- Dates: August 17th to August 25th, 2024
- Location: Chicago Basin, Colorado (NE of Durango)
- Leader: Per Frost
- Co-Leader: Rick Laidlaw
- Participants: Kevin Danis, Howard Gaston, Vincent Marconi
We had a great trip with no incidents or injuries and was able to summit three 14,000 ft. peaks (Windom Peak – 14,087ft., Eolus Peak – 14,084ft. and North Eolus – 14,039ft.). We had mixed weather with some rain and thunder every day. 2 nights with heavy rain and severe, but relatively short thunderstorms. Generally, however, the weather was pretty good.
Day 1: Arrival Day in Durango. Xfer to Durango Lodge – close to the train station for the Narrow-Gauge Railroad.
Day 2: 2 ½ hour train-ride through Animas Canyon to Needleton TH. 2 ½ miles hiking to our first campsite.
Day 3: 3 ½ mile hike to second campsite in the Chicago Basin. We stayed here until D8.
Day 4: Our first summit day. 5 ½miles / 3,400 ft. of elevation gain to the summit of Eolus Peak and then followed by North Eolus. Excellent weather.
Day 5: 6 miles hike – 2,300 ft. of elevation gain – over Columbine Pass and down to Columbine Lake. We all stripped down and jumped in the lake. It was cold! Explored several old mines.
Day 6: Rest day. Small excursions from our campsite.
Day 7: 5 miles with 2,900 ft. of elevation to Windom Peak (6 ½ hours). Weather less than
optimal with heavy cloud coverage from around 13,000 ft. We were able to navigate safely through the fog (although visibility was poor) to the summit. It did not really rain but last ½ mile to the summit was very wet. Back at the jct. to Sunlight Peak nobody had “appetite” for an attempt on Sunlight Peak which has a short class 4 section.
Day 8: After heavy rain and thunderstorms during the night we were able to break camp and start our trek back to Needleton TH in relatively dry conditions. But soon the rain resumed and we did most of the hike out in full rain gear. Weather improved and we had an enjoyable train-ride back to Durango. Team dinner at a brewpub (Steamworks Brewing Company) in Durango.
Day 9: Xfer to Durango airport and travel home.
Respectfully submitted,
Per Frost
October14, 2024.