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  HAZ Forum
Jul 31 2013
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 Routes 1
 Photos 150
 Triplogs 35

58 male
 Joined Nov 03 2008
 QC AZ
Needle / Johnson Creek Trail #504Southwest, CO
Needle / Johnson Creek Trail #504
Southwest, CO
Backpack avatar Jul 31 2013
Carioca43 • Triplogs 35
Backpack25.60 Miles 4,800 AEG
Backpack25.60 Miles3 Days         
4,800 ft AEG32 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
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Vallecito Trail #529
Partners partners
sguffey
Trip Stats: 12 participants 4 adults 8 youth/sons (12-16)

Drove from Phx area Wednesday PM arriving between 2 AM - 4 AM @ Vallecito Campground. Slept in Cars in Parking lot. Got up early to leave one and park others at Durango Railroad.

Caught the 8:45 train to Silverton & dropped off @ Needleton Station about 11:30. Animas was very muddy today from the night's rains. Began the hike up into Chicago Basin.

The group did great except for me. I had difficulty acclimatizing and after 4 miles had to stop and literally take a nap. :zzz: Flies were unbearable so the nap didn't last long. Fortunately not long after one from our party came back down to help me out :stretch: He took my pack and I walked slowly up feeling the effects of the altitude as I arrived in camp I hurled and nearly passed out as I laid down. I quickly got some gatorade in me and some food and even more water. And I then went to bed. Lots of greenery, lots of running creeks really nice area to hike into, but I prefer the ruggedness & emptiness of Johnson Creek with it exposed cliff edges and majestic waterfalls.

Day 2: Plan was to hike Windom Peak then backpack over Columbine Pass and down to the confluence of Vallecito & Johnson Creeks. I chose to pass on the peak based on my previous day horrors. I didn't even know if I could make Columbine Pass based on my previous days performance so my Son and I took our time as the rest of the group went to Twin Lakes & Windom. It took us about to 9:30 to get going. Took it nice and easy but got feeling better the farther we went and was to the top of the pass by 11:15. Views were amazing and I felt very satisfied as I now had hit a new elevation hiking best for myself of 12,750 after the previous days disaster. My only complaint is my camera stopped working ](*,) We ate a quick lunch and made our way down to Columbine Lake and beyond. The Wildflowers were out in force and we saw the Mountain Goats, Marmot, Rabbits, Pika. A little storm hit as we approached the first tree line campsites and so we popped up our tent to wait out the storm. Got back going about an hour later and meandered down Johnson Creek taking in all the view points and enjoying the hike DOWNHILL :DANCE: . We arrived about 5:30 to the confluence and made camp. About an hour & 1/2 later the rest of our group surprisingly arrived. :wlift: Only 3 had chosen to climb Windom while the others waited @Twin Lakes.

Day 3: Up and going about 8:30 and arrived at the trailhead about 12:15. Only 2 groups encountered from Chicago to Vallecito Creek Confluence. Ended up catching up to a group at Bridge 1 that were doing the same route but had left Tuesday not Thursday and then ran into the day hiker crowd from Vallecito TH.

Had Lunch @ Serious Texas BBQ :y:
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Columbine Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Johnson Creek Medium flow Medium flow
Lighter than last year but plenty of water by AZ standards this is a small river

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Needle Creek Medium flow Medium flow

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max New York Creek Medium flow Medium flow
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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