Basin via Chicken Coop 03-16-08

[Willie]

Trail Conditions: Trail sidewalk-like from Garden to JBL. Well packed from JBL to Bushnell Falls. Off trail snow firm and supportive from Bushnell Falls to base of slides. Snow and ice covering on the slides (from top to bottom) consisted of 6" powder over a 1-2" layer of high-strength ice over 12" of powder over an ice base. Firm snow from top of slides to Range trail (northeast shoulder of Basin). Wind swept snow from Basin's shoulder to summit.

Special Equipment Required: Snowshoes - required; Crampons - helpful; ice ax - optional.

Comments: Thanks to hiking companions Peggy, Mark and Carolyn.

Willie