Weminuche Wilderness Pack Trip Colorado USA Travel into one of the most spectacular areas of the Western United States, deep in the Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan Mountains. This area was heavily glaciated and the valleys are textbook geologic featuring meandering streams through enormous valleys with hanging waterfalls on the valley walls, great expanses of exposed granite and huge moraines. You camp in a beautiful meadow on the glaciated canyon of the Florida River near the City Reservoir, built in the late 1800's by the city of Durango to store water. Today, it no longer is used by Durango, but instead provides some of the best lake fishing in the San Juans. The fish are not big, but they are lively! Less than a mile downstream, the canyon boxes off and is impassable. You can feel the presence of bear and elk in the air as you wander through this true wilderness. The list of activities to do is endless. Among our favorites is a ride to one of many high mountain ridges, enjoying incredible views, wildflowers, and of course, elk. Chicago Basin is one of the most sought out destinations in the San Juans but one of the most crowded. We ride horses to the rim where we have the most spectacular view of the Basin and the Fourteen thousand foot mountains surrounding it— and you won’t see another person! Trimble Pass is another spot that you will never forget. And if you’re up for it, we can climb to the top of Mount Sheridan for a view that is unmatched.  Another camp we use on our longer trips, is the West Virginia Camp. It is located in the spruce and fir trees at 11,300 ft. This is a true wilderness setting with large cliffs lining the valley that West Virginia Creek winds through. The fishing is fabulous in this native cutthroat stream, a rarity in today’s world of invasive trout species. Virginia Creek is a moderate hike away with predominantly Rainbow Trout in its waterfalls and meanders. The views of Pigeon and Turret Peaks and the rest of the Needle Mountains are breathtaking on the way to these high mountain lakes. Meeting: Durango Airport: Durango Transfer: Durango/La Plata Airport and to/from hotel to ranch Riders: Min 2 riders Max 8 riders Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

additional Tax: 3 %

Transfer Option:

There are daily flights directly into Durango via Denver (United) and Phoenix (American). If you choose to fly directly to Durango, we will gladly pick you up at the airport (please give us three weeks notice) and take you to your hotel. The morning of your trip, we will pick you up at your hotel and bring you to our ranch where we will weigh and pack your gear before going to the trailhead and on to our basecamp.

Day 1.
You will be picked up from your hotel at 8:00 am and taken to the trailhead. After the pack load is set we'll mount our horses and head up the mountain. Immediately you become surrounded by the dense forest of the Weminuche Wilderness. We will take our time and wind up the trail crossing some creeks along the way and even skirting fallen trees. We will stop along the way for lunch along the trail in a spot where the views will take your breath away! As we continue on this remote trail to camp, we end the day descending down a traversing trail, crossing a river and ending up at our fully provisioned camp in the wilderness. You will have a chance to unload your personal gear and then join the group for some snacks before dinner. After dinner we can relax around our own private campfire and then head off to bed under a blanket of stars.
Days 2-4
Wake up each morning to the smell of freshly brewed cowboy coffee and another fulfilling western breakfast. The next few days we will be no rush to get started in the morning and there will be lots of options to choose from. We may opt to take a full day ride deep into the mountains enjoying waterfalls and wild flowers along the way or opt for just a half day ride and enjoy the afternoon doing a different activity. The fishing is 'Brookie Paradise' and only a five minute walk from camp in the waterfalls of the Florida River. High mountain lakes await us in every direction, some with 15" trout lurking in them. Or you may want to try to climb Mount Sheridan right behind camp for a spectacular 360 degree view including the 14,000 ft peaks Eolus, Windom and Sunlight peak. Keep your eyes open for large birds of prey overhead or possibly elk or deer running through the woods. After you have taken all the pictures you want, and spent the day enjoying what seems to be your own private wilderness playground, we'll head back to camp. Enjoy each others company while dinner is being prepared for you and relax around camp taking in the views, smells and sounds of this pristine wilderness. Each night offers a sky full of stars and coyotes often howling in the background.
Day 5
After breakfast we take one last look at the glorious San Juan Mountain range that surrounds us and pack up our gear so we can head back to civilization. As you wind your way back to where the vehicle awaits there are plenty of last minute opportunities for taking photos. We'll plan on lunch on the trail along with way before we unload and pack up the animals for the journey home. You will be brought back to your hotel in Durango, arriving late afternoon. Please do not plan departures home tonight unless your flight departs after 8:30 pm. The outfitter will be happy to pick you up in the morning and take you back to the airport for your flight home.

Durango sits at 6512 feet above sea level and enjoys an ideal four season climate with moderate temperatures year-round. Winters here are usually mild and sunny with temperatures staying between 10 and 50 degrees. Durango's snowfall averages about 71" a year but because Durango is in a low valley and flooded with sunlight, shoveling snow is manageable. Spring brings warmer weather and rain (annual precipitation of 19" per year). Summer temperatures seldom reach more than the high 80s and rivers and reservoirs stay relatively full in summer, due to deep snow accumulation in the surrounding mountains. Fall days are cool and dry, and very comfortable. Fall provides the perfect time for a mountain hike or a drive on one of the surrounding Scenic Byways. 

All of our adventures take place between 9,000-14,000 ft. Drink lots of fluids as hydration is one of the best defenses to altitude sickness. Stay away from alcohol and caffeine to minimize dehydration.

 What to bring

…  this list is only a guideline for you
	X = Necessary	Check List
Travel documents and Voucher	X
Flight tickets	X
Passport	X
Visa (check with your consulate)
RIDING GEAR
Western style preferred – blue jeans	X
Cowboy boots or leather boots that cover your ankles	X
Protective headgear (recommended ) or cowboy hat	X
Riding gloves	X
Rain slicker (no ponchos) or rain pants and jacket	X
PERSONAL CLOTHING
Jacket or sweater for cool evenings	X
Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts	X
Jeans	X
Shorts	X
Underwear and socks	X
Pyjama	X
Bag for dirty clothes	X
Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes	X
Swimsuit (we provide the pool towels)	X
For Camping trips:
Sleeping Bag
Ground Mat (Thermarest or foam mattress)
Towel and small bar of soap
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
Personal Toiletries Toiletries - towel, washcloth, soap, toothbrush	X
Insect protection	X
Personal medications	X
Sore cream (for the emergency)	X
Sewing kit	X
Handkerchiefs	X
Adapter for electric appliances
Camera and enough extra films and batteries	X
Belt pack	X
Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!)	X
Sun glasses with strap	X
Sun tan lotion and lip balm	X

Average ratings from 1 tour feedback (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date ken eltschlager 3/18/2007

The full service camps are equipped with wall tents, cots and pads. We have separate sleeping tents for each group of a mixed group trip. Clean latrine tents are near camp. When the weather is warm enough, a warm shower is available.

Meals:
The cook tent has a woodstove with an oven where we bake biscuits and even pies! We believe that food is as important as the wilderness experience and we know you’ll enjoy our delicious meals.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Quarter mix
Pace:		Any level, 5 hours in the saddle per day. Slow Mtn trails | Walk |
Level:		(2 to 2 out of 5)    Novice
Age:		Min 6	Max none
Weight:		Max 240
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 8 riders

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

 

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes
Visa Required?
British	No/2
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	1
Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.