Chicago Basin Winter 2022

The Chicago Basin peaks were at the top of my priority list this winter, and actually were on my list of goals for the previous winter as well, but conditions just never made it possible. My hero Beard McQueen and I had been talking about teaming up to get Chi Basin for a bit before the start of winter, but he ended up getting down there sooner than I could get enough time off work to join him. A few weeks after his trip, I had a week off work and conditions ended up looking good for me to give it a shot. And thanks to the great trench provided by McQueen, Angry and Blazintoes, it would be a bit easier. I owe those 3 big time.

I drove down to Durango on Saturday 1/22 to stay the night and get an early start Sunday morning.

Goal was to be hiking Sunday morning by 6 am, didn't quite make it. First mistake was trusting Google Maps to know where the Purgatory Trailhead was, it lead me down some residential area that I followed for a few miles before realizing I wasn't in the right place. Found the trailhead, but no parking around so I went across the highway and parked at the ski resort, adding about a half mile to the trip each way. I was hiking just before 7am.

Dark start to the day, but the initial hike was downhill and well packed. I had no way to attach my snowshoes to my pack, so first few miles down to the river I just carried them by hand.

From the first part of the river I started climbing, there were 3 sections along this segment that had steep, stiff snow that you wouldn't want to slip on, you'd end up in the river.

Everything was good so far, but I had a long day ahead of me. I really had no idea how long it would take me to get to the basin, I wasn't even sure I'd get there on day 1. Told my SAR crew I hoped to get there in a day, but might take until after dark. I had enough junk food, er, rations to last 5-6 days if needed.

After reaching the Cascade train stop, I crossed the bridge and started following the train tracks, they were plowed for a few miles, I took off my snowshoes and carried them again.

After 5 or 6 miles on the tracks, I was finally at the Needleton bridge.

Took a break at the cabin to give my shoulders some relief and eat a bit, as I knew the toughest part of the day was about to start, a 6 mile, 3,000' elevation gain hike up to the basin. I was making much better time than expected, and was pretty excited at the possibility of setting up camp before dark.

I made it to camp right at 3:30, I never expected to make that kind of time, just under 9 hours from start. Apple and Garmin both agreed on distance for the day, a hair over 18 miles.

Beard had given me some great beta on a water source just above camp, so after setting everything up I put my snowshoes back on and took all my bottles up to find it. It was about a half mile away, and a complete lifesaver not having to melt snow. After filling all my bottles and getting back to camp, I ate some junk food and was in bed by 6pm. I set my alarm for 2:30 am, again unsure how long my day was going to be, but I really wanted to get all 4 peaks on Monday, as a cold front was moving in Tuesday and temps were forecasted to drop 10°-15°.

I barely slept Sunday night, maybe an hour. I wasn't cold, I think just anxious. I woke around 2am, and decided to just get the day started. Hardest part of getting ready was getting my boots on, they were pretty much frozen. Thermometer showed 15°. I was hiking by 2:30am.

The trench was in place and easy to follow until reaching treeline, from there I found it and lost it a few times. My plan was to get Sunlight and Windom first, then go for Eolus. Plans don't always work out. As I was making my way up to Twin Lakes, it felt like I should have been at the lakes by now, I pulled out my phone and looked at my position. I had unknowingly started angling left towards Eolus, and was nearing 13,000'. I changed plans.

As I reached the ramp on Eolus' standard route, I was getting really great traction on the steep snow next to the ramps, so I went with it. Made it to the saddle between N. Eolus and Eolus and left my snowshoes. Normally I'd go up Eolus first and do North on return, but I was at least an hour from sunrise so went up North Eolus first.

After getting back to the saddle, I put crampons on to ascend Eolus. The ridge to Eolus is a really fun section, I had done it this past summer so was fairly familiar with it. Far better than the standard route, which really isn't possible in winter anyway. Made it to Eolus' summit just as the sun began to rise, it was incredible. My favorite pictures this trip are from the summit of Eolus.

Spent plenty of time at summit snapping pictures, it was one of those once in a lifetime photographer's opportunities. Made my way down from Eolus, now feeling good that I'd likely be able to get all 4 peaks today.

Getting to Sunlight next wasn't terribly hard, but the snow had softened up just a bit in the morning sun. After reaching the top of the gully to Sunlight, I left my snowshoes and continued on.

Once reaching the top of Sunlight, I set up my tripod, and went about getting up to the summit block. Couldn't get traction on the big rock leading up to it as my boots were wet, so put crampons, which worked great. Fortunately not much wind today.

A few more shots from Sunlight:

Retraced back to the base of the gully, ready to go straight across and get Windom next.

Windom wasn't difficult, made good time up to the top, hung out for a bit as weather was good and I had 5G service.

No issues getting off Windom, was glad I'd be finishing in daylight so I could get some pics of what I missed in the morning darkness.

Made it back to camp just before dark, I was in bed by 6pm, completely thrilled and fulfilled that I was able to get all 4 peaks. Sent a message to my SAR friends that I'd be heading to the car whenever I woke up Tuesday.

I didn't sleep an ounce that night, but knew I needed to rest my legs before the next day, so I just laid in bed. I'm taking sleeping pills next time. At 3 am I got up and started packing, was on the trail hiking about 3:40.

Hardest part of the return trip was from camp to Needleton, the descending motion was murder on my shoulders from the pack weight. Beyond that the return was uneventful, though it took longer getting out than getting in. A few pictures from the return trip:

A few certificates of appreciation on my windshield when I got back to the car. Not sure what I did wrong, I wasn't blocking anybody, and there was another vehicle parked next to me. <shrug>

Trip stats by day.

Big thanks to Blazintoes, Beard McQueen and Angry for being the beta/trenchers for this trip, it would have taken me at least a day or 2 longer without the great trench. Thanks for reading.