Chicago Basin 14’ers: Sunlight, Windom, & Eolus Peaks
The Chicago Basin 14’ers are some of Colorado’s most aesthetic and scenic 14’ers. Sunlight Peak (14,059 ft.), Mt. Eolus (14,083 ft.), and Windom Peak (14,082 ft.) dominate the skyline scenery, though the basin is host to a number of other worthy climbs. The area is unmatched for its wilderness setting, well maintained trails, and relatively easy access. For those who would like to experience the essence of the San Juans and climb a few 14’ers along the way, then this is the trip for you.
Many of our trip participants are also on the Colorado 14’er quest, attempting to become one of the few people who have stood atop all of Colorado’s 54 highest peaks. There’s no question that, for both first timers and seasoned Colorado climbers, Chicago Basin will be the highlight of your 14’ers endeavor. It is a great opportunity to climb 3 of the 54 14’ers in one amazing trip.
Private Arrangement
Due to high demand for Chicago Basin 14’er trips and programs we are only offering these trips by private arrangement. You pick your dates, number of people, and logistics and our office staff will work directly with you to confirm your custom trip into the heart of one of the most inspiring areas in the Weminuche Wilderness!
Wilderness Access Via the D&SNGRR
Accessing the deep wilderness of Chicago Basin via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNGRR), limits our approach length to a manageable 6 miles. This historic railroad, dating back to the 1880s, is a treat in itself and adds a unique start and finish to this excellent trip. You don’t have to be an expert mountaineer to take part in this incredible adventure – we’ve reached the summits of these peaks with climbers from age 7 to 70!
$1,099/per person
2023 Dates
Arranged on a Private Basis
June through October
Costs
3 Day 14’ers Itinerary
- $1099 per person for 3:1 Private
- $1399 per person for 2:1 Private
- $1999 for 1:1 Private
No Hidden Fees
Includes:
- Guiding and instruction with an IFMGA/AMGA Certified/Trained Guide
- All alpine climbing gear (harness, helmet, ropes etc.),
- Group camping and cooking equipment (tents, stoves, fuel etc.)
- D&SNGRR Train Tickets are an additional per person fee ($120 pp)
- Meal plans available to purchase at our office for an additional fee
Chicago Basin 14’ers Itinerary
Day 0
Arrive in Durango the day before the trip begins and check in to your hotel. Ideally you would want to arrive in the late morning or early afternoon to help aid in your adjustment to the altitude.
Day 1
In the morning we’ll board the D&SNGRR train in Durango for the ride to Needleton and the start of the hike/approach into Chicago Basin. After approximately 6 miles we reach our camp at treeline in upper Chicago Basin. Camp out.
Day 2
Rising early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, we’ll approach the West Ridge of Sunlight Peak, an exposed ridge with a good mixture of 3rd and 4th class climbing all the way to the summit! An alternate option for the ascent will be the Standard Route up the South Slopes of Sunlight Peak. Route choice on this peak will depend on a variety of factors and is up to the discretion of our guides and guest(s) for the trip. Descending the south slopes, we’ll cross the upper Twin Lakes basin and head up to the summit of Windom Peak via the West Ridge and a series of 3rd class ledges. We’ll be back at camp around 1 pm, where some relaxation and even a nap can ensue! Camp out.
Day 3
Waking early again, we’ll approach the East Ridge of Mt. Eolus which is characterized by mixed 3rd and 4th class climbing – and the classic “Cat Walk” Traverse. After our successful summit, we’ll head back to camp, pack things up, and head back down to the trail head where the train will meet us for a 3:45 pm pick up. The train will have us back to Durango at approximately 6:15 pm – plenty of time to catch a shower and enjoy a celebratory dinner! Stay in a hotel or depart. We have showers available at our office for those participants that have a arranged to depart directly after the end of the trip.
Alpine Climbing Equipment List
| Duffel Bag | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | 1 - 2 Large, durable bags for oragnizing and transporting your gear during airline travel etc. |
| Backpack | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Osprey’s Variant 52 is the ultimate pack for expedition and high alpine climbers. Designed to carry specialized mountain gear such as skis, wands, ice protection, and ice tools, this pack can be easily stripped down to minimize weight for a summit push. |
| Thermos | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Coffee is the lifeblood of champions. We highly encourage the consumption of coffee on our programs. The darker the better. |
| Water Bottles | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | We recommend wide mouth Nalgene (or similar) water bottles for the majority of our programs. Two 1 liter bottles is the standard for days in the mountains. |
| Bottle Insulators | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Insulating water bottle parkas are recommended in the winter months, for ice climbing or cold weather alpine trips. |
| Stuff Sacks | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Stuff sacks are a great way to organize your gear in your pack and help to keep things tidy in a variety of ways. A great addition to any of our programs. |
| Personal Food | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Lunch begins when breakfast ends and ends when dinner begins. Bring what you like to eat and consider the length, relative difficulty, weight, and other factors when deciding what to bring in the mountains with you. A variety is always best. Don't be afraid of Mr. T. |
| Sunglasses | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | A good pair of wrap around sunglasses are an essential item for all of our trips. When the sun shines brightly on fresh snow in the mountains your eyes will thank you for a quality pair of shades. Looking good is important too. |
| Sunscreen | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Essential for all of our programs. SPF 30 would be our minimum recommendation. Typically a 4 oz. bottle will suffice but consider trip length when deciding how much to pack. |
| Lip Balm | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Lip balm is important to bring on all trips. SPF 15 or higher is recommended. |
| Headlamp | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | A headlamp is recommended for all of our programs and is an essential piece of equipment you will use in a variety of circumstances. Most LED type headlamps will do but we recommend the Black Diamond Storm for its versatility. |
| First Aid Kit | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | An excellent investment for all of our programs. Our guides always carry a comprehensive medical kit but it's nice to have your own as well. |
| Small Knife | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | A small knife is an indispensable tool to carry with you in the mountains. We like the Spatha knife for its size, weight, versatility, and ability to clip onto a harness. |
| Digital Camera | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | While phones these days offer excellent quality, nothing beats the reliability of a dedicated digital camera. You'll be glad you brought it and your guide will make sure to help capture the moment of you being awesome. |
| Hand Warmers | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | An optional item, but nice to have on cold weather climbs and courses. Consider having a few stowed away in your pack and you can break them out if you feel you need them. |
| Socks | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Synthetic socks area must for all outdoor activities. Select a pair that fits well, is warm, and is comfortable. Bring 2-3 pairs depending on the type of trip. |
| Base Layer Top | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Choosing the right base layer really makes a difference in comfort, moisture-wicking, and the balance between cool and warm at the right time and in the right places. The Outdoor Research Echo Hoody also offers good sun protection. |
| Base Layer Bottom | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Similar to the base layer top. These are wear all the time in all conditions base layer pants. A must have for alpine and ice climbing trips and objectives. |
| Mid Weight Top | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | A midlayer for anything from ski tours to alpine ascents, the CoEfficient Hoody features Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency fleece with a gridded interior for increased wicking performance and added breathability. The under-the-helmet hood and full-length zipper let you regulate temperature on the go, so you don’t find yourself overheating a half hour into the day. A slim cut helps the CoEfficient Hoody fit comfortably under your shell, and with a redsigned, trim fit, this layer takes up little space in your pack. |
| Soft Shell Jacket | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Our most ruggedly built Ferrosi piece is an alpine focused style that can really take a beating. Using Cordura® fabric in the main body, this hooded jacket provides additional abrasion-resistance while shrugging off wind and light rain. The Halo Hood™ seals out bad weather without limiting peripheral vision. |
| Soft Shell Pants | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | The Cirque Pants are a durable, heavy-weight technical soft shell pant built for high-energy climbing, mountaineering and ice climbing. The highly breathable, wind and weather-resistant double-weave stretch fabric excels in high-mountain conditions. The zippered thigh pocket ensures energy bars and maps remain easily accessible. |
| Insulated Parka | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Pack it for those days where you need just a touch of down insulation, or on those cold days on the chairlift when an extra layer might be crucial. Our new hooded version of the Filament has the same design as the popular hood-less version and a DWR-treated shell of ultralight 10D Pertex® Quantum GL keeps moisture away from premium 800-fill down inside. |
| Insulated Vest | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Same spirit, same guts, and same award-winning hybrid-mapped design of the Cathode Hooded Jacket, minus the sleeves and hood. An insulated vest is an optional item on our programs but we do think vests offer excellent flexible layering options in a variety of circumstances, weather conditions, and trip types. |
| Shell Jacket | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Our Outside Magazine and Men’s Journal “Gear of the Year” award-winning storm shell is engineered for fast-and-light alpine climbs and all-day backcountry tours. You need at minimum either a soft shell jacket or hard shell jacket for local Ouray based winter courses and programs. | |
 | Built for flash-storm protection, the 100% waterproof, super-breathable Helium II weighs an incredibly light 6.4 ounces. An ultra-compressible piece you’ll never leave behind, it’s so light and packs down so small you’ll forget it’s clipped to your harness until you throw it on to ward off a sudden mid-route downpour. |
| Shell Pants | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Waterproof, breathable and lightweight, the GORE-TEX® Foray Pants provide dependable rain protection and shrug off the wear-and-tear of the trail and cityscape alike. |
| Warm Hat | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | The Booster’s reversible design lets you choose. The soft yarn blend will provide a cozy sanctuary throughout winter’s chill. |
| Baseball Cap | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | A required item on the majority of our programs, a baseball cap helps to keep harmful sun off your face. The Radar Pocket cap is packable, durable, and looks great! |
| Lightweight Gloves | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Updated for touchscreen compatibility, the StormTracker Sensor Gloves are equally at home alpine climbing, ski touring or ice climbing. Low-profile GORE® WINDSTOPPER®. Soft Shell fabric deflects biting gusts, and a tricot lining retains valuable heat. |
| Midweight Gloves | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Built to handle cold mornings on the up-track and powder turns all the way back down, these versatile gloves feature a new stretch nylon shell outer, a goat leather palm with textured fingertips, and a warm, quick-drying wool blend lining. |
| Belay Device | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | A belay device is a required item on any of our technical climbing or mountaineering courses. While not necessary to have the Guide ATC specifically, we think owning one of these offers additional versatility as you progress and gain additional knowledge about the various levels of functionality provided by a device of this type. |
| Harness | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | The BD Aspect Harness is a great all around performer for all types of climbing - ice, rock, alpine etc. The adjustable leg loops and integrated ice clipper loops make this a solid investment as your do-all harness. |
| Locking Carabiners | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | We recommend at minimum 2 - 3 personal locking carabiners on our climbing courses and any technical private guided program. We prefer classic screw gate carabiners over other types of locking mechanisms. |
| Climbing Helmet | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | A versatile, hybrid-shell helmet for lightweight protection in any discipline, the Vector features excellent ventilation and a ratcheting adjuster. |
| Balaclava or Buff | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Simple, effective and infinitely adaptable, Original BUFF® headwear is the product that started the multifunctional headwear revolution. At its core is a moisture-managing microfiber fabric that is wind resistant and able to control odor. We recommend the BUFF for all of our programs as a multi-purpose insulation piece and trendy headgear! |
| Non Locking Carabiners | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | A selection of non-locking carabiners is recommended on all of our technical climbing programs. Consider at least 4 - 6 and we prefer wire gate carabiners over more traditional gate carabiners. Many options exist so just consider a variety when putting your carabiner rack together! |
| Climbing Boots | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Light and fast this boot makes you feel like a wood nymph bounding through the mountains. All synthetic and designed for spider like alpine climbing performance; it is waterproof and ready for a semi-automatic crampon. The Vibram® Mulaz outsole, has an edging platform and sticky Supertrek Rubber. The 3D Flex™ ankle provides supreme ankle maneuverability for technical routes. |
| Adjustable Trekking Poles | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | This is an optional item on our programs. However, a good pair of trekking poles is a worthy piece of gear to have with you for long approaches or treks through the mountains. There are many added benefits to trekking poles. The new BD Distance series poles are light, collapsible, and adjustable. |
| Cordelletes | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Accessory cord or cordelette material is essential equipment that offer great versatility in use and application. Consider getting a few for your climbing rack. |
| Slings | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | Climbing slings or runners are an excellent compliment to your climbing gear. Versatile in their use and applicability, consider having a few of each length on your rack. |
| Sleeping Pad | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir All Season mattress is lightweight, durable, extremely warm, and the ultimate solution to year-round backcountry comfort. Stable construction and 2.5-inch thickness offer greater comfort for a full night of sleep, so you won't feel the uneven, rough terrain beneath you. |
| Sleeping Bag | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | The Western Mountaineering MegaLite 30 Degree Sleeping Bag large cut sleeping bag for bigger folks or those seeking plenty of space. Have a fear of being closed in or perhaps a wide set of shoulders? This 850+ down fill sleeping bag has a 64" shoulder girth and 39" foot girth. Lay back and enjoy being wrapped in soft, fluffy down on nights down to 30°F. |
| Mountain Crampons | Description | Guide's Pick |
|---|---|---|
 | A classic 10-point crampon for mountaineering and glacier travel, the Contact features a durable stainless steel construction and a stable, lightweight design. Available in a Strap or Clip version. |
Training & Follow Up Climbs
As always, being in excellent physical shape is an important component of our our programs. A good mixture of cardiovascular fitness, muscular fitness, and especially core strength will help you to maximize the potential rewards that are possible on a great climbing trip.
For the Chicago Basin 14’ers you should be ready for:
- Hiking approximately 6-7 miles per day with up to a 40 lb pack at altitudes between 8,000′ – 11,000 ‘
- 6 – 8 hour summit days with a lighter “day pack”
- Wilderness travel and camping
Before Your Trip
The Chicago Basin 14’ers trip is a strenuous trip conducted at altitudes above 10,000 feet. Therefore, previous experience hiking in the mountains and/or multi-day backpacking experience will be very helpful to you on this program. Though the actual climbing level required for this trip is not difficult, the best training regimen would include a mixture of cardiovascular fitness training (running, biking, hiking etc.), and muscular/core fitness exercises. The addition of some Yoga/stretching exercises will help to insure that you maintain good muscular flexibility as well.
Follow Up Climbs
Durango, Colorado: Getting Here
Durango is located in the SW corner of Colorado, at the intersection of the sandstone towers of the desert, and the jagged, San Juan Mountains. A mecca for climbing, hiking, cycling, and foodies; make sure you plan to spend some time in town before and after your SJMG trip. The SJMG Durango office is located at 1111 Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO 81301.
The best option for flying to the area is to fly into Durango – La Plata County Airport. Multiple airline options exist, and most connections originate from Denver, Phoenix, or Dallas. The airport is a 20 minute drive from our office. Many hotels offer a free shuttle pickup. Buckhorn Limousine offers a shuttle as well.
Below are some approximate driving times if you’d like to drive to Durango.
- Ouray, CO: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Albuquerque, NM: 3.5 hours
- Denver, CO: 6 hours
Durango has a number of great hotels, suites, and vacation rentals for you to stay in while you’re in the area. Give our office a call at 800-642-5389 if you have any questions about what would suite you best for this trip! Below are just a few options catering to different lodging styles and preferences.
Program Policies
Registration & Cancellation
Advance Registration is required for this program. You have the option to either call our office and register via phone or utilize our secure Online Reservation System. All participants must read and sign an Assumption of Risks/Liability Waiver and agree to our Reservations and Cancellations Policies.
Inclusions
- Guiding and trip leadership with an IFMGA/AMGA Certified or Trained Guide
- Group camping and cooking equipment (tents, stoves, fuel, etc.)
- Group climbing equipment (ropes, etc.)
- Harness, helmet
Exclusions
- Transportation to Durango, CO
- D&SNGRR Train Tickets
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinnerson the mountain
- Hotel costs before, during, or after the program
- Personal hiking/climbing clothing
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (recommended)
- Costs associated with weather delays or other variables beyond the control of San Juan Mountain Guides
Book This Trip!
We Offer Online Registration
- Click on Book This Trip
- Select your Program dates
- Enter your Info and Payment
Or, call 800.642.5389 to register
