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Author:
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Backpacker Magazine
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Activity:
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Hiking
ActivitySearchHiking
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State:
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Colorado (CO)
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Distance:
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22.6 mi
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Difficulty:
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8 / 10
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Rating:
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 1 rating(s)
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This mini-expedition into the San Juans begins on the historic Durango & Silverton Railroad. Jump off at Needleton and hike 6.5 miles to camp in Chicago Basin under the turrets of the Needle Mountains.
Climb Sunlight first, via the scree-filled Red Couloir. Sunlight’s apex is a perched block of granite that could well serve as your headstone if you slip while attempting the exposed crux move required to reach it (picture climbing onto a fireplace mantel with a 100-foot drop to one side). There’s no dishonor in simply touching its base. Windom Peak is less than 1 mile away, but you’ll give up nearly 1,000 feet before climbing the west ridge. The next morning, head for Eolus. After a steep 3 miles, the exposure at the Catwalk may leave you knock-kneed, but careful scrambling will soon win the summit. Got another day? Soak up the softer pleasures of the Weminuche Wilderness: grassy meadows, swaying firs, and sunlight on granite spires.
-Text by Dougald MacDonald
-Mount Eolus and Sunlight Peak mapped by Lisa Ganz
TO TRAILHEAD: Take the Durango and Silverton train to Needleton. From train station, cross bridge over Animas River to reach Needleton Trailhead.
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Datum: |
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Mount Eolus
| Dist: 9.42 mi |
Points: 2764 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Mount Eolus via Needleton Trailhead
Sunlight Peak
| Dist: 9.24 mi |
Points: 2507 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Sunlight Peak via Needleton Trailhead
Windom Peak
| Dist: 9.13 mi |
Points: 2552 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Windom Peak via Needleton Trailhead
EOL001
Location: 37.633171°, -107.692070°
From the Needleton trailhead, head SW along the Animas River toward Needle Creek
EOL002
Location: 37.623287°, -107.694778°
Turn L @ T onto Needle Creek Trail; follow trail to the SE toward Chicago Basin
EOL003
Location: 37.601826°, -107.624664°
Trail curves to the NE as it enters Chicago Basin
EOL004
Location: 37.606415°, -107.619278°
Continue straight @ T; Columbine Pass Trail enters on the R
EOL005
Location: 37.612064°, -107.609879°
Set up camp in Chicago Basin. To begin summit climbs, bear L, heading N on steep terrain toward Twin Lakes
EOL006
Location: 37.616581°, -107.610115°
Continue following steep, climber's trail to the N on grassy slopes; a small creek cascades down small rocks on the R
EOL007
Location: 37.621761°, -107.607903°
From Twin Lakes, turn L @ T to summit Mt. Eolus, then traverse W under steep, rock face
EOL008
Location: 37.621048°, -107.613708°
Head WNW to ascend basin tucked below Mt. Eolus's E face
EOL009
Location: 37.624439°, -107.620880°
Turn L on saddle connecting Mt. Eolus and North Eolus; head SW on narrow, exposed ridge
EOL010
Location: 37.621784°, -107.622681°
Mt. Eolus (14,083 ft.): Look out across remote, rugged landscapes from this wind-blown peak. Retrace steps to WPT 7, then continue straight to summit Sunlight Peak and Windom Peak
EOL011
Location: 37.622814°, -107.602737°
To climb Sunlight Peak, bear L @ Y and head NE through basin. To tackle Windom Peak, bear R @ Y
EOL012
Location: 37.624924°, -107.595810°
Climb open, rocky slopes below Sunlight Spire to a small gully
EOL013
Location: 37.626232°, -107.595032°
Head N; scramble up E side of summit block to reach Sunlight's small, exposed summit (some Class 4 maneuvering required)
EOL014
Location: 37.627357°, -107.595787°
Sunlight Peak (14,059 ft.): Savor hard-won panoramas of untamed wilderness; retrace route
EOL015
Location: 37.621311°, -107.591896°
Windom Peak (14,082 ft.)
