"Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited, August 16, 2022
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DSCF0461.JPG17 viewsThe White Cloud Peaks loom above the entrance to Strawberry Basin, about 1 ½ miles north of Fourth of July Trailhead. The route is cross country from the trailhead, but intersects a trail near the saddle immediately north of the trailhead.
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DSCF0462.JPG19 viewsThe route drops into Strawberry Basin, then down steeply to Warm Springs Creek. I ended up in a densely forested section with down timber, shortly before reaching Warm Springs Creek. I don't recall this 2 years ago. I think I should have been to the east side of the canyon further.
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DSCF0464.JPG20 viewsLooking west down the Fourth of July Creek drainage and across the Sawtooth Valley to the Sawtooth Range.
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DSCF0466.JPG17 viewsAlong Warm Springs Creek, upstream from the entrance to the steep-walled canyon which leads north to Iron Basin. That may be the entrance just below the skyline.
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DSCF0467.JPG16 viewsWarm Springs Creek still had plenty of water; more than I recall two years ago. I descended to the west too far before entering what I thought was the entrance to the canyon leading north to Iron Basin. The angle of the slope never lessened, and there was no water in the drainage. Rather than trying to reach the ridge, I decided to descend, and camp at the creek. This would allow me to find the correct entrance, and climb in the cool of the morning with plenty of water and some needed rest.
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DSCF0471.JPG20 viewsI descended further to the west before entering what I thought was the correct chute. Once again, I realized it was not. The angle of the slope never lessened, but I had climbed high enough to reach the ridge without much more effort. On the ridge, I realized I was even further west than the day before. It was easy going on the ridge.
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DSCF0472.JPG17 viewsSoutheast up the Warm Springs Creek drainage to the Born Lakes. The familiar profile of Castle Peak rises above, in the distance.
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DSCF0475.JPG14 viewsI climbed to the east until I could see down into the proper canyon which led to Iron Basin, 1000 feet below. The ridge abruptly turned north at this point, climbing east to the summit of Watson Peak, marking the west entrance to Iron Basin. I was able to contour down to the 8700’ level safely, where I had camped 2 years before.
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DSCF0477.JPG16 viewsA most welcome site; the stream is running! I ran out of water descending to the canyon floor. The next water is Ocalkens Lake, at least 3 hours away, which I would rather not even descend to. There is a tarn at 8912’ just east of where I am. I have not been to it, and was not quite far enough north to see it while descending the ridge, so I’m not certain it has water. It’s after 7 pm, so I decide to set up camp and get some needed rest and an early start for the ascent tomorrow.
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DSCF0480.JPG13 viewsThe drainage has forked. Here, the east side is dry, but the west side is feeding the stream where I camped last night. There is a packer’s camp, complete with tree stump stools, just ahead in the shade of those pines. Other than that, there is no sign anyone has passed through here. It’s a short climb to the entrance of Iron Basin proper.
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DSCF0481.JPG16 viewsI arrive at the west side of Iron Basin. There is a cool tree here. Watson Peak, rising on the left, marks the entrance. Through the tree branches is the slope on the northeast side of the basin where I spotted 4 bighorn sheep last year. I’m switching to the telephoto lens now, just in case!
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DSCF0482.JPG13 viewsNo bighorn sheep to be seen. I’m disappointed, wondering where they are. I spot an interesting natural arch, which I missed on my previous excursion.
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