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Red Mountain Basin or Bench Valley Lakes?

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 12:36 pm
by BakoGal
If I only have time to explore one area out of the Maxson trailhead, would you choose Red Mountain Basin or Bench Valley lakes?

I won't be fishing, just want to enjoy splendid views. I like my granite with a smattering of trees. The fewer people, the better. And I'll have my hiking buddy dog along.

Thanks for any advice/recommendations.

Re: Red Mountain Basin or Bench Valley Lakes?

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 1:46 pm
by maverick
If I only have time to explore one area out of the Maxson trailhead, would you choose Red Mountain Basin or Bench Valley lakes?
Check out the many TR's with photo's to those areas and then make decision, what is appealing to one person may not be to another, this decision is very individual/personal and you should based it on your preferences. Both are pretty, personally RMB would be my choice of the two, but if Black Cap was thrown into the mix then it would be my top choice. :)

Re: Red Mountain Basin or Bench Valley Lakes?

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 2:03 pm
by BakoGal
Hah, I just logged on to add Blackcap Basin to the list!

Re: Red Mountain Basin or Bench Valley Lakes?

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 2:13 pm
by Cross Country
I really liked all 3. I went to Bench Vally 2 times to 1 each of the other two. They're all really good but my trips showed that I like Bench Vally a little bit more. On two of those trips I also visited south Goddard canyon and more.

Re: Red Mountain Basin or Bench Valley Lakes?

Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 6:19 am
by tlsharb
Well, I've been in RMB the last three summers, and Bench last summer. I love to fish, so if I had to go to one, it would be RMB. But since you don't fish, it is a real toss up. The southern part of RMB is gorgeous. I particularly love camping at Blackrock Lk. From there you can climb up to Horseshoe and Artic lakes, climb Hutton Col, or loop around and tackle Lucifer's Saddle. Hell for Sure pass is a short jaunt, and the views are amazing. Last summer we spent a few days in the upper part of Bench....camped at Crabtree. Really beautiful basin. The lower part around Guest was kind of blah for my tastes. If you do hike into Bench, make sure to take the use train that heads uphill right after you cross Falls Creek. Much shorter than going up to Big Maxson meadow and then taking the "official" trail.
As far as Blackcap goes...well I hope to be there by noon on Wednesday. We start in around 5pm Tuesday night, and are just going to hike till midnight...which should get us to the meadow. Then on to Blackcap. After that, we have no idea what we are doing, but I'm leaning on a loop through Finger Col, down to Lake 10,232, up over to Martha, and then home via Hell for Sure. We shall see.
ts

Re: Red Mountain Basin or Bench Valley Lakes?

Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 7:01 am
by AlmostThere
Well, I guess we'll see you out there somewhere, starting Monday....

Note that Goddard is in the park. I think the sign was missing last time. I've seen people take their dogs over the divide. But there is a ranger in McClure Meadow, and being fined is a possibility....

Re: Red Mountain Basin or Bench Valley Lakes?

Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 7:30 am
by sekihiker

Re: Red Mountain Basin or Bench Valley Lakes?

Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 1:00 pm
by BakoGal
Thank you all for the wonderful replys...so many choices!