Basin Lakes are short steep hikes from W-fork Canyon 2000m. Lower lake is 2440m 4K from start, upper 2770m is 7.5K up. Got 1km past lower lake 2580m, then too deep ice/frozen slush. Even w spikes, not appealing. Disorienting indeed to see area completely bare almost to the lake. Even more to see it completely open w no real ice/snow around or on. We are in cooler pattern at least, -1C at turn-back 👍🏽. Trail was frozen most of the time. #climatecrisis #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains #gye