Terry and Barb,
We stayed at Vallecito Lake last Summer for a few days. I can't remember the name of the RV Park, but it surely could be the one where you are staying. It was "way in", near the trailhead for the Wemenuche Wilderness. In our backpacking days we have both entered and exited the wilderness into and from that trailhead. One time we entered on the Creede side of the Wilderness and came out into that trailhead on the Durango side. That required a vehicle on both sides and a long day's drive around when we got out to retreive the vehicle we left back at the Rio Grande, 30 miles out from Creede.
We have also taken the train to Silverton. Once we got off midway (at Needle Creek) and hiked into the Wilderness up to Chicago Basin then over Columbine Pass and, again, out at the Vallecito trailhead.
I do think you are wise to take the train only one way. You probably have good reason to go the way you have indicated, but, if possible, my preference would be to take the train UP to Silverton and the bus back to Durango. Though, I must admit, I have never taken the bus either way.
One thing I have not done is to pull a trailer over the 'million dollar highway' between Durango and Ouray, though I have been over it in an automobile many, many times. Ouray is one of our favorite places to visit in Colorado. Our stays there have been in B&Bs, not in campgrounds.
We were just through Durango last month, but we just passed on by. We were on the way home with stops at Yellowstone, Zion, North Rim Grand Canyon, and Mesa Verde. We just didn't have time to stop at one of our favorite places in Colorado: Durango. So have a great time! And let us know more about your enjoyment there.
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