Approach

Date: 09/01/2023
Partner: Solo, Kristi Henes
Trailhead: Needleton
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 3300ft
Duration: 5 hours
GPX

The Noname trail has deteriorated over the years. This GPX file has a couple different tracks. Best of luck in the deadfall.

However... if the Animas is flowing low... and you are feeling sporty... consider walking the tracks north of Needleton and crossing the river where the water is shallow-ish. This will save considerable time along the tedious trail on the east side of the river.

I did the river crossing on 9/1/23 when exiting Noname. The flow was 280cfs. I was pretty excited about it. To boot... my wife Kristi was going to drive from Ouray to Durango to pick me up. Instead I was able to hitch a ride on a maintenace car back to Silverton. This saved me hours of waiting at Needleton, the train ride to Durango and Kristi driving to/from Durango.

We hiked just under 8 miles and 3800 vertical in 5.5 hours to our camp in Noname Basin.
After a train ride from Durango to Needleton we hiked two miles along the Animas to an established trail that leads to Noname Basin. We camped at the base of Peak Ten and Knife Point... roughly five miles from the river.
The sunsets on Peak 10 and Knife Point were amazing. Great place to camp with convenient water access.
Camp
Sadly our time in this incredible place had to end. After returning from Knife Point we packed up and hiked out to Needleton. The next day we caught the 11:15 train to Silverton, had lunch and took the train back to Durango. Next time the bus!
Where I crossed the river
Pretty excited about the river crossing
Tracks back to Needleton
The tourists think I'm a freak
Riding the maintenance car back to Silverton
What a great way to finish Colorado's 13ers!

Heisspitz Traverse