Gray Needle Trip Report 05/06/2026

Report Type	External
Peak(s)	Gray Needle - 13,446 feet "Noname Needle" - 13,617 feet Peak Twelve - 13,119 feet The Index - 13,417 feet Monitor Peak - 13,707 feet Peak Thirteen - 13,725 feet Animas Mountain - 13,789 feet Little Finger - 13,212 feet
Date Posted	05/06/2026
Modified	05/09/2026
Date Climbed	08/27/2025
Author	alexhenes

Needles and Fingers
In August of 2025 J and I ventured into the Weminuche with the goal of climbing a handful of badass peaks in Noname and Ruby Basins. From Needleton, we used the Noname approach and climbed 3 towers on Noname Ridge: - Gray Needle (1953) 5.10 - Gray Needle (Coke Bottle) 5.8 - Noname Needle 5.8 The next day, we moved camp from Noname Basin to Ruby Basin over Peak Twelve. The day after moving camp, we climbed The Index 5.10, Monitor, Thirteen and Animas. On the fifth and final day we climbed Little Finger 5.8 and returned to Needleton where we stayed the night. The next morning we caught the train to Silverton and hitchhiked back to our vehicle in Durango. The five day outing covered 31.6 miles, 14,100ft and 9 awesome summits. This was easily one of the best mountain trips I have been on. Definitely stoked on this one! Detailed reports and GPX files can be found on www.merelyafleshwound.com using the links below: Trip Overview Needleton to Noname (take me to the river) The Mystery and Controversy of Gray Needle Gray Needle(s) and Noname Needle Peak Twelve The Index Monitor - Thirteen - Animas Little Finger Ruby to Needleton Below are a few images to give to you a vibe for the trip... Enjoy! 31.6m - 14,100ft - 5 Day - Nine Summits Beers and Hotdogs Animas Crossing to Noname Noname Approach Gear Noname Ridge Moving Camp to Ruby The Index J and I on the summit of The Index Monitor Thirteen Animas Little Finger Ruby to Needleton Dang He Fine... J hikes to Needleton in his underwear Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Needles and Fingers

In August of 2025 J and I ventured into the Weminuche with the goal of climbing a handful of badass peaks in Noname and Ruby Basins.

From Needleton, we used the Noname approach and climbed 3 towers on Noname Ridge:

- Gray Needle (1953) 5.10
- Gray Needle (Coke Bottle) 5.8
- Noname Needle 5.8

The next day, we moved camp from Noname Basin to Ruby Basin over Peak Twelve.

The day after moving camp, we climbed The Index 5.10, Monitor, Thirteen and Animas.

On the fifth and final day we climbed Little Finger 5.8 and returned to Needleton where we stayed the night.

The next morning we caught the train to Silverton and hitchhiked back to our vehicle in Durango.

The five day outing covered 31.6 miles, 14,100ft and 9 awesome summits.

This was easily one of the best mountain trips I have been on. Definitely stoked on this one!

Detailed reports and GPX files can be found on www.merelyafleshwound.com using the links below:

Trip Overview

Needleton to Noname (take me to the river)

The Mystery and Controversy of Gray Needle

Gray Needle(s) and Noname Needle

Peak Twelve

The Index

Monitor - Thirteen - Animas

Little Finger

Ruby to Needleton

Below are a few images to give to you a vibe for the trip... Enjoy!

23447_01 — 31.6m - 14,100ft - 5 Day - Nine Summits

23447_13 — J and I on the summit of The Index

23447_12 — Dang He Fine... J hikes to Needleton in his underwear

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Anima	Nice reports! 5/7/2026 11:50am Especially liked your summary of the Gray Needle controversy. Brings back great memories from the area.
blazintoes	History need not be a mystery 5/8/2026 8:43am Treating every ridiculous logistical obstacle with total alpine seriousness. 😄 It’s not the despair, I can take the despair. It’s the hope. The old Star-Drives make a pretty compelling witness.
gore galore	Second 5/8/2026 2:23pm On the summary of the Gray Needle controversy.

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