17.9 miles
Distance
5,948 ft
Climb
-5,947 ft
Descent
3 miles
High Point
1 ft
Altitude change
8,224 ft
Altitude min
8,230 ft
Altitude start
8,232 ft
Altitude end
-107.5%
Grade max
166.1%
Grade min
9 miles
Distance climb
9 miles
Distance down
4,213 ft
Distance flat

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Detailed Description
Eolus Group is a 18 mile less popular extreme route located near Durango Colorado. This hike primary route. This route includes 6 trails. This route climbs 5,948 ft with a max elevation of 13,992 ft then descends -5,947 ft.
Tags
River or creek

Trail Products

Stats

  • Distance
    18 miles
  • Avg time
    2 hr 28 min
  • Altitude change
    1 ft
  • Altitude min
    8,224 ft
  • Altitude start
    8,230 ft
  • Altitude end
    8,232 ft
  • Climb
    1 mile
  • Descent
    -5,947 ft
  • Grade max
    -107.5%
  • Grade min
    166.1%
  • Distance climb
    9 miles
  • Distance down
    9 miles
  • Distance flat
    4,213 ft

1 Review & Comments


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Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Purgatory Resort
  • Primary Activity
    Hike
  • Other Activities
    • Trail Running
  • Difficulty rating
    Double Black Diamond

Directions

  1. Walk east on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  2. Continue for 500 meters.
  3. Walk southwest on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  4. Continue for 400 meters.
  5. Walk south on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  6. Continue for 300 meters.
  7. Walk south on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  8. Continue for 400 meters.
  9. Walk east on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  10. Continue for 500 meters.
  11. Walk east on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  12. Continue for 400 meters.
  13. Walk southeast on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  14. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  15. Walk southeast on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  16. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  17. Walk southeast on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  18. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  19. Walk southeast on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  20. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  21. Walk east on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  22. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  23. Walk northeast on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  24. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  25. Walk north on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  26. Continue for 600 meters.
  27. Walk north on Needle Basin.
  28. Continue for 700 meters.
  29. Walk northeast on Needle Basin.
  30. Continue for 600 meters.
  31. Turn left onto Mount Eolus.
  32. Continue for 200 meters.
  33. Walk west on Mount Eolus.
  34. Continue for 600 meters.
  35. Walk west on Mount Eolus.
  36. Continue for 500 meters.
  37. Walk north on Mount Eolus.
  38. Continue for 300 meters.
  39. Walk north on Mount Eolus.
  40. Continue for 300 meters.
  41. Walk west on North Eolus Summit Trail.
  42. Continue for 200 meters.
  43. Turn right onto Mount Eolus.
  44. Continue for 100 meters.
  45. Walk southwest on Mount Eolus.
  46. Continue for 200 meters.
  47. Walk north on Mount Eolus.
  48. Continue for 200 meters.
  49. Walk northeast on Mount Eolus.
  50. Continue for 100 meters.
  51. Walk north on Mount Eolus.
  52. Continue for 30 meters.
  53. Walk east on Mount Eolus.
  54. Continue for 60 meters.
  55. Walk southeast on Mount Eolus.
  56. Continue for 40 meters.
  57. Walk south on Mount Eolus.
  58. Continue for 200 meters.
  59. Walk southeast on Mount Eolus.
  60. Continue for 200 meters.
  61. Walk southeast on Mount Eolus.
  62. Continue for 200 meters.
  63. Walk east on Mount Eolus.
  64. Continue for 300 meters.
  65. Walk east on Mount Eolus.
  66. Continue for 200 meters.
  67. Walk northeast on Mount Eolus.
  68. Continue for 300 meters.
  69. Walk east on Mount Eolus.
  70. Continue for 90 meters.
  71. Walk southwest on Needle Basin.
  72. Continue for 700 meters.
  73. Walk south on Needle Basin.
  74. Continue for 400 meters.
  75. Walk south on Needle Basin.
  76. Continue for 400 meters.
  77. Walk southwest on Needle Basin.
  78. Continue for 100 meters.
  79. Walk southwest on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  80. Continue for 100 meters.
  81. Walk southwest on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  82. Continue for 100 meters.
  83. Walk southwest on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  84. Continue for 600 meters.
  85. Walk south on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  86. Continue for 500 meters.
  87. Walk southwest on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  88. Continue for 800 meters.
  89. Walk west on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  90. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  91. Walk west on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  92. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  93. Walk northwest on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  94. Continue for 2 kilometers.
  95. Walk northwest on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  96. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  97. Walk northwest on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  98. Continue for 700 meters.
  99. Walk west on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  100. Continue for 500 meters.
  101. Walk north on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  102. Continue for 600 meters.
  103. Walk northeast on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  104. Continue for 300 meters.
  105. Walk north on Needle-Johnson Creek.
  106. Continue for 90 meters.
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Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Needle-Johnson Creek
Aug 9, 2026 @ 3:00pm (America/Denver)
Aug 9, 2026
Trail a bit broken up from rain the week before we hiked up on August 4. It was already fixed on our way down on August 6. Beautiful views of the creek, trees and mountains.
more reports »
  • By clairegombaTF Pro & contributors
  • #38072 - 512 views

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