Weminuche Wilderness

Join me in an exploratory backpacking trip through the Weminuche Wilderness; the largest wilderness area in Colorado. We will take the Durango Silverton train from Durango to drop us off at the Elk Park trailhead. From there, we will backpack 5 nights/6 days along parts of the Colorado Trail, CDT, and explore the Chicago Basin giving access to 3 of Colorado’s 14’ers.

There are no restrictive permits (as of now), and hopefully, it will give us some flexibility with our campsites. This is high-altitude backpacking, and we start out at 9,000 feet, climbing up to 12,800 feet (unless you opt to explore one of the 14’ers). It’s imperative you know your fitness level because you don’t want to be that person who holds up the group.

Day 1: Fly into Albuquerque. Get a flight that lands before 1:00 pm. We will pick up the van, have a quick lunch and drive 3 hours to the Ah-Shi- Sle-Pah Wilderness. We will hike an easy 2-3 miles and explore the hoodoos along the Valley of Dreams trail. We will then drive another 2 hours to our Airbnb/hotel in Durango where we stay for 2 nights.  

https://sailingstonetravel.com/valley -of-dreams-alien-throne/

Day 2: We will take the train to the Elk Creek Trailhead stop and hike along the ElK Creek/Colorado Trail. The goal is to find a campsite around the 6-mile mark at 2,000 elevation gain.

https://www.durangotrain.com/wilderne ss-access/

Day 3: Pack up camp EARLY and get out on the trail around 7:30 am. This will be a long day on the trail. Just before we get to the CDT, there is a steep pass with > 25 switchbacks, and we also climb over Huntchback Pass. We want to get to the CDT and over the pass before afternoon thunderstorms. The goal this day is 8 miles at 2,700 elevation gain. 

Day 4: Head out and continue along the trail. This will be another long and challenging day at 10 miles and 1,000 elevation gain. 

Day 5: Pack up early and climb over Columbine Pass and get to the Chicago Basin to set up camp for two nights. 8 miles and 3,400 elevation gain. This area should be beautiful, though it could be more crowded than the other areas of the backpacking trail.

Day 6: Free day in the Chicago Basin. We can explore Twin Lakes, one of the 14ers, or just hang out at the campsite.  

Day 7: Pack up by noon and take our time to get to the Needleton stop to catch the train back to Durango. It’s 5 miles and downhill. The train picks us up around 4:30 p.m. and takes about 2.5 hours to return to Durango. We will stay one night in an Airbnb or hotel.

Day 8: Leave Durango early to drive approximately 3 to 4 hours to Albuquerque airport. I plan to book a flight home for this day that leaves after 12 pm or later.

Meet up at the Albuquerque airport

We start at an elevation of 9,000 feet for this point-to-point backpacking event. You must train for the event. It will be beautiful, though challenging, and have some "type B" fun along the way. 

Mountain weather can be volatile, and everyone in the group needs to be flexible with whatever is thrown our way. Some days may require leaving camp early (sunrise) to allow us time to cross a high-altitude pass and avoid dangerous afternoon storms. We might have to hike only a few miles one day and several the next. Given the weather, crowds, etc., everyone must be flexible with whatever is thrown our way.  

I am looking for fellow backpackers who have strong, independent, and low-drama personalities.  A minimum of 4 people can make this trip work with a maximum of 8 people. All AOC members are welcome to sign up; I will be selecting the group based on the following criteria:

• Time of sign-up
• Strength of backpacking experience 
• Activity in the club
• Low drama personality 
• Fit within the group dynamic
• Roommate situation 

At signup time, you will initially be placed on the waiting list. The group will be selected based on the above criteria, and you will be added to the active roster and given a link to pay. Once the attendee roster is published, I will give attendees a time frame for paying.  

Failure to pay within the given timeframe will result in your removal from the active roster.

I couldn't find too many YouTube videos of this point-to-point backpacking trip, though here is one to give you an idea of the scenery and terrain. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNDeluMzANQ&t=380s

Fees

The anticipated cost for each person is approximately $650, and a deposit of $300 is due on February 1, 2026. I tried to be conservative with my estimate, and it will cover the following:

• Rental Car – The final amount will depend on how many people sign up. If we have eight, I will try to rent a large van so we have plenty of room to store our luggage while backpacking. Probably $2100.
• Gas +/- $200
• Hotel/double occupancy x 2 nights. Durango should be +/- $120 pp/night. Looking to book at the Adventure Inn. 
• Train ticket - $125 pp

You are responsible for your flight and food. 

If you drop off the trip, you will be responsible for finding a replacement so the other participants don't have to divide your share of the cost. 

You are also responsible for paying the AOC the non- refundable $25.00 administrative fee. 

The TL for this event has elected to personally collect the funds that event participants are required to pay or to require participants to pay funds directly to a third party. No funds will be paid to the Atlanta Outdoor Club for this event. By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree that: (1) the monies paid by registrants will not be monitored, managed, or otherwise accounted for by the Atlanta Outdoor Club; (2) the Atlanta Outdoor Club bears no financial responsibility for this event; and (3) you waive any claims against the Atlanta Outdoor Club, and hold the Atlanta Outdoor Club harmless for the loss of any monies you paid for this event.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any paid registrant may request directly from the TL(s) a breakdown of funds collected, estimated expenses, and deposits made in anticipation of the event, before the event. Within 30 days after the event, the TL(s) must complete a financial accounting of monies collected and spent, along with supporting documentation; any attendee may ask to see this accounting. If you cannot obtain the requested documentation, please get in touch with the Director of Paid Events.