Clare the Trip Leader Ensuring All Aboard!
Erin Riding the Narrow Gauge
Tom Leading the Pack into Ruby Lake Basin
As part of the CMC Centennial Celebration, I led a trip into Ruby Lake basin to climb Pigeon and Turret Peaks. Most people access these reclusive peaks by riding the Durango and Silverton narrow gauge train to the Needleton station which is the trailhead for Chicago Basin, Needle Creek Drainage, Ruby Lake Basin, and Noname Creek.
I was very excited to be taking Linda & Tom, Georgia, Jeffrey, Steve, Nancy, and Erin into this secluded and remote location. Steve was coming from the East Coast, but had spent several weeks in Estes Park acclimatizing. Jeffrey was coming from Telluride and participated in one of my trail runs as preparation. Erin had been hiking and climbing with me all summer. Everybody else had participated in the Tenmile Peak trip, so I knew we had what it takes to do the climb. The question was, would we prevail with weather and route finding?
Since moving to Colorado, I have yet to experience true wilderness. Everywhere I go here, the trails are very well marked and there are hoards of people on them! It’s not like climbing 14’ers of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, where you get lost in scrub oak or the trail disappears into a 15 foot wall of Manzanita or ends at the top of a cliff. I was looking for a challenge and this trip was sure to test my route finding skills!
About 30-40 Minutes North of Durango
Animas River Box Canyon
Thursday, we boarded the train in Durango and enjoyed a beautiful ride along the banks of the Animas River. Riding the train was a fun way to start a mountaineering trip and made me think about the pioneers out west. Many of the early explorers, such as Kit Carson, rode trains or travelled by way of horseback.
The train dropped us off at the Needleton stop around 11:45am. I gathered the group together and we talked about the trip, our pace, goals, and health. We took about 30 minutes to put sunblock on, change layers, and eat snacks. Then, we walked across the bridge and turned left onto the trail leading us along the Animas.
For the trip, I had prepared by entering waypoints from the Colorado Scrambles book into my GPS device. So, we followed the trail and used the waypoints and descriptions to keep us in check. The entire way to Ruby Lake was a breeze, thanks to the research we did in advance.
Georgia and Nancy Crossing a Creek about 2 hours and 20 minutes into the Hike
Nancy Climbing the Steep Muddy Embankment Just After the Creek
Linda at 10,000 ft, after about 3 hours and 20 minutes of hiking
The Crux 3rd Class Step Down, at about 3.5 hours into the hike
Linda Negotiating the Crux
Nearing Ruby Lake, there are lots of downed trees.
How does this happen? I got my French braid stuck on a tree limb! Thankfully, they didn’t just leave me there and continue on without their trip leader…My peeps rescued me, just in time for the afternoon thunderstorm.
At this spot, on the banks of Ruby Lake, we had a snack break and pondered making camp at the meadow, at the base of Pigeon and Turret. After 5 hours and 40 minutes of hiking, we had the stamina to continue. But the hardest route finding was after the lake and we would be hitting it just as daylight started diminishing.
We were in radio contact with another party (Remember Joe, Kent, and Doris from Tenmile Peaks Hike?) up at the meadow and told them we might not make it. We planned to check in with them between 7 and 8pm to report on our progress. Would we make it?
Walking Around Ruby Lake in the Rain, About 6 hours into the hike
Above Ruby Lake, Looking For the Path Forward, About 7 hours into the hike
Around this point, we lost the trail and thus had to navigate the forest through fairly steep terrain. We were suckered down into a boulder field, which covered the bottom of the basin, by a cairn. We followed a few of these cairns until they disappeared and we were left standing on top of a huge boulder surrounded by hideous willow trees growing in large clumps.
We had quite the difficulty pushing through the willows, and Tom charged forward to try and help. He bruised and scratched up his legs in the process, but we eventually managed to find our way. In hindsight, we should have stayed high on the left side of the basin and not wandered down low…Next time!
Monitor Peak in Alpenglow
In vanishing daylight, we found a nice flat grassy spot below an escarpment of rock. We were surrounded by willows and everybody was pretty exhausted and wet from the rain. Time to set up camp!
I radioed Joe, Kent, and Doris up at the meadow to tell them we’d be seeing them the next day. I was sad we couldn’t join them for an early attempt of the peaks. Joining forces with them would have been a lot of fun! But, for the sake of those less fit, it was probably good we get a rest day.
I wished Joe luck on bagging the peaks and signed off. Having the radios was a great idea and I’m happy we got to chat with Joe a few times on our way up. He’s a great guy!
Erin Ready for Bed!
Before bed, I made sure everybody hydrated, had enough to eat for dinner, and hung their food. I also coordinated a wake up time so we could get to breaking camp in the morning and moving up to the meadow.
What an adventure!
Tags: Backpacking, CMC, Durango and Silverton Railroad, Needleton, Pigeon Peak, Ruby Creek, Turret Peak