"Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited, August 16, 2022
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DSCF0538.JPG7 viewsClimbing out of Boulder Chain Lakes Basin, I stop just before reaching Windy Devil near the top of the climb. At 2:38, I’m roughly an hour past my plan to leave the basin at 1 pm. I fished Scoop Lake (closest in frame) from that isthmus. The fish started biting the mosquito I tied on, and I landed a 10” rainbow. The hook was deep, so I decided to pack the fish out in a plastic bag, rolled up in my ensolite sleeping pad to insulate it. The "Cheese Grater" is directly above the highest lake on the left.
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DSCF0539.JPG7 viewsFamiliar Castle Peak viewed from the vicinity of Windy Devil. The Serrate Ridge descends from Castle Peak on the right to the upper middle of the frame. I'm aware of the approaching thundershowers in the background.
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DSCF0540.JPG6 viewsThe tarn southwest of Windy Devil comes into view. Beyond that, my next objective; the tower with the keyhole marking the top of the “Devil’s Staircase” on the skyline frame right. It is a gentle climb to the base, culminating in 4 steep switch backs to reach the saddle just right (north) of the pinnacle. I descend the more northerly chute to Born Lakes. See https://idahoexposure.com/hike/thumbnails.php?album=40 for more photos.
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DSCF0543.JPG7 viewsArriving at the tarn southwest of Windy Devil. Castle Peak on the right; the Serrate Ridge descends dramatically all the way to the left frame line. Descending toward Castle Peak leads one to Shallow Lake, past Scree Lake, and eventually, Quiet Lake. I met a couple as I was leaving Scoop Lake who had come that route from Born Lakes. They were making extremely good time! I know from experience.
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DSCF0546.JPG10 viewsHalf way around Born Lakes (9555’) the freight rain arrives on time at 4:30 pm.
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DSCF0547.JPG9 viewsThe rain continues in earnest, despite blue sky to the west. I put on my mountain parka, and use the rain cover for my pack. If it gets worse, I have gaiters, and rain pants, but being optimistic, I hold off for now. The fishing is usually pretty good here, but I press on, wanting to reach the car in the light—unlike my last trip here!
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DSCF0556.JPG10 viewsFrom the ridge south of Ants Basin, the view north down the Warm Springs Creek drainage. Behind that ridge (in the light) north of Warm Springs Creek lies Iron Basin. The highest peaks on the right are the more northerly White Cloud Peaks. Fortunately, the rain has stopped.
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DSCF0557.JPG9 viewsFrom the ridge south of Ants Basin, Peak 10111, (left foreground) north of Blackman Peak, northwest, and above Ants Basin. Strawberry Basin (further beyond left frame line), which I passed through five days ago, is west of Peak 10111'.
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DSCF0558.JPG10 viewsThe “Devil’s Staircase”, west northwest from the ridge south of Ants Basin. I descended the more northerly chute on the right. The chute to the south is hidden behind a rock rib, and lies below the large shadow, just above the center of the frame, below the pinnacle.
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DSCF0559.JPG10 viewsFrom the ridge south of Ants Basin, close on one of the White Cloud Peaks northeast of Ants Basin.
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DSCF0560.JPG11 viewsFrom the ridge south of Ants Basin, I was hoping to see the entrance to Iron Basin above Warm Springs Creek. The haze, and the fact that is in shadow make it very difficult to see.
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DSCF0561.JPG12 viewsFrom the ridge south of Ants Basin, the White Cloud Peaks northeast of Ants Basin.
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