Chicago Basin

[bergsteigen]

Anyone ever use the Rockdale depot stop to get on an off before? Looks like you could save some time, and possible parking costs.

[lodgling]

Rockwood? Sounds like it could work -- I like where this is heading. When are you looking at?

[JChitwood]

I've used it for kayaking but only to get from Tacoma to Rockwood. Last time I checked in July of 2014 the all-powerful TRAIN people would not let us board in Rockwood. My climbing partner in Durango HATES the hour and a half trip up the valley and offered to pay them just about anything but no go on Rockwood so we went in from Silverton. I doubt the all-powerful TRAIN people who control all in Durango will ever let backpackers on in Rockwood because the parking there would spiral out of control quickly. I wish they would build a road to Needleton. The Weminuche Rain Forest couldn't be any more crowded than it is now.

[planet54]

Anyone ever use the Rockdale depot stop to get on an off before? Looks like you could save some time, and possible parking costs.

Not since 1989 when you could take the Rockwood Bus. Parking was free at Rockwood and it was pretty much backpackers only so I thought it was a good thing. The bus was diesel powered however and was prone to breakdowns. Still I think it would be a great idea to have the train stop at Rockwood and pick up climbers ,hikers , and backpackers.

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[Manky]

I don't think the D&SNGRR is really setup anymore for regular folks to get on and off at Rockwood. The parking is kind of limited and they are pretty particular about loading all packs and equipment in the correct car in Durango. The only time I have gotten off at Rockwood was after a SAR mission, which was unique in and of itself. YMMV though, never hurts to ask.

[MichiganBrian]

Thanks Brad, but ski beta changes day to day, week to week. Last year doesn't quite help us know if we can ski off the summits now, if lines are "out", wind blasted, etc. With all the recent snow, I'm more worried about stability and bonding, let alone ski quality and efficiency to climb it!

Soon...

Isn't great ski beta - but I was flying over that area last weekend in a small plane (~13,000 ft MSL) and most peaks were continuous snow from the summit on 05/06 and there was substantially less slide activity apparent than the peaks in the front, elk, and sawatch ranges. Tough to gage depth from the plane though. Only picture I took was en route to/over Cinnamon pass looking towards Uncompaghre which I can send along if helpful.

[Vincopotamus]

Anyone ever use the Rockdale depot stop to get on an off before? Looks like you could save some time, and possible parking costs.

When I worked for the FS in 2010 & 2011, they unfortunately didn't allow any overnight parking at Rockwood so it wasn't a viable wilderness access point.

I wish they would build a road to Needleton. The Weminuche Rain Forest couldn't be any more crowded than it is now.

Not sure if serious....

[bergsteigen]

Isn't great ski beta - but I was flying over that area last weekend in a small plane (~13,000 ft MSL) and most peaks were continuous snow from the summit on 05/06 and there was substantially less slide activity apparent than the peaks in the front, elk, and sawatch ranges. Tough to gage depth from the plane though. Only picture I took was en route to/over Cinnamon pass looking towards Uncompaghre which I can send along if helpful.

That's actually pretty helpful. Less slides means more happy skiing!! Especially as I suffer from PTSD when I have to ski a slide path now...

[bergsteigen]

Live from Windom...

Eolus: rocky summit, but doable. Drop west, reascend ski east

N Eolus: OUT by a country mile

Sunlight: ramp is out. Standard is spicy and rather bleak.

Windom: unconsolidated surface, but stable. Widowmaker is in, but rocks at crux

[SchralpTheGnar]

Live from Windom...

Eolus: rocky summit, but doable. Drop west, reascend ski east

N Eolus: OUT by a country mile

Sunlight: ramp is out. Standard is spicy and rather bleak.

Windom: unconsolidated surface, but stable. Widowmaker is in, but rocks at crux

Bummer, will you go back in better conditions? I still have never been back there and still can't t wait to check it all out

[bergsteigen]

Bummer, will you go back in better conditions? I still have never been back there and still can't t wait to check it all out

I'm a glutton for punishment, so I'll likely go back with friends. Widowmaker turned out to be bulletproof, so I bailed after a pant-filling jump turn on it. Not super happy about Sunlight descent either.