The trail to Haystack was broken to Slant Rock. We made great time to the junction with the Range trail. It is hard to describe the views we had from both Little Haystack and Haystack, just spectacular. Marcy, Skylight, and the Great Range were within hands reach the sky was so clear.
We were back at the junction by noon. Spence, Brain, Steve, Mimi, Nancy, and Ron decided to do Basin and Saddleback. The Range trail was not broken and we knew Shorey Short Cut was unbroken also. Going to Basin meant we must continue onto Saddleback. The conditions were right, so off we set. The descent was quick but the .7 miles to the top of Basin was real work. We reached the top by 2 pm. Once there we immediately moved on. The backside of Basin at the sharp turn was very icy, so some of us took to the trees.
When they say this is some of the most rugged parts of the Dack's they aren't lying. The climb down from Basin was very steep but the deep snow helped. In the col between the two, the weather began to change. The wind picked up and a light snow began to fall.
To be continue because of the problems I have been having posting.
