"Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited (again!), August 19, 2024
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DSCF1035.JPG1 viewsHere sits Derek, on a boulder (since he offered me his chair), posing for his portrait. He is setting up camp in a great place I have camped before, after taking a swim. He walked in from Fourth of July Creek trailhead, via Devil's Staircase, this morning.
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DSCF1036.JPG1 viewsA rare shot of the author, with leg bloodied by a move on the descent that was a bit too dynamic, being updated on weather and fires by his neighbor. He shows me a few of the luxuries he carried in, including a chair and pillow. I'm tempted to stop right here and enjoy the camaraderie, but I know there is a trout with my name on it waiting for me at Scoop Lake, twenty minutes up the hill. I'm told nobody is there.
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DSCF1042.JPG1 viewsAlpenglow; peaks SW of Scoop Lake. In the time I spent talking with Derek, a group of four arrived at Scoop Lake and set up camp at the spot I was heading to on the other side of the peninsula near the SW end of the lake. I backtrack to a site near the outlet of Scoop Lake. Last year, that site was occupied by another party. The tent was a tight fit, and surprisingly, I was able to easily sink all but one of the 8 stakes. I set the hang, made dinner, and got my rod prepared for morning. No trout tonight, so I made the heavier of the remaining dinners to lighten the load for the hike out. The 6 day old weather report remained accurate. We were in for some weather!
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DSCF1044.JPG1 viewsFrom my camp, NNW to the 'cheese grater', about on third of the from the left edge of the frame. Hummock Lake is hidden from view.
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DSCF1046.JPG1 viewsCloser (200 mm) on the previous day's descent route; the 'cheese grater'. Again, I prefer the solid rock to the scree trails. Solid handhold on steep terrain offer so much comfort.
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DSCF1047.JPG1 viewsThe wide end of the telephoto (55 mm) on the previous day's descent route; the 'cheese grater'. This descent involves good route finding and an ability to judge what will go, and what will not.
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DSCF1048.JPG1 viewsThe Z Pack Duplex fit snugly into this spot near the outlet of Scoop Lake.
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DSCF1049.JPG1 viewsThe climb S to Windy Devil is still in shade. I still want to catch that trout before climbing out of here.
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DSCF1051.JPG1 viewsI threw back at least one small trout while fishing off the peninsula near the SW end of the lake. It's a good place as one can cast several directions, depending on the wind, and the water is deep. The small ones bit, but the larger, smarter fish checked out the grasshopper and left quickly. I decided to quit. It was already 11 am, and I wanted to get going nasty weather closed in. Just E of the peninsula, I saw a cove that was protected from the wind. This fish struck on the first cast. Not very big, but I was afraid if I released it, it might die anyway. I decided to pack it out.
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DSCF1054.JPG1 viewsThe clouds had already closed in, shading the steep climb (S) out of Scoop Lake toward Windy Devil. A wet sleet began falling. I thought about digging in the top packet of the pack for the rain cover I remembered to bring this trip, but figured it would stop by the time I found it. I kept climbing. The peninsula I enjoy fishing from is in the foreground. The breeze continues to blow across the lake.
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DSCF1055.JPG1 viewsAnother shot of the 'cheese grater'. As stated earlier, the pass is in the vicinity of the low point of the saddle, but several notches go; pick the one that looks good to you. Just beyond the foreground rock slide is a nice place to camp, but a group beat me to it last night. They were out of there early, anticipating the weather.
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DSCF1057.JPG1 viewsNot quite to Windy Devil, the Serrate Ridge on the left (N) extends down from Castle Peak further (S). By now I was hearing thunder and getting a bit concerned about lightening, which, thankfully, did not develop.
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