TR: Taboose to Ionian Basin and back, 8/9-8/16, 2023

[Moonwalker]

It sounds like a beautiful trip on top of the world! And how wonderful to do it with your son. When I get a chance to pack with one of my children, it is extra special to me.

I also hike in Altra Lone Peak--I have to wear women's sizes to get them narrow enough for my feet, but they fit wonderfully and they have essentially eliminated my blister problems as well as being as light as trail runners. One problem with them--I wear out a pair every year--they are not durable.

It was all of that, thanks. And ain't that the thing with ultralight, they'll make it light, but it will be expensive, and it usually won't last long. I definitely feel lucky I can afford to do this stuff. Cheers to everyone who make up this community. -Eric

[robertseeburger]

What a great trip report.
The pure distance travelled, cross country in snow..is amazing.
Being 67 I still hope to get to Ionian Basin some day. I love the pics of the frozen lakes there. Another year missed.
Maybe next year.

[maxr22]

Thank you for the good trip report. Would you be able to describe the approach you took for black giant pass? I am curious. Was it something like the picture below?

InkedCapture.jpg

[Moonwalker]

Thank you for the good trip report. Would you be able to describe the approach you took for black giant pass? I am curious. Was it something like the picture below?

InkedCapture.jpg

No, we stayed on the rock islands to the left of the route on your picture. Can you see a small rock island that looks like a flying owl, wings out and bending down? We headed for that. Stayed on the rocks except to move up between them for the short distances you can see. Once we were high enough it was an easy walk over to the pass. Much easier than it looked, but the original plan was to minimize the exposure. -Eric

[Harlen]

I dig the owl-- looks like a "barnie." I wonder if your energetic son raced up Black Giant Peak? It has one of the finest views, and is an easy romp up. Maybe you'll do it max.

IMG_0507.JPG

View south from BG, and off to the southeast the view of the Palisades is fantastic.

[LordXar]

Was the taboose pass trail totally gone, and alot of snow? Was that first campe (for about 4/5 tents), about 5 miles up, snowy? Or only at the very top?

[Moonwalker]

I dig the owl-- looks like a "barnie." I wonder if your energetic son raced up Black Giant Peak? It has one of the finest views, and is an easy romp up. Maybe you'll do it max.


IMG_0507.JPG View south from BG, and off to the southeast the view of the Palisades is fantastic.

Great suggestion, that's one of my favorite views as well. When we got up to BG pass we were worried we'd get stormed on, and pretty keen to see what was waiting for us in Ionian Basin. It didn't even occur to us to go up there. But I took him there on one of his first trips, 7 years ago. Here he is coming down through the scree:

909D277E-FF5D-4DCA-986E-94596D82E023_1_105_c.jpeg

[Moonwalker]

Was the taboose pass trail totally gone, and alot of snow? Was that first campe (for about 4/5 tents), about 5 miles up, snowy? Or only at the very top?

No the trail was intact all the way to the top, where it got a little lost in some snow. That camp was fine. -Eric