Chicago Basin in the Weminuche Wilderness of is one of the great scenic trails in Colorado

10 Great Hikes in Colorado
Chicago Basin

Getting There: To get started you will need to take a train ride. From Durango take the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to Needleton. Make sure you check to make sure the train makes stops in Needleton, some runs don't. Then take a 1/2 mile hike to the Needle Creek Trailhead. There are 3 14'er mountains around Chicago Basin, WINDOM PEAK (14,082 ft.), SUNLIGHT PEAK (14,059 ft.), MT. EOLUS (14,083 ft.).

Location: The San Juan Mountains, Weminuche Wilderness
Trailhead: Needle Creek Trailhead
Elevation: 8,200 ft to 11,200 ft
Trail Length: 16.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain:3,000 ft
Maps: USGS Mountain View Crest, Columbine Pass, and Storm King Peak
Pictures: Chicago Basin
Closest Town: Silverton

Forest Information:
Columbine Ranger District and Field Office,
367 Pearl St., Bayfield,
8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday– Friday, closed for all federal holidays.
For more information, call (970) 884-2512.

Lodging in Silverton

The Alpine House
PO Box 58
1234 Greene Street
Silverton, Colorado 81433

The Bent Elbow Hotel and Restaurant
1114 Blair Street
Silverton, CO 81433
toll-free (877)387-5775

The Elevated Sleep and Supper
1337 Blair St.
Silverton Colorado, 81433
970-903-4132

The Grand Imperial Hotel
George Foster, Owner/Proprietor
1219 Greene Street, Silverton, CO 81433
(970) 387-5527 or (800) 341-3340

The Prospector Motel
Rt. 550 at
1015 Greene St.
in Silverton.
(970) 387-5466

The Red Mountain Motel
664 Greene St
Silverton
888-970-5512

Smedley's Suites
P.O. Box 205
Silverton, CO 81433
(970) 387-5713

The Historic Teller House Hotel
~ 1250 Greene Street, Silverton, CO 81433
~ 800.342.4338 ~ 970.387.5423

The Triangle Motel
848 Greene Street • Silverton, Colorado 81433
Motel: 970-387-5780 •
Jeeps: 970-387-9990

Dining at Silverton

The Avalanche Coffeehouse & Cafe
1067 Empire (Blair) Street
Silverton, Colorado 81433
970-387-5282

Brown Bear Café
1129 Greene Street
Silverton, Colorado 81433
(970)387-5630

High Noon Hamburgers
1205 Empire Street
Silverton, Colorado 81433
(970) 387-5516

Steam and Steel Cafe
1309 Greene Street,
Silverton, Colorado
970.387.5221

Natalia's 1912 Family Restaurant
1159 Blair Street
Silverton Colorado
(970) 387-5300 May - Oct
(928) 282-3073 Nov - Apr

The Pickle Barrel Restaurant
1304 Greene Street
P.O. Box 205
Silverton, CO 81433
(970)387-5713

Romero's Restaurante y Cantina
1151 Greene Street
PO Box 102
Silverton, Colorado 81433

Silverton Brewery
1333 Greene St
Silverton
970-387-5033

Sporting Goods

Outdoor World
1234 Greene Street
Silverton, Colorado 81433
(970)387-5628

Gear-Exchange
Gear Exchange at Kendall Mountain Ski Area
1 Kendall Place, PO Box 706
Silverton, CO 81433
970-387-5228