Durango to Needleton Train Reservations are Open for Summer

[terribletigzy]

Durango to Needleton Train Reservations are Open for Summer, availability is limited (see past threads). I have a reservation leaving Saturday 9/3 and returning Tuesday 9/6, which is labor day weekend. I imagine this will be a popular weekend, so if anyone winds up needing a reservation for that weekend, feel free to PM me and I will see if we can add you to the group.

Additionally, depending on timing, it seems likely that I would be able to make it back to the train to leave on Monday 9/5. Can anyone confirm that the train will still pick me up even if I am one day early?

Edit: I am probably going to try to hit Jupiter as well while I am back there, so probably sticking with the Tuesday return.

[Skimo95]

Last June, I was going to call my trip after the failed attempt at Jagged. GPS’d my girlfriend, and they told her I cannot come one day early (maybe if it wasn’t full)? Needless to say I won’t be needing the train again this year, too much of a hassle personally. On the other hand if you could just show up at elk park and hitch a ride, that’d be sweet.

[hellmanm]

Durango to Needleton Train Reservations are Open for Summer, availability is limited (see past threads). I have a reservation leaving Saturday 9/3 and returning Tuesday 9/6, which is labor day weekend. I imagine this will be a popular weekend, so if anyone winds up needing a reservation for that weekend, feel free to PM me and I will see if we can add you to the group.

Additionally, depending on timing, it seems likely that I would be able to make it back to the train to leave on Monday 9/5. Can anyone confirm that the train will still pick me up even if I am one day early?

Edit: I am probably going to try to hit Jupiter as well while I am back there, so probably sticking with the Tuesday return.

They will pick you up early but if you had a fancy reservation, you'd probably still end up in the outdoor car. I might be interested in those dates -- how soon would you need to know by?

[terribletigzy]

They will pick you up early but if you had a fancy reservation, you'd probably still end up in the outdoor car. I might be interested in those dates -- how soon would you need to know by?

No fancy reservations for me, whatever was cheapest!

But absolutely no rush, right now it's just me and my girlfriend going, I'll probably hold two spots for some friends in case they want to join. I only have 4 claimed spots out of the group (9 or 15 spots max, I don't recall which). I am sure reservations are still easy to get, but figured I would make this post and give people the option to join if needed as the date approaches.

[douglas]

I also have a reservation for Aug. 14 going and 17 returning if anyone needs to jump on a group.

[cedica]

Can anyone confirm that the train will still pick me up even if I am one day early?

I was one day early and conductor just made some amiable comment, like, "oh, you are day early".

But bartender on the train will probably gouge your eyes out if you forget to tip, don't ask me how I know.

[nmjameswilson]

If they have open seats they will let you on a day early or late. I have never heard of it being a problem with open seats but being Labor Day that might be different.

[JGiffinPhotog]

I might be interested in joining you for that weekend if a spot is open.

[Alpinefroggy]

Made a reservation for the 4th. Solo for the moment.

[osprey]

What are the logistics of joining a group - are you given a ticket showing you are a member of the group?
And how does it work if you join a group going in for 4 days/ 3 nights but you are planning on 3 days/ 2 nights - are you allowed to leave one day early before the group and what documentation do you need to show you have gone in with a group?
And one final question to cover all the options: if you join a group going in for 3 days/2 nights but you need 4 days/ 3 nights to get all the peaks then are you allowed to leave a day later or do you need to leave with the group on the third day?

[Scott P]

Just a thought, but instead of being a day early on your departure you can always do Jupiter Mountain or go over Columbine Pass or a number of other things. There definitely isn't a shortage of other things (besides the 14ers) to do in the Chicago Basin area.

[Aphelion]

What are the logistics of joining a group - are you given a ticket showing you are a member of the group?
And how does it work if you join a group going in for 4 days/ 3 nights but you are planning on 3 days/ 2 nights - are you allowed to leave one day early before the group and what documentation do you need to show you have gone in with a group?
And one final question to cover all the options: if you join a group going in for 3 days/2 nights but you need 4 days/ 3 nights to get all the peaks then are you allowed to leave a day later or do you need to leave with the group on the third day?

I don't know a firm answer to when you can return with/out a group, but as it was explained to me when I did it a couple years ago, the whole group needs to leave on the same train. There isn't any group documentation that I remember, you just can't buy a ticket for any departure time other than your group reservation.