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Not much has been documented on HAZ yet, for southwest Colorado, but I have a feeling there are hikers here who have visited the Weminuche Wilderness. I'm starting to plan a 4-5 day backpack of about 35 miles (ideally, 4 moving days of 7-10 miles each, plus one layover day) for a group that probably will hike in the 2d week of July 2018. (Trying to beat the thunderstorm season, but also go late enough for the snow to have melted off.) Anybody have route suggestions for such a trip? I'd like to stick close to the south or west portion of the wilderness, to hold down the driving time. Trail head needs to be accessible to an AWD Subaru Outback (or we'll need a Jeep rental or shuttle). Has anyone visited Chicago Basin in summer lately? Thoughts on whether it's too crowded? I'd like to see it, but the absence of a permit system makes me wonder whether campsites would be scarce and/or a mob scene.

In 2004 I did a 4-day almost-loop from Vallecito Creek TH to Pine River TH using a short shuttle. It was very early in the year before the fire changed things, so I can't speak for how busy it is currently during prime hiking season.

I'd recommend making Chicago Basin part of your itinerary. It's a spectacular spot.

If you do an out-n-back hike you can begin by taking the Purgatory Trail #511 down to the Animas River Trail, and then up the Needle Creek Trail to Chicago Basin. triplogs and photos are sometimes under this description.

Alternately, you can take the DSNGRR from either Silverton or Durango to the remote stop at Needleton and start your hike on the Needle Creek Trail.

@nonot did a long loop there but if you take the train you can cut the mileage in about half: [ photoset ]

A couple of other triplogs you might gain some ideas from:
[ photoset ]
[ triplog ]
.

@chumley

Thanks for the links to triplogs! Very helpful. (Wonder why none came up when I did "Find" and "Colorado" on HAZ?)

@amy1300

campsites are indeed scarce in Chicago Basin but it is a large basin.

Your distance an mileage sound about right for an out and back via the purgatory trailhead, or coming in via Vallecito Creek Trailhead.