Phelps Trail Info

[bstewie]

Thinking about climbing Haystack and Basin via the Phelps trail from the Garden. Anyone know the trail conditions and water crossing status?

[Hear the Footsteps]

Hi,
I climbed Basin and Haystack last Sunday. Trail from the Garden was for the most part pretty good especially in the morning; though it was softening in the afternoon. There were sections of bare spots beginning to develop but no mud yet. It has been warmer this week and may have rained.

All the way from the Garden to the leanto just across Johns Brook near Chicken Coop Brook I work microspikes. Changed to snowshoes because of fresh snow, you may not have to. To Slant Rock trail it was firm.

I went up Shorey Shortcut, then to Basin, to Haystack and out. Shorey was soft. Rest of trail sections had good support underneath.

The Johns Brook crossing and the brook crossing near Slant Rock were still iced in.

On the climb to Basin the steep sections were very nice and only one spot was there even a little ice. That was were a section of ice was guarding the top of the the ladder which itself was buried half way. At the last really steep long slab section I went around but I could have climbed it as there was still alot of snow cover.

Hope that helps.

[bstewie]

Big help.

Thank You!