Summit 2026 – Windom Peak - West Ridge Approach

All participants and leaders are REQUIRED to sign the State of Colorado's liability waiver. Please click here to fill out the waiver.

Join us for a memorable multi-day backpack into Chicago Basin as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Colorado's statehood with a summit of Windom Peak (14,087') on August 1—the very day Colorado became the 38th state in 1876. Colorado's sesquicentennial is being celebrated across the state throughout 2026, making this a unique opportunity to honor our shared love of these mountains on a historic day.

We'll ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to Needleton before hiking into one of Colorado's most spectacular alpine basins. After camping beneath the dramatic Grenadier Range, we'll enjoy an early morning climb of Windom Peak, a classic San Juan fourteener known for its beautiful setting, engaging route, and panoramic summit views.

This trip is designed for experienced hikers who enjoy backpacking, alpine starts, and spending time in Colorado's high country. Rather than rushing to collect summits, we'll take time to appreciate the wild beauty of Chicago Basin, share good company, and celebrate 150 years of Colorado from one of its finest mountain landscapes.

We hope you'll join us for this special anniversary climb.

After participants apply for the trip, trip leaders will reach out to gather more information about each participant's experience level and interests. For trips where the waitlist exceeds the allotted group size, participants will be selected by lottery.

For questions about your trip, please reach out to your trip leader directly. For general questions about the Summit 2026 project or any relate event, please reach out to summit2026@cmc.org.

Meet at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot

Address:
479 Main Avenue
Durango, CO 81301

Parking

Participants can leave vehicles in the railroad's long-term parking lot, located adjacent to the rail yard.

Parking Lot:
D&SNG Parking (970) 247-2733

Address:
209 W. College Drive
Durango, CO 81301

Current long-term parking is $10/day for passenger vehicles (subject to change). Overnight parking is permitted for train passengers, but overnight camping in the lot is not allowed. Parking can be purchased when reserving train tickets or upon arrival.

Meet: 7:15 a.m., Friday July 31st, at the front entrance of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot (479 Main Ave.). Please arrive dressed for hiking, with your backpack completely packed and ready to load. After a brief introduction and gear check, we'll check our packs, board the train together, and begin our journey into Chicago Basin.