5/15/2025 Posted On: 5/15/2025 By: AlpineSplit Info: Dry until the trail splits to go uphill to Twin Lakes, quite a few fallen trees but not too bad. The forest service team got off the train as we were getting on to head back out to Durango and said they would be up there next week to clear the trees. Easy to hike to Twin Lakes in approach shoes, gore tex might be helpful as the upper trail is a bit of a waterfall. | 1 |
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7/10/2024 Posted On: 7/18/2024 By: jacobslaton Info: Took the train to Needleton from Durango on 7/10. Train dropped off about 2 dozen hikers at 10:35am. The trail was great all the way up to the Chicago Basin, although steep and steady all the way. Lots of great campsites all over with good water access. Mosquitos and biting flies were bad, so be prepared for those. And don't pee in your campsite - the goats and deer will be all over it. | ||||
6/28/2024 Posted On: 6/28/2024 By: Alpineair Info: Tracks have been cleared and the train is running again as of today. | 2 |
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8/8/2022 Posted On: 8/9/2022 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: Trail is great all the way to the basin. Biting flies are bad along the way and it's buggy in the basin. Very green up there. | 2 |
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8/7/2021 Posted On: 8/7/2021 By: cmgaut Info: An awesome trail crew had cleared 100+ trees in the day and a half we were in Chicago basin. They were almost done on our way out, so the trail to Chicago Basin is probably completely clear of trees by now. Huge shoutout to the trail maintenance crew. | 2 |
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7/19/2021 Posted On: 7/19/2021 By: BenjiTheThird Info: 164 trees down on the upper end of the approach to Chicago Basin | ||||
7/18/2021 Posted On: 7/18/2021 By: yaktoleft13 Info: Bad news: the McDonalds is closed until at least October. Gotta get your constipation somewhere else | ||||
6/22/2020 Posted On: 7/8/2020 By: mtn_nut Info: https://durangoherald.com/articles/329082-washout-cuts-off-durango-train-from-silverton-for-eight-to-16-weeks The trailhead will not be accessible by train anytime in the near future. The best alternatives would be starting at Purgatory Flats TH or Vallecito Campground. | ||||
8/29/2018 Posted On: 8/29/2018 By: CO Native Info: All wilderness access services are cancelled for the remainder of the year. http://www.durangotrain.com/wilderness-access#.W4cI3s5KiUk | ||||
6/9/2018 Posted On: 6/9/2018 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: Due to the 416 Fire, near Durango, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has suspended service through at least June 17th, 2018. | ||||
9/5/2017 Posted On: 9/9/2017 By: kayleenann8 Info: Trail is clear of snow. Some water in the trail but nothing major. Tons of camping spots along the trail. | ||||
6/17/2015 Posted On: 6/19/2015 By: Hypersnow Info: Snow solid starting at 12,500 ft in Chicago basin. It's not going anywhere for a few weeks. Recommend anyone trying to climb bring crampons and ice axe. Snowshoes prob not worth it as you should be out of the basin by 11am or risk hip deep postholing. photo#1 - looking back down the trail from the upper basin photo #2 - Sunlight/Windom basin from above Twin Lakes | ||||
5/7/2015 Posted On: 5/8/2015 By: Roca Info: http://www.durangotrain.com/may-7-2015-rockslide-shortens-train-trip#.VUzCj5P3G7Q | ||||
5/20/2014 Posted On: 5/21/2014 By: freeinthehills Info: not a lot of snow on trail. expect to cross a few snow patches starting at 10K or so. there are trenches and frozen debris trails and foot prints to follow to 11.4 or so | ||||
5/26/2013 Posted On: 5/27/2013 By: schrund Info: Just hiked out from Chicago Basin yesterday, and summitted North Eolus on Saturday. Some snow remains but it‘s not significant below Twin Lakes. Above Twin Lakes there are some sizeable snow fields but no show stoppers. The catwalk appeared to have snow on it as viewed from the North Eolus summit ridge. |
