The first morning: waking up in a lean-to near the trailhead.

The group makes its final preparations before heading up the Johns Brook valley underneath the fall foliage.

It's a beautiful morning for hiking.

Boaz

”I think we should go that way“

Brian and Raj

Johns Brook Lodge

Bushnell Falls

Acadia and Hannah enjoy a moment in the sunshine.

Johns Brook

Corijn

Crossing Johns Brook

The first signs that there might be more ice than we expected.

And more ice ... better get used to it!

Miro

As we reached the ridge crest vistas opened up in all directions. This is looking northeast.

What's your preference: icy ladders or icy rock?

Following the Blue Trail up Basin Mountain

A brief rest break and photo op ...

... with a great view of Mt. Haystack

Near the peak of Basin Mountain.

It sure is windy up here!

The summit of Basin Mountain

Miro admires the view from the top

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Is this really the way down?

One more peak to traverse, then down to the campsite.

Making our way up Saddleback, but it's getting long in the day.

Uh, oh. The ice on Saddleback has made the trail impassable - and it will be dark in twenty minutes.

We made camp in the high pass between Basin Mountain and Saddleback Mountain. The next morning, Tracy was glad to hear that we'd found another way around Saddleback.

Remember to check that you have the right tent poles before leaving home!

Wow, fun detour!

Daniel at the top of Saddleback for the second time this morning.

Raj makes sure no one has been left behind.

We're all here!

And on an easy trail home.

Everyone's happy to stop for a hot meal.

Follow the yellow flagged trail...

Tracy and Hannah are glad to be out of the ice and back on a maintained trail!

Hiking back on the other side of Johns Brook.

Acadia finds a way across Johns Brook

I think there's an easier way, Raj!

Andrej

Back at the van and eager to warm up!