This is an alternative to the 4th Class Section of rock at the top of the East Couloir that allows one to climb the mountain mostly on snow.  Park at Horton Lake trail head and ascend the slopes leading to the East Couloir.  Ascend the couloir to the saddle.  From the saddle traverse west over class 3 rocks descending slightly until reaching a steep face of snow on the south facing slope rising above a broad chute.  Ascend until topping out just below the last 100 ft to the summit.  An easy scramble up Class 2-3 rock leads to the summit.

East Couloir Variation

East Face Direct Couloir

East Couloir

From the base of the East Face, climb into the col directly below the center of the face. The col sweeps right, then back left, ending in the saddle above the center of the East Face.

The prominent East Couloir of Basin Mountain rises approximately 2,000 feet to a saddle, at which point a 4th class/low 5th class scramble to the Northwest will gain the summit.

Description

Location

Protection

Routes in Basin Mountain