thanks Colorado Fourteeners Initiative!) and is in summer conditions, as well. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/24/2018, By: Beas
Info: The class 2 ramp as well as the trail just below it have some icy sections. Traction is definitely overkill; just keep your eyes peeled or you might slip. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 6/8/2018, By: RWSchaffer
Info: Aside from a little bit of snow around Twin Lakes, there is no snow until you approach the ramp. There is significant snow below the ramp (first picture) and again below the Eolus-North Eolus ridge (second picture). Once the ridge has been reached, there is no snow on the ridge to North Eolus and only one patch, at the end of the Catwalk (third picture), to negotiate on the way to Eolus. By late afternoon, all of this snow had turned to mush. I used ice axe and spikes. The 416 fire north of Durango has stopped the train and closed US 550 below the Purgatory Trail trailhead (the trailhead is on the east side of US 550 at mile marker 49; closure was south of mile marker 43 when I left and mile marker 44 when I returned). This kept the crowds away; I didn't see another person from when I left the trailhead until I returned. It also makes the air slightly hazy and smelling of smoke, though most smoke has been staying west of Chicago Basin. The final picture looks west from the summit of Eolus. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 5/31/2018, By: Wandertheworld
Info: Just about summer conditions up there already. A little bit of snow at Twin Lakes, and then continuous snow on the trail starting at about 13,300ish just before the ramp that goes up to the flat area before the ridge (near 13,700'). I had cached my traction and snow gear in Chicago Basin and was able to avoid the snow by scrambling up the slabs on the right edge of the ramp. A few more unavoidable snowy sections before the green gully where I was happy to have a trekking pole for balance on the steeps, but I would consider it a luxury. The remaining route is mostly dry and in great shape. A note about the Chicago Basin approach: as this was my first time into the area, I was surprised by the amount of downed trees going across the trail - about 20 or so in total. At one point I thought I might have unknowingly gotten onto a wrong trail and they were put across as blockers, but no. Hopefully they will get cleared out soon, as awkwardly straddling a bunch of tree trunks with a 40 lb pack on your 120 lb frame is super fun. PS: to the rad random dude (Dustin, I think?) that gifted me his MSR spoon after I forgot my cutlery, THANK YOU! So much better than eating Kung Pao noodles with whittled sticks from the forest.