Join me in an exploratory backpacking trip through the Weminuche Wilderness; the largest wilderness area in Colorado. We will take the Durango Silverton train from Durango to drop us off at the Elk Park trailhead. From there, we will backpack 5 nights/6 days along parts of the Colorado Trail, CDT, and explore the Chicago Basin giving access to 3 of Colorado’s 14’ers. There are no restrictive permits (as of now), and hopefully, it will give us some flexibility with our campsites. This is high-altitude backpacking, and we start out at 9,000 feet, climbing up to 12,800 feet (unless you opt to explore one of the 14’ers). It’s imperative you know your fitness level because you don’t want to be that person who holds up the group. Day 1: Fly into Albuquerque. Get a flight that lands before 1:00 pm. We will pick up the van, have a quick lunch and drive 3 hours to the Ah-Shi- Sle-Pah Wilderness. We will hike an easy 2-3 miles and explore the hoodoos along the Valley of Dreams trail. We will then drive another 2 hours to our Airbnb/hotel in Durango where we stay for 1 night. https://sailingstonetravel.com/valley -of-dreams-alien-throne/ Day 2: We will take the train to the Elk Creek Trailhead stop and hike along the ElK Creek/Colorado Trail. The goal is to find a campsite around the 6-mile mark at 2,000 elevation gain. https://www.durangotrain.com/wilderne ss-access/ Day 3: Pack up camp EARLY and get out on the trail around 7:30 am. This will be a long day on the trail. Just before we get to the CDT, there is a steep pass with > 25 switchbacks, and we also climb over Huntchback Pass. We want to get to the CDT and over the pass before afternoon thunderstorms. The goal this day is 8 miles at 2,700 elevation gain. Day 4: Head out and continue along the trail. This will be another long and challenging day at 10 miles and 1,000 elevation gain. Day 5: Pack up early and climb over Columbine Pass and get to the Chicago Basin to set up camp for two nights. 8 miles and 3,400 elevation
