Coal Bank Pass to Engine Creek
Date
COST
difficulty
elevation gain & Loss
1,250ft (req.)
2,000 (optional)
Total mileage
12 (req.)
10-20 (optional)
POINTS OF INTEREST
DETAILS
ABOUT YOUR TRIP
This four day trip is a base camp trip that starts near Durango Mountain Resort. The first day of hiking is a 6-mile trek into our HQ camp at Engine Creek which passes underneath the breathtaking Engineer Mountain (elevation gain 1,000 feet and elevation loss 250 feet). The camp is nestled below a beautiful cascading stream which is situated at the timberline resulting in a wonderfully comfortable setting. The second day is a day hike into Cascade Creek basin where the route takes us along the iconic Colorado Trail. The last day is the hike out to the starting point (elevation gain 250 feet and elevation loss 1,000 feet). There is a 4-day option has an extra day hike up Engine Creek; spectacular views of the mountain ranges surrounding Telluride Colorado. Detailed: Coal Bank Pass to Engine Creek trip — Pass Creek to Coal Creek Trail Follow highlighted trail 3.4-miles to White Creek Trail junction, then continue north 1.5-miles to our camp at Engine Creek CO Trail Segment 25.
Location
Near the town of Silverton, the trek includes 13 miles of the Colorado Trail. This fossil rich area has geological formations of beds of gray shale, sandstone, and limestone layers then into a formation of light-colored granite at Cascade Creek Basin near the formidable Grizzly Peak. With its gradual ascent, this area is known for its lush, knee-high fields of wildflowers including Colorado columbine, bluebells, Indian paintbrush, and larkspur along with many others and much of the hiking along this segment is above tree line. The portion of the trail that passes by Engineer Mountain is a gently rolling trail with wonderful views of this majestic mountain.
RESOURCES
GEAR AND AGREEMENTS
LOGISTICS
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our trips originate in the high mountain town of Silverton, Colorado (elevation 9,316 feet) which is a historic mining town boasting gorgeous Victorian architecture. It’s renowned for its mountainous beauty and vivid alpine landscape, truly a postcard setting. Located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado it’s self-contained with a wide variety lodging options. Whether budget conscious, or looking for something higher end, there are accommodations suited for all tastes. The dining scene is also nicely varied with many choices (www.silvertoncolorado.com).
It is highly recommended that clients come at least a few days ahead of time to acclimate to the altitude. The nearby local airports are either Durango La Plata CO (DRO) or Montrose Telluride, CO (MTJ), and the closest major airports are Albuquerque International, NM (ABQ) or Denver International, CO. (DEN). There are many activities the surrounding areas provide, including but not limited to: exceptional hiking, jeep or ATV rentals to explore the remote high country, Mesa Verde National Park, Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango to Silverton train ride, mountain bike rentals and alpine slide at Purgatory, and outings to the nearby towns of Ouray (home of the famous natural hot springs!), the plush resort town of Telluride, and the historic town of Durango.
Our headquarters are located in Silverton at 1708 Greene St. There is an orientation meeting the night before the trip at 6 PM where the clients meet their guides, go over the details of the trip; they also receive their panniers (llama bags) which they take back to their hotel to pack up their gear that evening. The next morning at 8:30 the trip departs from the HQ (parking for clients cars available) to the trailhead. The trips return at 2-3 PM on the last day.
