Little Haystack Loop via Phelps Trail(edit)

Basin #15- 4,827' Saddleback #16- 4,515' Easy hike up the John's Brook valley to slant rock. Campsites and water everywhere. Very tranquil section of trail. JB has crystalline water and lovely pools. Slant rock area makes a great spot for a peak bagging basecamp. Shorey short cut trail is steep! Lots of wet spots from after Slant rock to Basin summit. - Fun scrambles with positive holds up Basin. Light breeze on top, warm. Views of Marcy and Haystack are phenomenal! Rugged country. - The best scramble in the Dacks is to be found on Saddleback! Loved it. Exposure, amazing views, a few routes to choose from, perfect :) Clouds rolled in on Saddleback, still warm. - 4.45 hrs to Basin summit - 45 min from Basin to Saddleback - American Toads, shrew, down in the valley - 75 degrees down low - Marcy Brook was 46 degrees!!!

Basin #15- 4,827' Saddleback #16- 4,515' Easy hike up the John's Brook valley to slant rock. Campsites and water everywhere. Very tranquil section of trail. JB has crystalline water and lovely pools. Slant rock area makes a great spot for a peak bagging basecamp. Shorey short cut trail is steep! Lots of wet spots from after Slant rock to Basin summit. - Fun scrambles with positive holds up Basin. Light breeze on top, warm. Views of Marcy and Haystack are phenomenal! Rugged country. - The best scramble in the Dacks is to be found on Saddleback! Loved it. Exposure, amazing views, a few routes to choose from, perfect :) Clouds rolled in on Saddleback, still warm. - 4.45 hrs to Basin summit - 45 min from Basin to Saddleback - American Toads, shrew, down in the valley - 75 degrees down low - Marcy Brook was 46 degrees!!!

Loooooong day. Bridge to parking area was unmoderated repair and had to take shuttle from Marcy Field. Big, long hike. Ended up missing the last shuttle back - had to use ranger station satellite phone to text Austin and walk out in the dark with my headlamp all the way back to Marcy field along back roads and Highway. Ended up walking 23 miles or so total. Feet and toes felt it. Actual mountains and summits were nice and hike was very nice as well, notwithstanding the shuttle issues.