Purgatory Trail (11 miles in length) starts at the Purgatory Campground
of the National Forest Service across Highway 550 from the Best Western
Motel at the Purgatory ski area.After a steep downhill, the trail turns
southeast and crosses Purgatory Flats, and then goes up and over a ridge
into the Animas River valley. The trail then proceeds northeast up the magnificent
AnimasRiver valley and ends at Needle Creek Trail which provides access
to the Weminuche Wilderness.
This is my backpacking buddy, Len Kortekaas, looking down into the Animas
River drainage from the high ridge which Purgatory Trail crosses. The Durango-Silverton
Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad runs along the Animas River.
The beautiful Animas River (which the scenic railroad follows from Durango
to Silverton) is your companion for the final 6 miles of Purgatory Trail.
Several great campsites are available in the vicinity of Needle Creek and
the Animas River. Email me for specifics.