Franklin Basin

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Franklin Basin Ski/Snowshoe, 27 February, 2022

Ten hikers and a dog turned out for the Franklin Basin exploratory activity meeting at 10 a.m. in Logan and carpooling to the trailhead. We set out across the snow at about 11 a.m. under mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures. The group crossed the Logan river which was mostly covered by ice, then across the lower meadow to the Steam Mill Trailhead. At the second meadow a group of four took a left turn toward White Pine Creek staying mostly at lower elevations. The group of six continued climbing through conifer and then aspen forest. The climbing group took a left turn at the point where in past years we would have taken a right. We ascended past a yurt and came out on a ridge, the high point of the route, at 12:45. Here we had lunch with views of upper White Pine canyon and upper Logan canyon under mostly cloudy skies.

After lunch we came down the open ridge where Jasper the dog encountered a porcupine, returning with many quills in his nose. Deanna and Laurel worked to try to remove the quills with some success. We continued, taking a left turn and descending through aspen, emerging into a large meadow where we met the group of four. The time was 2:13 p.m. Now reunited, the group came down through the lower meadows to the road, bridge and cars at 2:50 p.m.

Trip Summary:

Ten human participants and one dog: Dan (leader) Deanna, Brent, Michelle, David, Dave P, Dave W, Kathy, Chris, Laurel and Jasper (dog)
Drove 25 miles up Logan Canyon to the Franklin Basin Winter Trailhead
On the trail at 11:00, lunch about 1:00 to 1:20, back at the trailhead at 2:50
Mostly cloudy skies, calm winds and comfortable temperatures
One group traveled 4.7 miles and 1200 of elevation gain, the others went 3.8 miles with 570 feet of elevation gain (see map, below)

Thanks to Dan for the narrative and GPS data, Michelle, Kathy,and Dave P. for photos and Dave W. for photos and GPS data.


At the Steam Mill Trailhead

Sled-Skiers raced by		Traveling on snowmobile tracks

Looking over White Pine Canyon (from our lunch spot at 7200 ft. elevation)

Looking over White Pine Canyon from a higher elevation (a glacial moraine)

Lunch		Snowshoers

A small yurt, high on the hill		Jasper found a porcupine

"Groupie"(?) photos

Looking SW over Logan Canyon		Bobcat tracks?

Logan River 2022 - compare with previous years

Our GPS track shows about 4.7 miles and 1200 feet of ascent (the other group went 3.8 miles with 570 feet of ascent). You can look at our routes using Google Earth or download our GPS file.