Basin Mountain
- Distance15.2 miRound trip
- Summit4,827 ftElevation
- Ascent~2,870 ftTotal gain
You have to pass over Saddleback to reach Basin, so this Adirondack High Peak in the Great Range is usually climbed in conjunction with Saddleback and often Haystack as well, depending on how adventurous the group is. If you include all three peaks it is a long day, but well worth it for the expansive and unique views from each summit.
The route
The hike begins from the Garden trailhead in Keene Valley. The lot is small and fills early, so check current parking and shuttle information before you go.
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0 – 3.1 mi
Garden to the DEC Interior Outpost
Hike 3.1 rolling miles toward Johns Brook Lodge. At 3 miles you will pass a campsite, taking a left at a junction shortly after the campsite. This left leads to the DEC Interior Outpost, where you pick up the Orebed Brook trail.
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3.1 – 6.2 mi
Orebed Brook trail to Gothics Col
Follow the Orebed Brook trail another 3.1 miles to Gothics Col, where you reach the intersection with the Range Trail.
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6.2 – ~7.6 mi
Over Saddleback to Basin
Take a right on the Range Trail to continue up the side of Saddleback, with great views of the slides on Gothics. The trail levels out briefly on the east summit of Saddleback, then drops into the "saddle" between the mountain's two peaks before ascending another half mile to Saddleback's actual summit.
Continue on to Basin by following the trail sharply to the right along a ledge. Turn left at the end of the ledge, carefully watching your footing as the trail descends steeply over ledges to a col after 0.3 miles. Here the trail begins ascending again, growing increasingly steep over the next quarter mile. It follows along for another quarter mile, crossing another ledge before reaching the summit of Basin.
Often hiked with
Basin is usually climbed with Saddleback Mountain, which you pass over on the way, and often Mount Haystack as well.
High Peak details
- Difficulty
- Very strenuous
- 46er rank
- #9 of 46
- Range
- Great Range
- Trail type
- Marked trail
- Trailhead
- The Garden, Keene Valley
- Ascent note
- 2,870 ft measured from Johns Brook
Trailhead and map
If you're driving into Keene Valley from Lake Placid, there is a DEC sign after the post office on the right, at Adirondack Street. Take this right. The road turns into Johns Brook Lane and you follow it 1.5 miles until you reach the Garden parking lot. There is a fee to park. The lot is small and fills early, so check current parking and shuttle information before you go.
Trail resources
- Conditions
- Conditions change fast. Check current trail conditions and DEC's High Peaks page before heading out.
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