Summiting 4 Colorado 14ers in One Day: Backpacking the Chicago Basin via Animas River Trail
If there’s a hike that lives rent-free in my legs and my heart, it’s this one. Over three days, we hiked nearly 40 miles and gained over 10,000 feet in elevation to summit four iconic 14ers — Sunlight Peak, Windom Peak, Mount Eolus, and North Eolus — deep in the Chicago Basin via the Animas River Trail. It was long, it was rugged, and it was one of my favorite treks I’ve done in Colorado.
Day 1: Hiking In from Purgatory Trailhead
We chose to hike in the full way from Purgatory Trailhead rather than taking the Durango-Silverton train. The train is a solid option if you want to cut down mileage or carry less weight, but it’s expensive and skips a stunning section of the Animas River trail.
The approach trail is long — about 15+ miles to basecamp — but beautiful. Forested paths, river crossings, and alpine views keep you motivated. We set up camp near a stream with great access to water for filtering and rested up for the big day ahead.
Day 2: Summiting North Eolus, Eolus, Sunlight, and Windom
After a quick granola breakfast, we hit the trail at sunrise with a goal: summit all four 14ers in one go.
North Eolus: A sub-peak of Eolus, but still a worthy and beautiful summit with incredible views.
Mount Eolus: Demanding, with an airy ridge and technical sections that require focus.
Sunlight Peak: Challenging with some class 3 scrambling. Exposed but exciting.
Windom Peak: The final summit of the day and the most forgiving. Ending with Windom felt like a well-earned reward.
The scramble sections can be intimidating if you're not familiar with class 3 routes, so I recommend practicing on a smaller peak first if you're new to it.
We returned to camp exhausted but thrilled. That fourth summit was such a high point (literally and emotionally), and being able to crawl into the tent after that kind of effort felt like a luxury.
Day 3: The Long Hike Out
Let me be honest: the hike out is brutal. The miles along the Animas seem to go on forever, especially with tired legs from summit day. This was the most physically taxing part of the trip for me, but the scenery helped. Plus, dreams of real food and cold drinks kept us moving.
Tips for Planning Your Chicago Basin 14er Trip
Plan for 3 Days: One for the hike in, one for summiting, and one for the hike out.
Train vs. Full Hike: The train saves your legs but costs more and skips trail beauty.
AllTrails App: Useful, but mileage estimates were off by 2+ miles. Keep that in mind.
Route Research: Read up on class 3 routes for Sunlight and Eolus.
Rest Up: Get solid sleep and a big meal before summit day.
Pace Yourself: The day of the summits is long — take breaks and stay fueled.
Gear I Loved
Shoes: Salomon Sense Ride 5 trail runners. Lightweight, durable, great grip.
Stove: Fire Maple (Jetboil alternative from Amazon) — reliable and budget-friendly. (Eventually, I’d love to link this to an Amazon Associate account — it's that good.)
Meals: AlpineAire backpacking meals — genuinely tasty and easy to find.
Tent: Keep it light — you'll feel every ounce on the hike in.
Water Filter: Must-have. Plenty of nearby streams near basecamp.
Trekking Poles: Total lifesavers with a heavy pack and on steep terrain.
Gear I Regretted
Extra Clothes: Keep it minimal. You won’t care about fresh outfits out there. Just bring essential layers for cold nights and roll with it.
Final Thoughts
Backpacking into Chicago Basin and summiting all four 14ers in one day is the kind of adventure that sticks with you. It tests your endurance, rewards your effort, and reminds you how epic Colorado's wilderness really is.
Want Help Planning a Trek Like This?
At WanderWise, I help people plan their dream backpacking trips, from big summit days to relaxed backcountry loops. Whether you're new to this or just want a custom route built for your goals, reach out and let's create something unforgettable.
Have you tackled the Chicago Basin 14ers? Drop a comment or DM me — I love hearing other trail stories.
