Plan with
Confidence
Regional Classic
A must do route for the area handpicked by local experts.
This rxh must be accessed via the Chicago Basin Trail, which is in turn accessed either by train (summer only) or by a long rxh in (Animas River Trail).
Path Type
There and Back
From camp off the Chicago Basin Trail, start up Twin Lakes Approach. From here, it's recommended you summit Sunlight and Windom first, as the rock on Sunlight is slightly more technical and prone to getting slippery. It's easier to escape from the Eolus Group should the weather change later in the day. So, climb Sunlight and Windom. Then come back down to the Twin Lakes and climb the Eolus Group next. From here, all that's left is a descent back down Twin Lakes Approach.If you don't want to take the train and want an epic multi-day backpacking experience, start from Purgatory. Starting from Purgatory means you don't need to worry about a train ticket, plus you get some extra mileage out of the deal. For this route, consider at least two nights; hike in and camp the first day, summit all four 14ers on the next day, and hike out the following day. Add in an extra day if you want to enjoy the basin a bit more!
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