"Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited, August 16, 2022
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DSCF0517.JPG6 viewsThe view southeast from my campsite at inlet, Cove Lake. I’ll be heading in that direction to cross into the Boulder Chain Lakes Basin.
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DSCF0518.JPG6 viewsClimbing a ridge west of peak 9883 after descending almost to Island Lake. This ridge will take me to the pass, and my descent to Hummock Lake. Glad to be climbing up and away from the irresponsible pet owner’s noisy dog on the far side of the lake, spoiling everyone’s wilderness experience!
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DSCF0519.JPG8 viewsThe route descending from Cove Lake to Island Lake descends close to the far side of the rock fall, under the buttress. WCP-9 is seen on the skyline. The route I’m taking to cross into Boulder Chain Lakes Basin avoids contouring to the left (south) through all that scree.
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DSCF0520.JPG6 viewsMy route involves some elevation loss, but ascends this delightful grassy drainage along a stream, alternating with solid rock buttresses. A lovely place to stop for a snack.
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DSCF0521.JPG7 viewsThis tarn is the last convenient water before Hummock Lake. I gained the ridge in the right foreground. The route crosses the ridge in the center of the photo coming down from the skyline at a point roughly one third down from the top of the frame. That point lines up with the top of left most tree on the buttress in the foreground. The route then ascends to the left in the less steep section well above the drainage.
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DSCF0522.JPG7 viewsThe I found it was more stable to climb to a point above and right of the saddle, reaching a point on the skyline almost to where the white cumulus cloud intersects the blue sky. The route unfolds nicely as one climbs.
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DSCF0523.JPG7 viewsFrom the lower part of the saddle looking north. Reaching this point involves crossing unstable rock. I seek out the most stable sections, even it means climbing higher. This photo and the next are primarily for route documentation.
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DSCF0525.JPG7 viewsThe same angle, lower down to include the tarn. I was well above this tarn, traversing the ridge behind it. I was happy to get to the top before any thundershowers arrived! The next step is to continue climbing (in the opposite direction) up and left (southeast) crossing the divide in the correct spot to descend to Hummock Lake.
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DSCF0526.JPG7 viewsLooking back up at the ridge (north) I just descended from. I’m told this crossing is named the “cheese grater”.
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DSCF0527.JPG7 viewsApproaching Hummock Lake to the south over now pleasurable terrain. I’m heading for the ‘primo’ campsite on the far side of the lake, right side, not far from the inlet. Within 50 minutes, just after arriving at my campsite, the skies darkened, and the rain began to pour. 45 minutes later, it ceased long enough to set up the tent and food hang. I was thankful it held off that long!
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DSCF0531.JPG7 viewsAlpenglow; morning, Hummock Lake. I plan to start hiking out no later than 1 pm, putting me at my car before dark. I want to fish here, and at Scoop Lake, just above. I need to get the tent and sleeping bag dried out between breakfast and fishing. I’ve never had much luck here, so I’m limiting fishing here to an hour.
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DSCF0537.JPG6 viewsA wide shot of the ridge I crossed yesterday. I descended just to the right (northeast) of the pinnacle on the skyline with the light on it. The two previous photos were taken below the pinnacle, where the angle in the drainage below it lessens, near the highest grassy area. That is roughly half way from the edge of the lake to the skyline.
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