Idaho Exposure

Hiking, Climbing, Backpacking, Snowshoeing, Backcountry Skiing. Photos by Thomas Oetzell; idahoexposure.com


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DSCF0621.JPG9 viewsThe cross-country route climbs north, north west from the Fourth of July Creek trail head. After a 40 minute climb, one reaches this saddle southwest of Blackman Peak.
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DSCF0623.JPG9 viewsLooking east toward Fourth of July Lake.
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DSCF0624.JPG7 viewsAcross the Sawtooth Valley, one can see Mt. Cramer on the north and Snowyside Peak to the south. The latter in encountered on the Petit-Toxaway loop between Alice and Toxaway Lakes. The 11 mile road leading to Fourth of July Creek trail head climbs the drainage in the center of the photo.
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DSCF0626.JPG6 viewsThe Sawtooth range on the horizon, across the Sawtooth Valley, a bit further north.
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DSCF0627.JPG6 viewsThis is the second time I have come across tents on the plateau above Strawberry Basin to the north. The views are nice, but there is no water here.
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DSCF0628.JPG6 viewsThe trail ascends to this point overlooking Strawberry Basin, with the first views of the White Cloud Peaks.
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DSCF0629.JPG6 viewsSouth toward the trail head. Fourth of July Lake is to the southeast, behind the ridge in the foreground.
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DSCF0631.JPG6 viewsI'm thinking that peak furthest west, to the left of the peak with the shadow (below the cloud), is Mount Cramer, above Imogene Lake. Let me know if I'm wrong!
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DSCF0634.JPG5 viewsThe west face of D. O. Lee Peak is bisected by an east-west ridge with D. O. Lee Peak (11342) on the east (frame right) and WCP-8 (10557') .9 mile west (left) on the ridge (center of frame). The high saddle between D. O. Lee Peak and W. C. P. 9 which leads to Big Boulder Lakes is hidden from view. This same feature is visible from the west side of Toxaway Lake.
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DSCF0635.JPG6 viewsThe deep recession, to the left and above the center of frame, leads into Iron Basin, my destination this evening.
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DSCF0636.JPG5 viewsLooking down into Strawberry Basin. It is easier to leave the rocky trail, and walk in the meadow as soon as possible. My first navigational error today was to continue too far down the rocky pack trail.
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DSCF0637.JPG6 viewsMeadow at roughly 8700' level in Strawberry Basin.
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