40 miles and a 17,000 feet of elevation gain (!), the Elk Park/Needleton loop through the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains is Jeff Valliere’s favorite Colorado trail. Well known for his uphill running and climbing, Valliere, of Louisville, tells us all about this bucket list hike/run in the first installment of the VFuel Colorado Trail of the Month.
The loop, estimated at 40 miles, packs loads of adventure, scenery, and opportunity for trail runners, peak baggers, and backpackers. Do it in a single push, or over a few days, and you’ll experience some of the best of Colorado.
Access
This loop is most often accessed from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, where the train makes stops at both the Needleton and Elk Park trailheads, however one can do this as a car shuttle from the Purgatory Trailhead to the Molas Lake Trailhead (adding an additional 12 or so miles).
Route Description
Basically it’s a giant loop with everything – alpine lakes, big climbs, and endless valleys!
From Needleton (going counter clockwise) the trail heads up the Needle Creek Valley toward the 14ers Sunlight, Windom, and Eolus, over ~12,600 foot Columbine Pass, down to the Vallecito Creek Trail, up to ~12,300 ft. Hunchback Pass and then down the Colorado Trail to Elk Park on the Animas River and the railway once again.
Beyond the 14er base camp, you’ll likely see very few people as you spend hours above treeline, passing emerald lakes, endless fields of vividly colored wildflowers, towering jagged peaks, waterfalls, and plenty of wildlife. It is like walking (or running, when possible) through a painting.
The route is contained within this map, though a more detailed map is available here.
When to go
July and August are prime months for this loop, once the snow has melted and the days are longer, not to mention the wildflowers along this route are absolutely epic and can’t be missed.
Duration
This can be done in a day if you are quick and the weather cooperates, as summer monsoonal storms in this area can be epic and much of the route is exposed. Better yet though, if you have the time, this makes a great multi-day fast pack, with options to add on the 14ers and/or other 13ers along the way. No need to rush this one – it is certainly one of my favorite areas in Colorado.
VFuel
Not only is VFuel based out of Estes Park, but I swear their gels are the best tasting on the market. Jeff Valliere agrees and was happy to receive a box of the Mountain Berry flavor for his contibution to this month’s trail of the month.
The gels are also easily digestible and perform – they deliver the consistent energy you need on a long day, like on the Elk Park/Needleton loop!
