Basin is one of the highest peaks along the ridge of peaks known as 'The Great Range'. Basin has a very interesting and attractive summit cone. The summit is above the trees and drops off steeply in all directions. Situated at the high end of The Great Range, Basin offers excellent views of all kinds of interesting nearby mountains: Marcy, Haystack, Gothics, Saddleback, Big Slide, Dix, etc. Basin is most likely reached by taking the Phelps trail from the Garden trailhead, and the trails themselves leading up to Basin's summit are also quite rewarding in places.