| Maxfield Basin | |
|---|---|
| Terrain | Glades, Treed, Gullies |
| Upper Elevation | 9,303' |
| Trailhead Elevation | 7,000' |
| Typical Vertical | 2,300' |
| Location | 40.6510° / -111.6962° |
| Online Map | View on wbskiing.com |
Maxfield Basin is the rarely skied basin that branches westward from lower Mill A Gulch. The lower two-thirds of the Basin is a long, terrain-trap gully. The Basin continues up to Peak 9303.The runs off the south ridge into the Basin are avalanche prone yet good.
It's a fairly long hike for the skiing (about three hours to Peak 9303), the roly-poly gully can be cumbersome, and parking might not be allowed at the mouth of Mill A Gulch during the winter (it wasn't when I skied it a few years ago, but in 2016 it looks like the "No Parking" sign has been removed). If parking isn't allowed, you can park at the Argenta trailhead and walk 0.4 mile down the road to Mill A.
The Rock House, West Maxfield, and Maxfield avalanche paths all descend from the south rim of Maxfield Basin to the Big Cottonwood road.
Head up Mill A about a third of a mile and then bear left up the Maxfield Basin drainage.
About the name
John Maxfield built a mill near the site of Mill A after it was destroyed by an avalanche in 1856. Presumably, Maxfield Basin was named after John. "In 1985, a snow slide swept the mill to the bottom of the fork."
Beginner terrain
that is good as you develop your backcountry skills and when the avalanche danger is higher. Click for details.
Intermediate
terrain that requires more experience in skinning and skiing. Click for details.
Advanced terrain
that requires strong skiing and skinning skills. Click for details.
Expert terrain that is
challenging and a small mistake can have serious consequences. Click for details.
Extreme terrain
that includes insanely difficult chute skiing and beyond. Click for details.
The difficulty of this terrain
varies widely. Click for details.
This terrain hasn't
been rated. Click for details.
