My husband and I decided that this year was our window of opportunity to experience together Chicago Basin in southwestern Colorado. We’d need to ride the Durango-Silverton train which would drop us off deep in the San Juan National Forest. From there, we’d backpack into the Weminuche Wilderness along a steep six-mile trail into the basin.
Thirty-nine years ago, I backpacked with office colleagues to about a mile and a half from Snowmass Lake. The hike was stunningly beautiful, with many views and without any other hikers. I’ve wanted to return to the area ever since then but injuries from a car accident had made that impossible, until this year. Earlier this month, Dave and I backpacked to the lake and encountered numerous surprises and refreshing vistas.