July should be just fine, Kevin, especially beyond mid-month. I haven't used the train, but plenty of photographers do. You could get off at Needleton and pack up into Chicago Basin, but that's a crowded place. You could take it up to Elk Park and hike the Colorado Trail up Elk Creek in the Grenadiers (Arrow, Vestal, the Trinities). I suggest you look at Jack Brauer's site for photo ops (http://www.widerange.org/gallery/san-juan-mountains/. Either that, or you'll look at all the great stuff he's done from the area and give up, sell all your camera gear and go sell insurance or something.
I should add that there are more ways into the Needles than the train. Stony Pass, Andrews Lake TH, Highland Mary Lakes (more Grenadiers than Needles, but all part of the same awesome area). Or you could do the long slog up Vallecito Creek or depart from the Rio Grande Reservoir area.
I thought the train might be kind of a fun bonus to the trip, never actually been on one... If that train doesn't work I will investigate some of the other options. I was ready about a hike into the Highland Mary Lakes area as well. I am a little concerned with how busy I've heard the Chicago Basin can get...
My biggest concern was what to expect for weather in July, was thinking about going around the full moon which is mid month. I will have to check in with the ranger district when my trip gets closer to see what the conditions are like.
Jack definitely has some awesome images from the area, I was actually on his site the other day after doing a search on the needles mountains....I can only hope to have some conditions like he captured...
Kevin, usually by mid-July (through Labor Day), the summer rains/"monsoons" have begun where moisture streaming from the south leads to afternoon thunderstorms. In a good monsoon season, thunderstorms will be almost daily. You may wish to investigate "el nino" and "la nina" forecasts for this summer. Hope you have a great venture.
I did a trip towards the Grenadiers from Stony Pass a few years ago. The trip report is here. The hike was more difficult than the topos would lead you to believe, and the monsoonal rains kept me tent bound for much of the time. But it was still a rewarding trip with incredible views. FWIW, snow levels are WAY above normal this year. If it were me, I'd plan for end of July...
Chicago Basin is busy for a reason - it's spectacular. Start your trip on a weekday and get up there without fooling around too much - you'lll find a good site that's peaceful. There are also USFS staff up there helping folks with available areas. Set up for a couple of days, then hike around the Needle Range. The crowds really thin out once you leave Chicago. You can exit at Elk Park and flag down the train for the return trip. As Doug said, monsoon rains can really add to the adventure - when it's really stormin' it can start in late morning. Or, they can miss the valley you're in and hammer one drainage over.
The Weminuche Wilderness is a fantastic area of which the Needles and Grenediers are my favorite areas. I have backpacked into them from several directions and any of them are outstanding hikes. Vallecito Res (two day march up the valley), Molas Lakes (avoids taking the trains but its a long way down and then back up from Lakes to river), Highland Mary Lakes, and Rio Grande Res(I prefer the west side of the divide, better peaks than in this area)
I usually was more interested in climbing than photography back then and we would go 3-4 week of June so we would hit snow.
The peaks in the Needles and Grenediers are outstanding for both climbing and photography. All of the areas and ways in could be neat but the areas around the peaks offer the best photography.
Look for images of Vestal Peak, Arrow Peak, and Wham Ridge in the Grenediers. You will see why the climbing is fantastic and some nice photo locations.
In the Needles, I really like the area around the pass you cross between Chicago Basin and Vallecito Creek. I went over that on a foggy, low cloud, rainy day and it was right out of Tolkien and the Misty Mountains.
Another really great location is to start at Vallecito Res and go up the Pine River, turn up past Emerald Lake (nice area itself) and get up to Half Moon Lakes at the head of the valley. Super location one could spend a couple of nights at. You can then loop over the pass and either down the next creek back to Pine River or a longer route down toward Vallecito Creek.
Kane Englebert would be another good brain to pick. I've never been there, but from what I've seen, I would head straight into the Grenadiers, though that's not to say that the Needles proper don't look seriously awesome. If you haven't already, look for trip report on 14ers.com, there's a lot of detail to be had there about routes off the main trails, and some pretty decent photos too if you dig around.
Thanks for all the great information guys, really appreciate the advice!! I will get in touch with the fellow members mentioned and check out the links provided..
As for the monsoons, going mid July or mid August make any difference?
I will definitely have to check out the snow pack conditions per Scott Bacon's information...
Discussion
9 repliesHey guys,
Was considering doing a backpacking trip in the needle mountains this summer, and could use any tips/advice you can offer.
Was thinking about going during July, but wasn't sure how the snow pack was this year, maybe July is too early?
Thinking about taking advantage of the Durango railway to drop off at the trailhead as well, any tips for using this service?
Just gathering as much info as possible for the trip, any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Kevin
I should add that there are more ways into the Needles than the train. Stony Pass, Andrews Lake TH, Highland Mary Lakes (more Grenadiers than Needles, but all part of the same awesome area). Or you could do the long slog up Vallecito Creek or depart from the Rio Grande Reservoir area.
I thought the train might be kind of a fun bonus to the trip, never actually been on one... If that train doesn't work I will investigate some of the other options. I was ready about a hike into the Highland Mary Lakes area as well. I am a little concerned with how busy I've heard the Chicago Basin can get...
My biggest concern was what to expect for weather in July, was thinking about going around the full moon which is mid month. I will have to check in with the ranger district when my trip gets closer to see what the conditions are like.
Jack definitely has some awesome images from the area, I was actually on his site the other day after doing a search on the needles mountains....I can only hope to have some conditions like he captured...
Kevin
I don't think he'd mind if you emailed him any questions. He's always been very helpful when I have.
I usually was more interested in climbing than photography back then and we would go 3-4 week of June so we would hit snow.
The peaks in the Needles and Grenediers are outstanding for both climbing and photography. All of the areas and ways in could be neat but the areas around the peaks offer the best photography.
Look for images of Vestal Peak, Arrow Peak, and Wham Ridge in the Grenediers. You will see why the climbing is fantastic and some nice photo locations.
In the Needles, I really like the area around the pass you cross between Chicago Basin and Vallecito Creek. I went over that on a foggy, low cloud, rainy day and it was right out of Tolkien and the Misty Mountains.
Another really great location is to start at Vallecito Res and go up the Pine River, turn up past Emerald Lake (nice area itself) and get up to Half Moon Lakes at the head of the valley. Super location one could spend a couple of nights at. You can then loop over the pass and either down the next creek back to Pine River or a longer route down toward Vallecito Creek.
Have fun and bring plenty of bug juice.
As for the monsoons, going mid July or mid August make any difference?
I will definitely have to check out the snow pack conditions per Scott Bacon's information...
Kevin