Peak 15 and Pigeon Peak - San Jaun's 2005

Bob Ader's last Bi-centenial

The drive on Thursday night after work was OK. We made it to Wolf Creek Pass, which was closed from 10PM to 5AM for construction and blasting. So we found a campsite at a National Forest campground and slept until about 4:30AM. We had plenty of time to catch the train.

Camping  at Wolf Creek Pass                                                        Arriving at Durango

  Catching the 9AM train to Needleton                                               Bob & Kris on board

The train ride north to Needleton is a great way to access the Wiminuche Wilderness.

The morning was sunny and fresh                                        

We spent some time in the open carriage with great views of the mountains.

The 11:15AM stop at Needleton was at about 11:30. We started off up the steep trail to North Pigeon Creek drainage. After about 3500 feet of gain, we were glad to set the packs down in the campsite.

Setting up camp

The view of Pigeon and the 12,860' pass from camp

Bob, climbing #200 at the 12860' pass

Looking into the New York basin, over the pass

Traversing to the south of Pigeon and Turret peaks

The route up the Turret-Pk15 gulley

Rappelling down with the smile of victory!

John on the traverse back

Looking down at camp from the pass

Resting back at camp

Climbing Pigeon the next morning

Views from Pigeon to the north                                              

Headin' back to Durango