Trip Report: Snowshoe - NTD, to Greens Basin In Big Cottonwood Canyon


Snowshoe - NTD, to Greens Basin In Big Cottonwood Canyon
By Teri Jenkins
SNOWSHOE 11/29/2024 NTD
On a sunny Friday, after Thanksgiving, 16 people showed up to hike to Greens Basin in Big Cottonwood Canyon. What a lovely day it was. The participant snowshoers included veteran clubbers and newbies, led by Teri D. Jenkins and Mark Jones. Mark could not hike with us, due to a knee injury, but he was there at Butler Elementary parking lot, giving us smiles and moral support. The snowshoers included myself, David, Knick, Beth, Dave, Tony, Russell, Deirdre, Linda, Cindy, Paula, Steve, Lisa, Heidi and Yi. My apologies for not including last names. After strapping on snowshoes in the Spruces Campground parking lot, we began our ascent on this beautiful, sunny, crisp late morning. The faster hikers went ahead, while the slower ones made steady pace up Days Fork, to the turnoff to Greens Basin. Because this hike is a club tradition, most knew the trail well, and the hikers in front created a perfect snowshoe path for those behind. The snow base was very established and the snow was perfect for a hike through snow covered trees, up the shady, steep gulch, and then on to the switchbacks through the forests leading up to the gorgeous, sun sparkled basin. A final trail was made by our lead snowshoers, up the hill to the top where a tarp was laid down and a feast of treats awaited those who lagged behind. Delightful company, much laughter and talk, delicious treats from the Thanksgiving tables of the day before, homemade cookies, and bread, stuffing and sweet potato casseroles, much chocolate, all capped off with cold red wine, made for a wonderful lunch. What a great way to spend a day, up in the crystal clear sun, sky and snow with likeminded friends. I, for one, did not want to leave our gorgeous destination and lunch spot. Time for photos and some quick snow angels, then to the trail to head back. The trail down seemed so much faster, even with our full bellies. What's a lovely wait to spend the day after Thanksgiving. Thanks to all for showing up, for hiking with us, for your smiles and friendship and willingness to share some hours in our gorgeous mountains. To cap off a lovely day, we saw the most beautiful hoar frost I have ever seen, sparkling in the sun on the tiny plants bordering our trail on the way down. One has to witness this ethereal phenomena for oneself; it cannot be described. Just one of many natural delights of our wintry mountains.