Sawtooth Lake loop via Trail Creek, North Fork Baron Creek, Grandjean Idaho; revisted July 8, 2023

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DSCF0576.JPG5 viewsWildflowers and creek on the initial climb toward McGown Lakes.Jul 13, 2023

DSCF0575.JPG7 viewsI believe this is a new signpost. The previous sign was bolted to a tree that had fallen, as photographed in the gallery dated one year and one day earlier. Cumulus continues to build over the Stanley Valley.Jul 13, 2023

DSCF0574.JPG6 viewsThe first lingering snow on the trail at 8000 feet, approaching the turnoff for McGown Lakes to the east. I can remember approaching this junction from the north, roughly fifteen years ago, while a fire was burning in the area I'm hiking through now.Jul 13, 2023

DSCF0573.JPG4 viewsTohobit Peak, left, and Grandjean Peak, right, on the Monte Verita ridge. At 11:30 a.m., vertical development of cumulus over the ridge portends afternoon thundershowers.Jul 13, 2023

DSCF0572.JPG5 viewsThe Monte Verita ridge extends northwest towards Grandjean and includes Tohobit and Grandjean Peaks. Hidden from view, to the southeast (left) on this same ridge is Warbonnet Peak. The ridge culminates at Monte Verita, a complex group of granite spires at over 10,000 feet, southwest of Baron Lake.Jul 13, 2023

DSCF0571.JPG5 viewsObservation Peak to the north, toward Stanley LakeJul 13, 2023

DSCF0570.JPG5 viewsWell past the signpost marking the turnoff for Trail Creek Lakes, the views open up to the southwest as the trail climbs north toward Stanley. Through the burned trees, one can see the Monte Verita ridge rising above Baron Creek, well to the south.Jul 13, 2023

DSCF0569.JPG4 viewsI hiked this section once with a botanist who knew the names of every plant in Idaho. Now I wish I'd asked that person more questions.Jul 13, 2023

DSCF0568.JPG4 viewsThe volume of water in Trail Creek suggests to me that the runnoff from snomelt peaked a few weeks earlier, lessening my anxiety about crossing the North Fork of Baron Creek.
Jul 13, 2023

DSCF0567.JPG7 viewsJust upstream from the crossing, I saw a couple gals to the left of the log, who had managed to completely lose the trail. This happens fairly often at stream crossings. They were delighted that I suggested a route to get them back on track.Jul 13, 2023

DSCF0566.JPG4 viewsThe second crossing of Trail Creek. A nice place for a snack. This group caught up with me while fooling around with the camera, trying to figure out what setting I inadvertly changed on my camera, resulting in a dramatic red shift in the image. Hooray! I fixed it!Jul 13, 2023

DSCF0564.JPG5 viewsThe wildflowers already looked stressed at this low elevation.Jul 13, 2023

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Idaho Exposure

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