"Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited, August 27, 2023
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DSCF0778.JPG6 viewsClimbing higher on the plateau, to the north side of the pinnacle, the keyhole is revealed.
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DSCF0780.JPG6 viewsGetting much closer to the top, I take another photo of the keyhole with the same 35 mm lens.
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DSCF0781.JPG6 viewsFour switchbacks lead to the top. The vegetation keeps the trail from being eroded away. One can see in earlier shots that water from recent thunderstorms cut a path straight down the face.
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DSCF0782.JPG7 viewsThe view down the steep west face to the Born Lakes. I'm told their are two chutes. The chute on the south side is supposed to be better for climbing, while the north chute is better to descend. I've only descended via the north chute, so I can't confirm this.
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DSCF0784.JPG5 viewsThe more northerly chute is just right of center, about one quarter down from the top of the frame. The most tedious part of the descent was the lower one third. The talus is extremely unstable. That last section took longer than I recall-- it's already 5:30. Needless to say, I was happy to get off it.
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DSCF0785.JPG5 viewsThe highest of the Born Lakes. I would love to stop and fish. If I don't fish, I can get to the Fourth of July Creek trailhead around 8:30 pm. That leaves enough light to get down that 11 mile gravel road. I opt to keep moving.
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DSCF0786.JPG8 viewsThe west side of the same lake. I have camped here numerous times. The fishing is usually pretty good. It thunder showered here on my way out last year. There always seems to be at least one party camped here.
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DSCF0787.JPG5 viewsA grassy meadow between the lakes. Since I'm carrying the camera on the shoulder strap, I don't hesitate to take the photo. If I had to take the pack off to get the camera out, I probably would have kept right on g is on the right (east).
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DSCF0788.JPG5 viewsBorn Lakes is a popular destination. There are numerous paths around the lakes. This welcome signpost confirms I am on the trail headed in the right direction. A right turn here would descend Warm Springs Creek, taking me to the where I was on day one after crossing the creek at the base of Strawberry Basin.
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DSCF0789.JPG5 viewsThe trail opens up to this view north into Ants Basin after making a steep climb within the first mile after leaving Born Lakes. The entrance to Iron Basin is marked by those two peaks on the left (northwest) edge of frame, above the ridge in the foreground, and below the ridge on the skyline.
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DSCF0790.JPG5 viewsThe steep climb to the ridge above Ants Basin is in the shade by the time I reach it. In the center of the skyline is the pinnacle just south of Devil's Staircase. The trail to Born Lakes is on the right (south) of the photo.
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DSCF0791.JPG5 viewsOne can see the two chutes of the “Devils Staircase” shot from the ridge above and west of Ants Basin. The north chute I descended is entered at the tree on the skyline, just left of the smaller pinnacle left of the highest pinnacle. The chute is wide, and many paths crisscrossing back and forth. I have not explored the south chute. Much of it is shadowed by a subsidiary ridge, hidden from view.
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