“There may be up to 2 feet of snow in places on the trail,” the ranger told me when I called about conditions on the trail.

The possibility of hiking in snow made it even more inviting to the ten AZ Trailblazers who joined me for the Inner Basin hike on May 29, 2010. Not only did we get to see and hike in the snow, we had the pleasure of using the new route to the Inner Basin created by the National Forest Service.

Instead of the steady heart-pounding uphill climb on a maintenance road that accompanies the old route, the new route is a pleasurable climb of very gradual switchbacks and long stretches of flat trail that goes through old growth Aspen stands. Unfortunately, the aspen are being attacked by a black fungus which is making them unhealthy.

The new trail joins the Waterline Trail at the top and resumes the old route from the Forest Service Cabins to the Inner Basin.

Once at the Inner Basin, we stopped for lunch and to play in the snow.

Karen Larson, Ajay Kak and Eileen Root felt the need to build a snowman which we nicknamed “Rudy”.

Suddenly, snowballs started flying and everyone was in on the act.

I finally got everyone together for one last group photo.

We returned to the trailhead on the new trail.

Some went to the Beaver Street Brewery for refreshments afterwards except Karen Larson and Cyd Cassel who camped at the Bonito Campground.

We could not have asked for better weather, a better trail, or better company for the day.