San Juan Sufferfest, Aug. 2025

[evanc]

Hey! Just got back from a few days in Chicago Basin. Took the train in Sunday - we had an interesting experience I didn't expect to happen though. The train had engine trouble about 30 minutes in that delayed us about 1.5 hours getting to Needleton. We were dropped off around 12:10pm. Keep in mind, s**t can happen with the train.

Second: It seems totally doable to do all four mountains in a day with a super early start and a great weather window. I had no intention of even attempting all four in a day but I started thinking about it on my first peak day (Monday). I started from camp (10,700) at 430am. Summited Windom around 7:45 (hung out on top for ~30 min chatting with some guys). Did crossover to Sunlight around 9am. Summited Sunlight around 10:30. Back down to Twin Lakes around 12. Really debated going up to the Eoluses but then weather started to roll in and I high tailed it back to camp.

I definitely did not get an early enough start though to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. If you have a similar pace to me, then I think you could do all four with a 2:00 am start.

Thanks for the info! We were thinking that a 2am start would be about right… Does the weather tend to roll in around noon typically?

[The_Ramp]

Buffalo Pass Campground outside of Saguache is a great, sparsely-used campground about 2 hours from the San Luis Peak Stewart Creek TH. I've never had issues getting a site, even on busy summer weekends. It is a campground (i.e. not free), but its quiet and having a pit toilet after a few days of roughing it can make all the difference in the world.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/riogrande/r ... campground

Good luck!

[EZsummits]

For the Wilson group, I would suggest the Kilpacker approach. It keeps your legs fresh before the serious stuff begins, only 800 ft of elevation gain over 5 miles of approach. It also allows you to drop into Navajo Basin after completing Wilson Peak and link back up with the Kilpacker trail without reclimbing any peaks. This trip report has good info and GPX tracks - https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... trip=21345.

[climbingyogi]

Hey! Just got back from a few days in Chicago Basin. Took the train in Sunday - we had an interesting experience I didn't expect to happen though. The train had engine trouble about 30 minutes in that delayed us about 1.5 hours getting to Needleton. We were dropped off around 12:10pm. Keep in mind, s**t can happen with the train.

Second: It seems totally doable to do all four mountains in a day with a super early start and a great weather window. I had no intention of even attempting all four in a day but I started thinking about it on my first peak day (Monday). I started from camp (10,700) at 430am. Summited Windom around 7:45 (hung out on top for ~30 min chatting with some guys). Did crossover to Sunlight around 9am. Summited Sunlight around 10:30. Back down to Twin Lakes around 12. Really debated going up to the Eoluses but then weather started to roll in and I high tailed it back to camp.

I definitely did not get an early enough start though to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. If you have a similar pace to me, then I think you could do all four with a 2:00 am start.

Thanks for the info! We were thinking that a 2am start would be about right… Does the weather tend to roll in around noon typically?

Typically - but it can roll in earlier too (/you can have rainy/stormy mornings as well). I have a Garmin In Reach and it's been super helpful regarding making decisions based on the weather. I can update the weather forecast multiple times throughout the day with it and adjust my plans accordingly. Highly recommend getting one (or something similar) for ease of mind with weather. The forecasts it gives me are pretty dang accurate.

[randalmartin]

I think for bigger days like doing all Chi Basin peaks in a day I would try to do those in September/October when storm patterns lessen. You certainly could get the right window in the middle of the summer but for something like Chi Basin where logistics have to be planned in advance (train tickets etc.) I think easier to just push that to early Fall for a better shot.

[Been_Jammin]

I would choose to not mess with the train for Chi Basin. The mileage between the train stop and Purgatory ups the adventure factor. And your mission is a self proclaimed sufferfest.

[climbingcue]

I would choose to not mess with the train for Chi Basin. The mileage between the train stop and Purgatory ups the adventure factor. And your mission is a self proclaimed sufferfest.

I agree with not taking the train, I have hiked into the Chi Basin area three times. I have never taken the train. The best part of not messing with the train is you can go when the weather window is the best. Therefore you are not tied to the train schedule.

Bill