Wilderness Access

Did you know that many passengers utilize the Durango & Silverton Railroad to access the San Juan National Forest and Weminuche Wilderness? Backpacking, day hikes and river access are available for casual hikers and fishermen as well as adventurous travelers.

2010 Short Stop Information

The two main access locations are at Needleton, the entrance to Chicago Basin; and Elk Park, access point to the Colorado Trail. Please refer to the timetable below to find the dates & times of the train scheduled to allow pick up and drop off at these flagstops. Call our reservation office for dates and times of other flagstops. Elevations range from 8,000 feet at trailheads to over 14,000 at the peaks. Trail conditions often change rapidly; please be well prepared! For information regarding trail conditions, to acquire a trail map, or to purchase back country insurance, contact the U.S. Forest Service at 970-247-4874.

Reservations and Ticketing:

Reservations should be made in advance through the Durango ticket office. Round- trip or one- way reservation can only be made for Durango or Silverton origination. Non-reserved flagstop tickets originating from either Needleton or Elk Park must be purchased from the conductor (exact fare) at the point of origin on a space-available basis. There is a $10 freight charge per backpack.

Boarding Time:

Gear must be loaded in the boxcar 45 minutes prior to departure to allow you to be in your seats before the final boarding call. When departing from Durango, you must be in your assigned seat at least one half hour before train departure! Unoccupied seats will be sold as a "no-show". Failure to have gear loaded by the appointed time could cause you to lose your seats.

Time Tables:

Please check table for date of boarding or reboarding!

Flagging The Train:

You must flag the train to signal to the engineer that you wish to board. The correct method is by waving your hands horizontally across your knees. When flagging the train in either direction, you must be on the east side of the tracks.

Freight:

There will be a $10.00 freight charge per backpack. Please inform reservation agent at time of booking as to the number of backpacks in your party. Packs will be loaded and stored in a boxcar under the supervision of the train crew. Other articles such as groceries and extra equipment will be also be handled as freight and additional charges will apply based on weight. To prevent damage to your own and other's equipment, we require objects such as ice axes, crampons, and fishing equipment to be enclosed in a protective covering. All freight items must be properly tagged with ownership and destination.

Live Animals:

United States Department of Agriculture regulations prohibit the D&SNGRR from transporting live animals. Except for guide dogs accompanying their master/trainer, we will not carry any live animals in any cars on our train.

Weminuche Wilderness Trip Planning Information: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan/recreation/weminuche.pdf

Parking:

Long term parking in Durango is available in our large lot adjacent to the train yards. Parking is $7.00 per day for passenger cars and $9.00 per day for RV's. You will need to pay for each day your vehicle will be in the lot. By city ordinance, overnight camping is not allowed in our parking lot.

Fares:

May 8 - October 30, 2010 Adults (age 12 and over) $81.00* . Child (age 4-11) $49.00*.
Fares are the same whether boarding in Durango or Silverton; riding one way or round trip.
*Fares subject to 4% Historic Preservation Fee.

Backpacking and the D&SNGRR

Needleton Stop

All summits in the Needle Mountains require varying amounts of mountaineering skills; those attempting any of them should be mindful of the hazards of afternoon thunderstorms, sudden drops in temperature, and precipitous terrain.
Needle Creek Trail: Originating at the former mining camp of Needleton, Needle Creek Trail climbs along an old stage road that follows its namesake seven miles into Chicago Basin. The trail is easy to follow but quite steep, ascending 3,000 feet before reaching the basin.
Johnson Creek Trail: Beyond the basin, the main trail climbs another 1,400 feet over two miles to Columbine Pass where it meets up with the Johnson Creek Trail, which drops into the Vallecito Creek drainage. A secondary route climbs steeply to Twin Lakes. From either vantage point, a commanding panorama of the Needle Creek drainage is possible.
Chicago Basin: Aside from its splendid hiking terrain, Chicago Basin also serves as a base camp for mountain climber’s intent on scaling summits. The three tallest - 14,059 foot Sunlight Peak, 14,084 foot Mount Eolus and 14,087 foot Windom Peak are the most popular climbs, but there are many other peaks offering mountaineering challenges and scenic wonder.

Elk Park Stop

Elk Creek Trail: This trail travels east from the railroad, climbing into the upper reaches of the Needle Mountains. Nine miles long, the route climbs 3,760 feet to the Continental Divide.
Continental Divide Trail: At the Divide, the trail connects with the Continental Divide Trail. Backpackers with plenty of time on their hands might hike the Divide Trail north to either Stony Pass or the Highland Mary Lakes area.
Vallecito Creek Trail: Heading south, the route leads to Hunchback Pass and from here to the upper end of the Vallecito Creek Trail. By following this drainage downstream for 8.5 miles, it is possible to hike up Johnson Creek for a little over five miles to Columbine Pass. From Columbine Pass it is nine miles down to the Needleton trailhead and civilization. This hike covers 34 miles and involves more than 8,000 feet of climbing. Be prepared to spend on average 5 days to complete the loop, and make the proper arrangements.