Continued from the previous page.

ALASKA BASIN TRAIL THRU THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE BASIN

At the trail intersection below Buck Mountain Pass I turned right (toward the west) on Trail #027, what I've been calling the Teton Canyon Trail  through the southern half of the basin. In the basin I call it the Alaska Basin Trail like the maps do.

Here's the detailed National Geographic map again:

I'm going left (west, then north) of the #2 toward the lakes.

Since I've been on this trail several times I knew where it went and it was much easier to pick it up again each time I crossed the snow. The snow fields weren't as far across, either.

Heading down from the high point in the basin

Looking back toward Buck Mtn.

The trail continues down about 2½ miles to the lower level of the basin.

I slid on my butt down another long snow bank that was too steep to cross. I went perpendicular to the trail that was buried under snow right below the trees:

I was afraid I'd lose my footing on the steep hill. It was safer to just slide down on my butt. There weren't any of those red minerals in the snow at this location so it's harder to see where I slid down.

I could see the switch-backing trail down below so I just picked it up on the other side of the creek, short-cutting about 1/4 mile of trail:

The trail continues on the right side of the creek.

That was fun! Cody thought so, too. That dog will follow me anywhere.

The trail continued switch-backing down through the southern portion of the basin past scenic creeks, waterfalls, and rock formations. I've been in this half of the basin before but never when it had this much snow.

I was totally fascinated with all the snow; it makes mountains more interesting visually.

Above and below: one of the streams that form South Teton Creek

 

Looking back to Buck Mountain again

When the basin loop turned north before the lake area I could see "The Wall" in the distance (next photo).

The first part of the basin loop is below the horizontal arrows in the picture below. That's where I was hiking a few hours earlier! Now I was following the trail next to the lower arrows I drew:

Most of the snow was gone by the time I reached the Basin Lakes and the intersection with the Teton Crest Trail:

One of several pretty Basin Lakes

Veiled Peak (L) and Buck Mtn. in the distance

HUSTLIN' ON DOWN

I had told Jim I should be home by 6 PM but it took me so long with all the snow detours, photos, etc. that I had to hustle down from the basin to make it on time.

I tried to call him from the basin. I had a signal there but he didn't have one down in the lower canyon at Reunion Flat. I sorta kinda “ran” when I could through the canyon and didn’t take very many pictures on the way back. The trail is so very rocky in some places, however, that it’s tricky to run even if you have good knees.

One of many creeks to ford today (above); this one is just before the Teton Crest Trail
splits off to the north (R, below). I stayed left and went down the Teton Canyon Trail.

When I took those photos I still had almost eight more miles to go! That doesn't mean I stopped taking pictures; I just didn't take as many.

I saw a total of five backpackers, two day hikers, two equestrians,

and two dogs on the Teton Canyon and Teton Crest trails but none in Alaska Basin.

I expected to see more people on such a beautiful summer day. Some schools are back in session so I guess most of the tourists are gone now.

A little farther down the trail: view of Buck Mountain in background

I didn't see very much wildlife, either. I've often seen moose and deer on the Teton Canyon Trail but I didn't see any today.

I’m tired and sore tonight. So is Cody. But we sure had fun today!! We’ll sleep well tonight and heal up soon so we can go back out and have more fun in the mountains in another two or three days.

JIM'S BUSY DAY

Jim and I did a rather complicated routine with the truck today but it was a win-win for both of us.

I drove our truck two miles out Teton Canyon Road to the trailhead this morning before Jim got up. A couple hours later he rode his bike to get the truck (that's two miles so far), put his bike in the back, and drove the truck down to Driggs. He did laundry, went to the grocery, got online, and rode his bike on the bike path to Victor and back (17 more miles).

Almost out of the lower basin now; you can see the snow 'way up by Buck Mtn. where I was hiking.

After running errands he returned to the campground until about 5 PM. I was due back at about 6. He drove the truck to the trailhead and left it for me to drive home when I was done. He rode his bike back two miles to the camper, for a total of 23 bike miles.

That way he 1) got in some extra miles on his bike, 2) didn’t have get up early to take me to the trailhead, and 3) didn't have to wait for me at the trailhead when I got done (later than planned, and no phone signal to tell him).

It also saved me from having to hike two miles to the trailhead and/or two miles back. Then I would still be out there!

Next entry:  camping at Reunion Flat in Teton Canyon

Happy trails,

Sue
"Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil, and Cody the Ultra Lab

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© 2011 Sue Norwood and Jim O'Neil