So-called "Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop", August 24, 2020
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DSCF0303.JPG31 viewsWest form the inlet of Cove Lake to the saddle between D. O. Lee Peak (left) and WCP9. I never tire of watching the shadows of clouds traverse these peaks. It’s only 11:15 am, and already clouds are building. The weather report, already three days old, indicated a 50% chance of thunderstorms yesterday (which did not disappoint), with a 20% chance today. The smoke and haze has vacated for the time being; Hooray!
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DSCF0304.JPG32 viewsA rare shot of the author holding the one that didn’t get away. A rainbow about the same size broke the line where the tippet met the leader in a few inches of water, and headed for deep water, taking my grasshopper dry fly with him! After tying on a new leader, adding tippet, and tying another grasshopper to the end of the tippet—a project which takes me much longer than it should—I hooked into this rainbow on the first or second cast. Needless to say, I was extremely careful about landing the fish.
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DSCF0307.JPG26 viewsThis is largest trout I have taken in an alpine lake; 15”. I caught the smaller one earlier, and kept it because I really wanted to be certain I had some high quality protein to supplement the backpack meals I carried in (and out, as luck would have it).
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DSCF0309.JPG26 viewsClouds continue to build over WCP9; inlet, Cove Lake.
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DSCF0310.JPG26 viewsD. O. Lee Peak, 1:35 pm-- photographed same time as previous shot.
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DSCF0311.JPG25 viewsThe view to the ENE. As recent regulations require fires to be built at least 200 yards from the lake, I prepared a spot to cook my trout up and away from my camp, and the lake. Earlier, I cooked the smaller trout. I’m now thinking about cooking the larger one, as the cloud development could easily result in thundershowers this evening. It is now 5:35 pm.
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DSCF0314.JPG25 viewsThe vertical development over D. O. Lee Peak is a good indicator thundershowers are not far off. Within 20 minutes, it starts pouring, accompanied by wind, thunder and lightning. I retreat to my tent, taking apart my fishing pole. I rains hard for 45 minutes and abruptly ceases. Now all I have to do is get the fire going so I can cook the big trout—a task which proves to be much more difficult than I thought, even using my cartridge stove like a flame-thrower! At least there is still enough light…
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DSCF0315.JPG20 viewsDespite foregoing fishing in favor of an earlier start crossing south to the Boulder Chain Lakes, it is already 11 am when my goal, the saddle (on the skyline, hidden behind the black buttress mid-frame), becomes apparent from the southeast end of Cove Lake. I decide to drop down to Island Lake to take advantage of a ridge climbing southwest to the same point reached alternatively by contouring across the loose talus on the right of the photo. This ridge is evident below the sharp peak on the skyline.
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DSCF0316.JPG15 viewsJust above Island Lake! Boulder-hopping is avoided by staying close to the headwall of the buttress after dropping into the drainage. I would rather lose 580’ elevation, and climb an enjoyable ridge, than repeat, once more, the route documented in Idaho Alpine Zone, “side-hilling” through ankle-breaker size talus.
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DSCF0317.JPG20 viewsHeading southeast above Island Lake to the ridge leading up the right skyline.
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DSCF0318.JPG20 viewsAbout 1 pm, I am rewarded with cool running water in the grassy drainage below two small tarns. It’s the perfect spot to re-hydrate with an electrolyte-infused sports drink. Island Lake is far below on the right.
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DSCF0319.JPG21 viewsThe lower of the two tarns encountered alternating between the ridge and the drainage. Here I move right (N) to re-gain the ridge.
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