Basin Mountain (13,240 ft) from Horton Lake

Basin Mountain from Horton Lakes trailhead
Basin Mountain from Horton Lakes trailhead

When you drive along 395 through the Bishop area there are a few prominent peaks that define the skyline. The biggest, most impressive summit is Mount Tom. Tom has always brought a smile to my face because it presides over one of my favorite places in the world, and therefore it has held a place on my Sierra bucket list.  It’s neighbor, Basin Mountain, also has an interesting sawtoothy ridge line that I’ve always wanted to see up close. Finally the chance came this year when I booked backpacking permits for Labor Day weekend – a three night base camp at Horton Lake with day climbs of Basin and Tom.

 

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Lassen Full Moon trip

Lassen
Lassen

After an entire season of bad weather snowcamping, we finally got out on the snow this weekend when the sun was shining. Mtnsteve organized a Full Moon trip in Lassen through TrailTalk/Nothern CA hikers. He had a perfect campsite picked out on a ridge rising out of the Devastated Area and up toward Lassen Peak. I haven’t enjoyed views like that from camp in a long time. The sun was shining so bright most of us walked out of there with some part of our bodies burned, but this trip more than made up for the bad weather this season has thrown at us. Well, maybe it still owes us a few nice days for that Winnemucca fiasco back in December…

The moon was shining so bright that I swear some of my sunburn is really moonburn. It lit up the area so bright that I barely needed my headlamp, even when digging through my pack for something at 11 pm. All in all, a successful trip – great weather, great people, great views, great food.

My photos from the trip: Lassen Snowcamping.

Maria has also posted some wonderful photos here and here.

Mtnsteve’s photos are here.