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Also, because I sunburn easily, I brought UV protective shirts (the BALEAF womens UPF50 quick-dry shirt). Clearly has not been maintained for a few seasons. That's $100 bucks round-trip for a train ticket! We ended up eating at Diorios Pizza which was pretty good. The weather started to improve a little as we set up the tent and took care of the usual camp chores. While we ate our sandwiches, they grazed about 40 feet away as if we werent even there. Y0ou could really see just ow red it was with a little sunlight. Required fields are marked *. Would you advise camping at Twin Lakes? Lisa was out roaming too, watching the many Ptarmigan birds in the area. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. The correct way to flag the train and let the conductor know youd like to board is by waving your hands across your knees. Getting down to the water and going through the process of purifying the water was a bit of a pain here, but I wanted to get it out of the way in case it started raining again. We did not have gloves (other than one pair of fingerless gloves I use when gathering/breaking firewood and climbing), so our hands were getting a little numb. Miles Hiked 10.4 There was another meadow a mile or so past our camp that would have been a nice place to spend the night. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! Weminuche Wilderness National Geographic map, Black Diamond Alpine carbon trekking poles, MSR PocketRocket Deluxe backpacking stove, Sea to Summit Thermolite sleeping bag liners, Elk Park to Needleton Backpacking Loop (Silverton, CO), Supplemental Privacy Notice For California Residents, Supplemental Privacy Notice For Nevada Residents. There were tons of mines dotting the mountainside, some of which looked pretty difficult to get to. I put my poles away now as I found it necessary to use my hands a little here and there going up some of the boulders. Would that be too early in the season? He sure did look delicious, haha. The first morning of a hike always takes the longest to get going. Ran I to some bad weather that chased us out on the 2nd day but we saw a few moose on this trail. We heard later that there was a porcupine in the area chewing on things, so it couldve been the culprit. Excellent trip report, thanks for doing this. After all, it was Saturday evening. While the wilderness area has many access points, one of the best approaches is from the Durango & Silverton railroad stop of Elk Park, just outside of Silverton. After taking some great photos near the lake, I started heading down. It was only 11:45, so we had 3:45 to wait. I hope your backpacking trip is just as epic as ours was. Every campground, hotel, and intersection we passed, there were people waving at the train. Maybe not a traditional campsite, but it was by far the driest campsite Id seen on this trip yet. Purgetory was the popular trailhead of choice for non-train riders. The food issue didnt bother me much, I was mainly worried about the rodents chewing on our sweaty gear. Would you advise camping at Columbine Lake? He mentioned a possible shortcut to get up here from the Colorado Trail, by going up the drainage. We saw deers, elk, mountain goat, beavers. We got to the train stop at noon and the train picked us up at 3pm. I climbed up the highest hill along the edge which was roughly 12,700ft, which provided awesome views of Eldorado and everything else around. Now through this little plateau area, the trail starts heaving down pretty quick. Trail Name - Elk Park/Needleton Loop Location - Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan National Forest, CO Park Type - National Forest, Wilderness Area Fees & Permits - None Length Of Time Hiked - 6 days, 5 nights Trail Type - Semi loop - Train drops you off and picks you up Miles Hiked - 48 Trail Difficulty - 8 We walked 44 miles vs the 36 listed in the app. Next I found myself on the saddle below the approach to Windom Peak. It took us 7 days to complete it. Had to climb over a hundred trees, no joke. Depending on where you plan to board the train, plan ahead and determine which parking option meets your needs best. I took advantage of the weather and took a ton of pictures up here. Before you head out into the wilderness, make sure you know where youre going! There were no beavers. The plan was to camp at either Kite Lake or Eldorado Lake, whichever looked more appealing. At 36 miles in length, this trip would likely span four or five days for average hikers, and it offers the unique ability to ride the Durango-Silverton train to access the trail. For details on the hike itself, see my post about the various trail segments. Most were quick to check out the shack as we did, so the cinder block and wood plank benches filled up fast. Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton is a 36 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Silverton, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Youll encounter very rocky terrain (skip the zero drop / barefoot style boots on these trails your feet will be too sore!). This is a spectacular trip with abundant scenery and lots of solitude. The rock is slippery and there is nothing to help you balance yourself on this very narrow section of trail, which happens to have a BIG drop on your left. Trail Name - Elk Park/Needleton Loop Location - Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan National Forest, CO Park Type - National Forest, Wilderness Area Fees & Permits - None Length Of Time Hiked - 6 days, 5 nights Trail Type - Semi loop - Train drops you off and picks you up Miles Hiked - 48 Trail Difficulty - 8 My group did it in 5 days, but I would recommend giving yourself 6 or 7 so you aren't having to push yourself to get to the train on time. Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). 1. These guys didnt seem as threatening though. Sure enough, they appeared at the top of the trail heading down to our camp from the main trail. There was another group who did this, and the train staff didn't seem to have any problem with it (we had paid for a RT ticket anyway). Will b taking my 19 yr old son in early August this year for his first extended back country pack trip. There was a snowshoe hare, or multiple hares, that I kept seeing as I gathered wood. We walked down to Needle Creek and took a side path over to a waterfall, but besides that, we spent the rest of the day relaxing in camp mostly. Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road. The only stop on the southbound trail in the afternoon is Elk Park. This will be especially helpful during creek crossings and on downhill areas with loose pebbles. Fortunately it was all downhill, so we could cover some serious ground, which I assumed would be at the expense of my knees. She said that several of them approached the campsite and some got extremely close. The fourth day we hiked from Chicago basin to the needleton train stop, which was an easy ~7 miles downhill. Where the lake began to drain out down the mountainside, there were remnants of an old dam here. We returned back to the shack for a while, but decided to wait at the track 15 minutes prior to its scheduled arrival. We also saw more people this morning than the rest of the trip combined! Your email address will not be published. So much for being packed. I had no way of keeping my gear out of the reach of the rodents. Some of the rocks were covered in ice making them extremely slippery too, so I had to be very careful once I neared the top. - John Glionna, Las Vegas Review-Journal article on the Basin and Range Trail, Watch Pioneering Nevada's Basin and Range Trail on other Streaming Services: Tubi, Xumo, Telus and Filmocracy, Like what you see? As we waited by the tracks, one of the hikers we were talking to in the shack was showing another guy his sleeping pad. Since youll be hiking in the Rocky Mountains, you should be Bear Aware. We saw several deer and prairie dogs before getting into the mountains. There didnt appear to be any evidence of beavers here either. With about five minutes to go before arriving at Elk Park, one of conductors gather all of the backpackers and ask you to head to the front of the train. For suggestions, see my guides to the best womens hiking boots and hiking gear for men. After about 20 minutes of hiking, I ran into my first mountain goats of the day. Obviously I skipped this route on our way up here, opting to go the traditional way up the switchbacks to the CDT, but I was curious if it was doable. There were no other campsites nearby and extremely close to the trail leading up to the three 14ers in Chicago Basin: Windom Peak, Sunlight Peak, and Mt. Awesome, glad it was useful to you. It's mainly visited for hikers departing on overnight backpacking trips into Chicago Basin. We had been told by the forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields in the basin. The trail leading down to Kite Lake from the CDT, View of Kite Lake, before it disappeared in the growing fog. It was well worn and looked much less difficult than I had imagined. This time wasn't as bad as 1993, where my ancient A-frame tent blew down, but I'd suggest doing it in August for longer days and less rain. Wilderness access gives riders an opportunity to book with the intention of getting off the train and getting outdoors. Todays hike was all uphill, but it wasnt too strenuous. We settled for this spot and set up camp by 4pm or so. A full train schedule is available on the Durango Train website. Very good tip report. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Once I gained a few hundred feet in elevation, I could see that there wasnt any threat of getting soaked and I took off the extra layers. We were able to cross the creek by hopping rocks and logs, just as we were able to with every other stream crossing on this trip. The trail flattens out at the basin below Columbine Lake and once you arrive you're in for a real treat. Other trip reports Ive read have indicated that its been this way for years. Here comes my ride! It was a dream and once in a lifetime trip! If needed, when you reach the Vallecito and Johnson Creek trail junction, you could hike about 10 miles to the Vallecito Reservoir, a popular lake area. Route Elk CReek campsite to Eldorado Lake. We didnt take the train so we started at Molas Lake and walked to Needlestop. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. The weather was once again threatening to rain as I made it to the top, finally sitting up on the CDT. Columbine Pass and Chicago Basin probably were the highlights of the trip -- incredibly high and scenic alpine country. At 2:45, we heard a train approaching that sounded its whistle. It was cloudy and grey though, so pictures werent coming out good. I did put a knee brace on, both knees, for the first time ever. Check out this 17.3-mile out-and-back trail near Durango, Colorado. The altitude will affect water filters and food cook time, which is usually explained on the packaging. Prepare to not have a cell signal. We didn't want to risk going up and over Hunchback, down Vallecito, up Johnson Creek, over Columbine Pass and into Chicago Basin. The benefit is being able to skip the train and park at the Lime Mesa TH. However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! It is a fairly difficult hike, but not one that isn't doable. To board at a flagstop, you must be on the east side of the tracks. Our dehydrated meals said they were tested at 5,000-foot elevation, and to double the cook time for every additional 5,000 feet. This entry was posted on August 29, 2013. The Elk Park stop gives you access to the Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Vallecito Creek Trail. The ride is slow and sooty and other than the crying kids that overpopulated our car, the ride really was wonderful. Cant wait to try this trip myself! They were finally able to scare the goats away for good by barking at them like a dog. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. Expect to pay for the train tickets, a baggage fee (for your backpack, which goes in the boxcar train), and an overnight parking fee. As crappy as the weather has been all day, I havent seen any lightning yet. If youre doing the whole Elk Park to Needleton loop, take the Durango-Silverton diesel train north from Durango to Elk Park. Youre hiking at high elevation in a very sunny spot, so protecting your eyes is important. No hot dogs tonight, maybe night 3. Given the popularity of Kite Lake, being right next to a 44 road just outside of the wilderness boundary, I pretty much had my mind set on Eldorado. However, if you can afford it, the train ride is fun, and it sure is nice once you reach Elk Park and realize you don't have to make that 1,700' climb back up to Molas Pass. But there would be no sleeping in tomorrow morning though, because we were off to the Great Sand Dunes National Park! Farther downstream revealed a tall but tiny waterfall before the land leveled out near the lake. I took it out of its stuff sack and unrolled it and the looks on their faces were just priceless. They didnt seem to concerned with our presence though. NOTE: As of 2021, we have been informed that you cannot board the train in Silverton and get dropped off at Needleton. The train moves very slow, around 18 MPH max speed. This is the "fourth bridge" of vallecito creek, north of the vallecito campground/Trailhead. Heres an overview map of the Weminuche Wilderness, which includes trailhead locations. By the time we reached the lake, the peaks around us were completely engulfed by the clouds. PS. Chicago Basin area was very pretty, and not too crowded with tents. In summer, you may want to bring along a bug net to fit over your hat to protect yourself from mosquitoes, gnats and black flies. They can be a lifesaver on a long hike. To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. On the train, make sure to talk to the train staff! I packed a peanut butter sandwich, some jerky, and a Metrx bar to eat later, as well as 2 liters of water. There were cairns here and there marking the way as well, which could be seen since the Twin Lakes. After climbing about a third of the way up to the CDT, I hit a switchback, which I gladly used the rest of the way up. This section of trail is also part of the Colorado Trail, a 400 mile trail that goes from Durango to Denver. Everywhere along the horizon, fog could be seen rising from the mountains. Excellent trip, lots of varied terrain, meadows, forests, small mountain ponds and lakes, avalanche tree slides, large and small rock slides, multiple high passes with great views. Theres also a Deuter backpacking pack thats a standard size, if youre taller than I am! As always, questions and comments are welcome! Straddling sections of the infamous Continental . We played leap frog with the other groups of hikers most of the day as we passed them on their breaks and vice versa. Here, theres a good view of Vestal Peak. This page has a map of the Weminuche Wilderness near the top, with trails and trail heads. When youre in the Chicago Basin, watch for mountain goats! Try this 60.4-km point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. The bridge at Vallecito Creek, near Johnson Creek, is still good. Weve also been testing this Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45 + 5 pack and love it. After checking our gear and getting set up, we were on our way. During the summer months, May-October, adventurers can access the wilderness from the Durango train. You take a train from Durango that. Mojave-Sonoran Trail (2021) There are two main access points for the wilderness: Elk Park and Needleton. After about an hour of rain, thunder and lightning, I gave up on the idea of a fire. Your email address will not be published. All of our gear was dry and life was good. It was eerie and mesmerizing at the same time. After leaving Chicago Basin, the trail was actually kind of boring compared to the rest of our hike. The low clouds were back, engulfing Mount Kennedy southwest of us. Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. Call the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at 1-888-872-4607 to book and make your reservation. Discover this 6.9-mile out-and-back trail near Silverton, Colorado. I did this loop in Late August in the mid 90s and must have gotten a lucky dry weather window. Please be aware that reservations can only be made from Durango and Silverton originations. Yet another day we found ourselves traversing a pass in bad weather. Breathtaking! We made it to Chicago Basin and I made it to the "saddle" of Sunlight peak before talking myself out of going up the rest of the way (regretting it to this day). They watched as I hiked right past them, which I did after taking a few pictures. The skies were pretty blue now and there was abundant sunshine. This was $90 each person for a round trip ticket, plus $10 to each to haul your backpack. The free version of caltopo only allows 5 pages max in your pdf, so just break it up into blocks of 5 pages or less and print out the entire map that way. Small amounts of debris from avalanche on the Needles creek trail but easy to navigate. These odor proof bags have never let me down, and with all the rodents around, it was going to be a real test tonight. Highly recommend! The clouds seemed to be chasing us up Hunchback Pass. 2. Caltopo is pretty awesome if you havent used it already. Or some come at it from the opposite (Needleton) end, via Purgatory Flats Trail and the Animas River Trail (about 10 miles). Where did you get the map? Twin Lakes, still waiting for early morning light to hit tis waters. Plenty water sources, every day at least 2. Have a good hike! Down to Eldorado. The top of Hunchback Pass offered no views, as the visibility was around 200 feet. Por lo general, se considera una ruta moderada, que se tarda una media de 20 h 5 min en recorrer. Eventually, I was able to scare them off pretty good by simply throwing my arms up in the air. I was following a GPX track on my GPS of another person who had hiked this loop, and his track led me off trail a little bit. Getting close to the top of Hunchback Pass. Thankfully, we never needed to press the SOS button, but I was thrilled with the functionality of the map and messaging features. They could not believe how small the pad was, but I got the impression it was too ultralight for them. The pictures dont even come close to being there first hand. Nice! Creating new thru-hiking routes & guides, hiking videos, outdoor documentaries, backpacking trip reports, trail journals, photos and more! We also brought along these touch-screen activewear gloves, Buffs to help protect us from sun (or keep our ears warm), silk thermals for a base layer, and a balaclava to keep warm at night. There were a few more mines along the trail here, and one appeared to be deeper than the others we had explored. They must not have found much in this one and abandoned it. We had to stand guard for a while to make sure they didnt walk right into our camp. The train gives outdoors lovers immediate access to the Weminuche Wilderness and San Juan National Forest for hiking, backpacking, rafting, fishing and other activities. There were at least 5 if not 6 avalanche debris fields on the Elk creek trail. He discourses on his own mortality, about getting too old to have such adventures, and striking your own path in life while you still can." I highly recommend it. We had a lot of rain, starting everyday around 1 pm and lasting for a couple of hours. Vallecito Basin, which lies below Columbine pass, was pretty nice. My husband had an offline map downloaded in his Google Maps app, although we found it to be unreliable in the Vallecito Creek area. Its relatively easy to walk over/around them, but be patient and expect a slight delay. One stream crossing after the Vallecito bridge about mid calf. I knew the vegetation was still wet from last evenings rain, and didnt feel like being soaked to the bone if the trail happens to go through dense foliage. Share Followers 0. 2/21/22 12:49pm. We woke up today at 5:30 and began to slowly pack up camp. Carry a comfortable pack with a water reservoir. Yes, either hiking boots or hiking shoes are a very good idea on these trails. Elk Park Train Stop to Needleton Moderate 4.6 (42) Weminuche Wilderness Photos (363) Directions Print/PDF map Length 37.5 miElevation gain 8,579 ftRoute type Point to point Head out on this 37.5-mile point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. Very useful. Oregon Desert Trail (2022) *Coming Soon We got off the train at elk park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day. We met others that were completing this 36-40 mile trip as we were walking into the wilderness from Needleton. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. Molas Lake to Animas River via Molas Trail, Vestal Basin via Colorado and Elk Creek Trail, Stony Pass, ATV Trail 821, and Cinnamon Pass OHV Route. Had never seen so many mountains (we're from OK). The Durango-Silverton railroad heading north to Elk Park. By the time we were leaving the treeline behind, foul weather had returned. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 19 h 35 min to complete. One mine was fairly close to the trail, so we took a quick detour and had a look inside. West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. Maybe, MAYBE in a low snow year but from what I can tell the west is getting quite a bit of powder this year so my guess would be July before the route is fully snow free. Elk Park/Needleton Loop, Colorado. More views ruined by the weather, and as a result I took few pictures in this area. Looking for a 40-60 mile, week trip. Early morning often leaves thick fog in valleys, only to be burnt away later by the sun. Now back on the trail, we started gaining elevation en route to Hunchback Pass. For comparison, where we live is around 800 feet above sea level. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. I purified some more water for todays hike and ate breakfast, a Metrx bar and some granola & almonds. Our brakeman Sam was a wealth of knowledge about any kind of train-related questions we had. Especially considering the status of cell phone service (which well discuss below). The Needleton stop also gives you access to the Needle Creek Trail, Johnson Creek Trail and the Chicago Basin. One of the things that makes this loop so special is that the trailheads can both be reached via the Silverton-Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad, a tourist train pulled by a steam locomotive that has been used in dozens of . As the evening progressed, we saw several deer both near our camp and off in the distance. Our morning routine is a little more polished now, and we were on the trail by 7am. It was about 1/3 the size of his sleeping pad, and as far as I know, is the lightest one on the market at 9.1 ounces. Miles: 45 Days: 6-8 Difficulty: Strenuous. There is no cover up here by Eldorado Lake, which sits well above the treeline at 12,300ft. Done over 5 nights and 6 days. Still, I was glad to have spent the night at Eldorado Lake. This is when the fog really started growing. As of the 2013 season, a round-trip ticket is $90.10 + $10.00 for your pack. We were on the trail at 7:30, and saw a few more goats as we made our way out of Chicago Basin. Lisa was quite scared here, and it took a lot of coaxing to get her to move. The San Juan mountains are notorious for being snowy and the best time is probably mid July to Mid September. Its also a good idea to drink lots of water (more so than at sea level). Enjoy the hike, its a good one! Did this in and back turning around a waterfall. Our total distance was about 42 miles. Although it was monsoon season during our trip, we were told that the coal cinders often start forest fires. Excellent views all around. Miles Hiked 5.4 If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. The trail follows Elk Creek, and I believe it was called the Elk Creek Trail. The water was deep and fast flowing here. Everything was wet, including my feet. It seems that most people in Chicago Basin came from the Needleton stop, hiked here, and turned around and went back the way they came. It was almost comical how many people waved at us as the train chugged through town. It was slippery and a little scary in the rain. Also, this area of the Weminuche has quite the rodent population. This is where Eldorado Lake drains off the mountainside and down to the Miners Cabin area we passed earlier today, Looking up at 13,627ft White Dome from the Eldorado Lake drainage. The hiker who told me about the mice up here had camped here last night. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. When taking a train leaving from Durango, you need to be in your seat 30 minutes before departure. After realizing that, I looked around and could see where the trail picked up again, and started hiking directly towards the trail in the distance. I just forwarded the link so he get get psyched up! Thats for water drainage, and maybe goats. I laughed and told him how I lost the trail before it headed up. To my amazement, the sky was 100% clear when I woke up at 5:30 this morning. Wed been in Colorado a week now, doing other cool stuff like the Colorado National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park, Denver & Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park, Telluride, etc. Lisa made it up 15 minutes later, but we didnt stick around too long. Not once did we get wet crossing a stream. Nearly everyone who comes by Needleton does so via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. If we werent wet and hungry, I might have stopped to check it out further, but again, we were on a mission to find camp. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. This route includes 3 trails. There was a lot of toilet paper and poop laying around near some of the campsites though, evidence of heavy usage. In addition to us, there was also a group of 2, 3, and 4 other hikers who also got off the train. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker. Im assuming forest service will clear this soon. Go to the print button at the top and choose print to pdf. Not too bad, but this was definitely not a class 2+ as described on 14ers.com. This is a popular trail for birding and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Elk Park Stop Elk Creek Trail This trail travels east from the railroad, climbing into the upper reaches of the Needle Mountains. I was . A hiking boot is preferable. Any way to access this trail without riding the train? Happy trails! Highlights were kite lake, columbine pass, and Chicago basin. We just finished this trail. After a nice relaxing break, we hit the trail again. We did this trip in September. On day one, between the Elk Park Train Drop Off Trail Head and Beaver Pond, we encountered 3 large debris fields. Note that these satellite device options typically require that you have an active subscription to use the features. By the time Lisa made it to the top, we had to continue down the other side immediately. It even had some rails leading in and out of it. It rained a little very briefly when I got back, then was party sunny the rest of the day with only a few intermittent showers. A friend and I attempted this horseshoe hike in reverse last weekend (Aug 14). This was a class 3 in my opinion. With no campfire, stars to gaze at, or any other reason to remain awake, we went to bed as the sun went down. Whitewater trips for more experienced adventurers. Todays hike will take us the rest of the way up the Elk Creek drainage along the Colorado trail, where well hit the Continental Divide Trail, or CDT. Very isolated in the middle of the trail, we only saw 1 other person each day. You can download the GPX file here: http://metalbackpacker.com/wp-content/uploads/gpx/WeminucheRouteHiked.gpx. We camped at ~9300 ft. One of the biggest drawing points of the Elk Creek trail is the unique opportunity to combine a Wilderness trip with a ride on a steam locomotive. Fog billowed from distant peaks, and it was pretty dark around me as well now. Some streams had a lot of flash flood debris jammed up in certain points, more so than wed seen in other areas. When youre leaving from Durango, youll need to have your gear in the boxcar at least 45 minutes before departure. The rain subsided and we dipped below the clouds into a new valley. We had a couple of long days and some short days with lots of time to relax. Elk Park to Needleton Backpack Loop 5,560 views Aug 5, 2008 9 Dislike Share Save Elizabeth Black 394 subscribers From the steam engine train we backpack for 6 days on a 40 mile loop out in. The water is gorgeous. Without going closer, theres no way of knowing what the rest of it looked like. Route Vallecito Creek Bridge to Chicago Basin. The Weminuche Loop is a classic 40-50 mile horseshoe hike that starts at Elk Park and ends at Needleton. I forced myself to get out of the tent and go explore the area. I am really loving the granola & almonds, its chocked full of complex carbs and good fats, perfect for hiking. It was a little windy last night, which can make it hard to sleep. The Elk Park stop gives you access to the Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Vallecito Creek Trail. There were a bunch of waterfalls along Needle Creek though.