Walkoutnow - Sep 18, 2024 11:51 am Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2024
Great experience
Gets a bit spicy at the top. Cool area. Will be back for the other peaks.
Dow Williams - Aug 17, 2024 12:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2024
Sunlight Peak
I hiked these four peaks from camp faster than the round trip train ride to the trailhead. I planned on two nights originally, but once back there could tell these would all go fast. I left camp at 6AM, was at the summit of Windom Peak before 8AM. Atop Sunlight Peak by 9am and Mount Eolus (and North) just after 11:AM. Had to descend faster than normal, break camp descend the 6.5 mile trail at a steady pace to make the 3PM train. Reading comments on various sites, as always, some folks make these peaks to be bigger ordeals than reality. These 14ers are much easier than most Canadian Rockies scrambles below 11K. Tons of goats, marmots, grouse, pikas and people. Camping wise I found a gem on the south side of the creek void of folks, but full of wildlife.
ericd - Aug 7, 2024 9:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2024
a 2-run double
Chicago Basin holds some of the best 14'ers, beautiful forest, good rock, and a remote location. While the touristy train ride is an easy approach option, procuring a ticket and departing only at 08:30 are limiting factors. Elected to hiked 7hrs into basin after an Uber drop off at the Purgatory Flats TH across from the ski village. Quick progress across a mostly flat trail but with soaking vegetation. Basin to Twin Lakes was 1:30 in the dark, lots of streams, no goats. Trail well cairned, soft sand in place of snow, exhilarating craggy summit & cool keyhole.
Scott - Sep 4, 2023 8:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2023
Sunlight Peak
August 18
Kim and I rode the train to Needleton and hiked up to Chicago Basin. The weather forecast was ominous so we were a bit worried, but only a little rain fell. It was a scenic hike in with some nice waterfalls and views. We didn't see as many mountain goats and marmots as on previous trips.
August 19
I climbed Sunlight Peak while Kim hung out in camp to explore around and read her book. Sunlight was the only 14er I had left in Colorado so since I only had one peak to climb today, it was a mellow day and I hung out with Kim when I came back to camp.
It was a scenic hike/climb and the summit block was a real treat. I didn't have time to pick up my good shoes at home though so did the climb in Hokas with half the tread completely gone. I did meet one person near the top and we took pictures of each other summiting the peak. Other than the peak itself, the lake and waterfalls were really nice too, making this one of better of the Colorado 14ers.
The weather was good on the climb, but it rained a bit in the evening.
August 20
In the morning Kim and I hiked up the basin to look for marmots and mountain goats. We saw a few marmots and went back and packed up camp before hiking back to Needleton. We had a long ride home and I had to get up very early so we couldn't hang out much after the hike.
birdhead - Feb 24, 2023 1:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2022
Four in a Day from Camp
Climbed Sunlight, Windom, Eolus, and North Eolus on the same day from our camp high in Chicago Basin. Ended up being around an 11 hour outing with an hour or so chilling on Windom and another hour at the lake before hitting Eolus. Sunlight summit block is not bad on the ascent, but a little tricky on the descent, and I'm 6'2". Windom had an awesome view. The end of Eolus surprised me with its difficulty but we were probably off route a bit. Super fun day!
Matt McCullough - Sep 17, 2022 7:54 am Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2022
Peak #3 of the Chicago Basin
I made it to the top of the boulder pile on a beautiful clear morning with a bit of a stretch and a flop of my body rather than a hop as some taller climbers do. I chose a more direct descent than the standard route and made my way then up quickly to the saddle of Windom Peak for my last one of the day.
BKiser90 - Aug 29, 2022 1:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2022
Chicago Basin #1
First of the Chicago Basin 14ers. Sunny, beautiful morning after a terrible, rainy first day in the Basin on Friday, Aug. 26. The route up Sunlight is fantastic. Great approach trail to the gully and fun class 3 scramble to the summit block. The summit block is just as described by so many: intimidating. Andrea and I summited but both took some time on the leap of faith. We were supported by our friends Jesse and Kalen who helped us summit and leap. Went to Windom after Sunlight.
JesseSumrak - Aug 29, 2022 10:14 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2022
Sunlight + Windom
Today promised to have better weather, so we started early to get the 2 14'ers on the other side. Started up Sunlight and the Class 3 was a blast on super grippy rock. Made it to the top in quick time and I opted not to do the Leap of Faith (didn't feel right), but enjoyed the amazing hike and peak. Traversed over to Windom for a quick and easy bag before the long hike back to camp. Clear skies all day.
JRaphaelson - Aug 15, 2022 4:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2022
Sunlight, Windom, Eolus, and North Eolus
A tough but rewarding four peak challenge! In your face exposure for most of the day!
Started from the Purgatory TH. Came from Eolus. I didn’t find the “Leap of Faith” to be too bad. I just hopped across. Gorgeous day. Headed over to Windom next. Way too hot. I had to refill my water from snow melt before tackling Windom.
yadahzoemtn - Mar 15, 2020 10:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2019
Chicago Basin is magical
That last step takes your breath away
Moogie737 - Aug 30, 2019 10:11 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2019
Standard southeast route from the upper basin
#1 08-26-19 W/ Yadazoemtn. From camping spot at 11,050' it took us about 5 hours to reach the daunting summit. We're a little slow but we're steady. The red-dirt gully was tedious but the rest was classic fun scrambling with decent cairns "most" of the time. Then dropped to the upper basin and crossed four snowfields to reach the saddle between Peak 18 and Windom and did Windom's west ridge.
eli.boardman - Dec 27, 2018 12:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2018
Fun scrambling, approached from Purgatory Flats
Solo scramble to the top after doing Sunlight Spire also solo
Wheelbarrow - Feb 5, 2018 11:34 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2017
#19
Apparently I saved the best for last because there was options for legit rock climbing which I opted for for better or worse. Never too committing to not be able to back out of so all in all a more exciting mountain.
Some minor route-finding trouble on the summit ridge, but not too bad. This is a fun and beautiful mountain! Hubz did the tough moves at the top, not me, I was happy to tag the Geological Survey stamp at the almost-top. :)
voxnihili - Aug 17, 2015 11:07 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2015
Overcame altitude sickness to do my first 14er! Amazing area! We took the train, which was pretty cool but I could do without it next time...
triyoda - Oct 19, 2014 10:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2012
Lucky Break
Thought I was rained out, but made a late start after the rain broke and was able to get this one in. The move off the summit block is the one that makes you pucker, I didn't really think about when I stepped over to get on top.
Walkoutnow - Sep 18, 2024 11:51 am Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2024
Great experienceGets a bit spicy at the top. Cool area. Will be back for the other peaks.
Dow Williams - Aug 17, 2024 12:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2024
Sunlight PeakI hiked these four peaks from camp faster than the round trip train ride to the trailhead. I planned on two nights originally, but once back there could tell these would all go fast. I left camp at 6AM, was at the summit of Windom Peak before 8AM. Atop Sunlight Peak by 9am and Mount Eolus (and North) just after 11:AM. Had to descend faster than normal, break camp descend the 6.5 mile trail at a steady pace to make the 3PM train. Reading comments on various sites, as always, some folks make these peaks to be bigger ordeals than reality. These 14ers are much easier than most Canadian Rockies scrambles below 11K. Tons of goats, marmots, grouse, pikas and people. Camping wise I found a gem on the south side of the creek void of folks, but full of wildlife.
ericd - Aug 7, 2024 9:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2024
a 2-run doubleChicago Basin holds some of the best 14'ers, beautiful forest, good rock, and a remote location. While the touristy train ride is an easy approach option, procuring a ticket and departing only at 08:30 are limiting factors. Elected to hiked 7hrs into basin after an Uber drop off at the Purgatory Flats TH across from the ski village. Quick progress across a mostly flat trail but with soaking vegetation. Basin to Twin Lakes was 1:30 in the dark, lots of streams, no goats. Trail well cairned, soft sand in place of snow, exhilarating craggy summit & cool keyhole.
Scott - Sep 4, 2023 8:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2023
Sunlight PeakAugust 18
Kim and I rode the train to Needleton and hiked up to Chicago Basin. The weather forecast was ominous so we were a bit worried, but only a little rain fell. It was a scenic hike in with some nice waterfalls and views. We didn't see as many mountain goats and marmots as on previous trips.
August 19
I climbed Sunlight Peak while Kim hung out in camp to explore around and read her book. Sunlight was the only 14er I had left in Colorado so since I only had one peak to climb today, it was a mellow day and I hung out with Kim when I came back to camp.
It was a scenic hike/climb and the summit block was a real treat. I didn't have time to pick up my good shoes at home though so did the climb in Hokas with half the tread completely gone. I did meet one person near the top and we took pictures of each other summiting the peak. Other than the peak itself, the lake and waterfalls were really nice too, making this one of better of the Colorado 14ers.
The weather was good on the climb, but it rained a bit in the evening.
August 20
In the morning Kim and I hiked up the basin to look for marmots and mountain goats. We saw a few marmots and went back and packed up camp before hiking back to Needleton. We had a long ride home and I had to get up very early so we couldn't hang out much after the hike.
birdhead - Feb 24, 2023 1:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2022
Four in a Day from CampClimbed Sunlight, Windom, Eolus, and North Eolus on the same day from our camp high in Chicago Basin. Ended up being around an 11 hour outing with an hour or so chilling on Windom and another hour at the lake before hitting Eolus. Sunlight summit block is not bad on the ascent, but a little tricky on the descent, and I'm 6'2". Windom had an awesome view. The end of Eolus surprised me with its difficulty but we were probably off route a bit. Super fun day!
Matt McCullough - Sep 17, 2022 7:54 am Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2022
Peak #3 of the Chicago BasinI made it to the top of the boulder pile on a beautiful clear morning with a bit of a stretch and a flop of my body rather than a hop as some taller climbers do. I chose a more direct descent than the standard route and made my way then up quickly to the saddle of Windom Peak for my last one of the day.
BKiser90 - Aug 29, 2022 1:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2022
Chicago Basin #1First of the Chicago Basin 14ers. Sunny, beautiful morning after a terrible, rainy first day in the Basin on Friday, Aug. 26. The route up Sunlight is fantastic. Great approach trail to the gully and fun class 3 scramble to the summit block. The summit block is just as described by so many: intimidating. Andrea and I summited but both took some time on the leap of faith. We were supported by our friends Jesse and Kalen who helped us summit and leap. Went to Windom after Sunlight.
JesseSumrak - Aug 29, 2022 10:14 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2022
Sunlight + WindomToday promised to have better weather, so we started early to get the 2 14'ers on the other side. Started up Sunlight and the Class 3 was a blast on super grippy rock. Made it to the top in quick time and I opted not to do the Leap of Faith (didn't feel right), but enjoyed the amazing hike and peak. Traversed over to Windom for a quick and easy bag before the long hike back to camp. Clear skies all day.
JRaphaelson - Aug 15, 2022 4:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2022
Sunlight, Windom, Eolus, and North EolusA tough but rewarding four peak challenge! In your face exposure for most of the day!
Woodie Hopper - Sep 8, 2021 8:38 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2021
Chicago Basin 4 pack (3rd of 4 14ers)Started from the Purgatory TH. Came from Eolus. I didn’t find the “Leap of Faith” to be too bad. I just hopped across. Gorgeous day. Headed over to Windom next. Way too hot. I had to refill my water from snow melt before tackling Windom.
yadahzoemtn - Mar 15, 2020 10:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2019
Chicago Basin is magicalThat last step takes your breath away
Moogie737 - Aug 30, 2019 10:11 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2019
Standard southeast route from the upper basin#1 08-26-19 W/ Yadazoemtn. From camping spot at 11,050' it took us about 5 hours to reach the daunting summit. We're a little slow but we're steady. The red-dirt gully was tedious but the rest was classic fun scrambling with decent cairns "most" of the time. Then dropped to the upper basin and crossed four snowfields to reach the saddle between Peak 18 and Windom and did Windom's west ridge.
eli.boardman - Dec 27, 2018 12:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2018
Fun scrambling, approached from Purgatory FlatsSolo scramble to the top after doing Sunlight Spire also solo
Wheelbarrow - Feb 5, 2018 11:34 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2017
#19Apparently I saved the best for last because there was options for legit rock climbing which I opted for for better or worse. Never too committing to not be able to back out of so all in all a more exciting mountain.
utclimber - Oct 16, 2016 5:21 pm
SunlightHiked up Sunlight during a backpack trip to the Chicago Basin.
RMdaytripsgrl - Jul 21, 2016 6:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2016
Not too Tough!Some minor route-finding trouble on the summit ridge, but not too bad. This is a fun and beautiful mountain! Hubz did the tough moves at the top, not me, I was happy to tag the Geological Survey stamp at the almost-top. :)
voxnihili - Aug 17, 2015 11:07 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2015
FunFun climb. Excellent views.
mgriffin015 - Feb 27, 2015 9:29 pm
First 14er!Overcame altitude sickness to do my first 14er! Amazing area! We took the train, which was pretty cool but I could do without it next time...
triyoda - Oct 19, 2014 10:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2012
Lucky BreakThought I was rained out, but made a late start after the rain broke and was able to get this one in. The move off the summit block is the one that makes you pucker, I didn't really think about when I stepped over to get on top.
astroclimber - Sep 20, 2014 9:57 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2014
Great TripDid Sunlight and Windom with Kat and Dave.