Saddleback, Basin, Haystack - hike? backpack? mix?

[Earth Man]

I am looking for suggestions to hike and/or backpack these three peaks in a reasonable way. I'm a pretty strong hiker, but intimidated by the 20-mile crazy hikes in the Adirondacks. For perspective, I did the five Dix peaks in a day hike. Another day, I hiked up Ore Bed, over Gothics, Armstrong and the Wolf Jaws. That's close to my limit.

The book writes forbiddingly about the west sides of Saddleback and Basin. I'm wondering if these three are best split. For example:
- Day hike Saddleback and backpack Haystack/Basin staying at Slant Rock one night.
- Day hike Saddleback and Basin (insane?), and backpack Haystack another day (one overnight Slant Rock).
- OR, backpack two nights, staying at Ore Bed, over to Saddleback, Basin, Haystack, return down Phelps and back to Ore Bed for a second night. Or would Slant Rock as the base, and Haystack to Basin to Saddleback back to Slant Rock be wiser?

 

[Tom Rankin]

I am looking for suggestions to hike and/or backpack these three peaks in a reasonable way. I'm a pretty strong hiker, but intimidated by the 20-mile crazy hikes in the Adirondacks. For perspective, I did the five Dix peaks in a day hike. Another day, I hiked up Ore Bed, over Gothics, Armstrong and the Wolf Jaws. That's close to my limit.

The book writes forbiddingly about the west sides of Saddleback and Basin. I'm wondering if these three are best split. For example:
- Day hike Saddleback and backpack Haystack/Basin staying at Slant Rock one night.
- Day hike Saddleback and Basin (insane?), and backpack Haystack another day (one overnight Slant Rock).
- OR, backpack two nights, staying at Ore Bed, over to Saddleback, Basin, Haystack, return down Phelps and back to Ore Bed for a second night. Or would Slant Rock as the base, and Haystack to Basin to Saddleback back to Slant Rock be wiser?

I know people who are good hikers, but not super stars, who have done all 3 in a day from the Garden. I've done them from the John's Brook Lodge area, staying either at the Lodge or one of the cabins, both in summer and winter. There are leantos there as well. If you want to camp for free, I'm pretty sure you could get all 3 with a 1 night stay at Slant Rock. As for how difficult the peaks are, the book is probably exaggerating. If it's a nice dry day, you will not have any problems. Just take it slow and easy. If it's raining, or there is snow and ice, that might be a different story.

 

[eddie]

When I accompanied my 13 year old son on his completion of the 46, we hiked them from the Garden in one day hike, Haystack, Basin then Saddleback. It's a long day but doable on a good weather day. Ditto everything Tom wrote.

 

[Earth Man]

I tried this today. Unfortunately I banged my knee on Allen yesterday. And the sole on my right boot was coming undone. So it looks like next week for 44, 45, and 46. I had been planning to hike Saddleback, then Basin, then Haystack to leave an easy exit. But the ranger strongly advised doing the reverse, which would put me in your son's company, Eddie. Apparently since I was last up Ore Bed a couple of months ago, the staircase has been greatly expanded, easing the way down or up. In any case, the humility of small setbacks has me waiting another week. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Earth Man]

Thanks again, guys. I hiked this on Friday in 10 1/2 hours, relaxed pace, Haystack, then Basin, then Saddleback. I only recall one final stretch going up Saddleback as a bit tough. Would have been harder coming down that way. Otherwise, quite nice.

 

[eddie]

Congrats on your completion of the 46!

 

[Earth Man]

Thanks! This is also Northeast 111 for me. So I'm very happy.

 

[Peakbagr]

Congratulations on completing both lists.

Alan