Backpacking in the Weminuche Wilderness | Elk Park Stop to Needleton Trail | San Juan Mountains

[@blazingwanderers]

Thanks for watching! The campsite coordinates for night two are 37° 40’ 30.972” N, 107° 31’ 32.418” W. It’s a nice little meadow off to the right of the trail, about 50 yards off trail. There will be a faint trail through some grass to get to it. I started in Durango mainly because I have a friend who lives there and she let me stay at her house before/after my hike. Another reason was the time tables to get dropped off -coming from Silverton, the train stops at Elk Park around 11:30am, so you have most of the afternoon to hike. I believe coming from Silverton it comes south later in the afternoon. On the return, I had to be at Needleton by 1 pm for the train back to Durango. Not sure what time you need to be there to catch it in the north direction. I called the train company to purchase my tickets to be sure I had the correct tickets for these stops and they were very helpful!! Have fun! I will be in Maroon Bells and RMNP this summer backpacking!!

[@HappyJacque]

Well done! 👍

[@charitohagad4662]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures and your hiking. We’re going next week to do a hike from Elk Park Trail train stop to the Continental Divide as this is going to be my first longer hike. Wish me luck!

[@blazingwanderers]

Good luck! The view from the intersection of the trail with CDT is so worth it! Wishing you good weather as well!

[@charitohagad4662]

@@blazingwanderers Thank you! We’re looking forward to it.

[@charitohagad4662]

❤

[@jasonkamm5537]

Thanks for the great video. How does this trip compare to Rae Lakes Loop in both scenery and difficulty?

[@blazingwanderers]

@@jasonkamm5537 For scenery, CA is a bit drier and more rugged, whereas CO is a bit greener in places. The section of the loop from the Kite Lake down to the Vallecito bridge was lush and green, however, there was so much beetle damage. I must have climbed over 100 trees on the stretch, no joke. As far as difficulty, I think the CW route on the Rae Lakes Loop is easier. It is a slow gradual build over a few days up to Glen Pass. In CO, this route has two big passes to climb and a small one up to Hunch back pass, so it's a bit more up and down in the elevation. When I hiked Rae Lakes loop solo, I had already completed 6 days and 50+ miles on the CT, so my legs and lungs were a bit more ready. For Elk Park, this was my first trip out of the season, and I could really feel it (I live in TX by the way). They are both great hikes, but if you had to make me choose, I would pick Rae Lakes as my favorite of the two!

[@gregchenoweth8963]

Thanks for sharing. Some buddies and I are planning this hike for late July. Would you share the coordinates of your 2nd night campsite? Also was there a reason you started from Durango rather than Silverton?