Most viewed - "Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited, August 16, 2022
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DSCF0475.JPG14 viewsI climbed to the east until I could see down into the proper canyon which led to Iron Basin, 1000 feet below. The ridge abruptly turned north at this point, climbing east to the summit of Watson Peak, marking the west entrance to Iron Basin. I was able to contour down to the 8700’ level safely, where I had camped 2 years before.
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DSCF0480.JPG14 viewsThe drainage has forked. Here, the east side is dry, but the west side is feeding the stream where I camped last night. There is a packer’s camp, complete with tree stump stools, just ahead in the shade of those pines. Other than that, there is no sign anyone has passed through here. It’s a short climb to the entrance of Iron Basin proper.
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DSCF0482.JPG14 viewsNo bighorn sheep to be seen. I’m disappointed, wondering where they are. I spot an interesting natural arch, which I missed on my previous excursion.
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DSCF0556.JPG13 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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DSCF0490.JPG12 viewsThe final approach to the ascent to the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle is strewn with huge potato bug looking insects I later learn from Tempe Regan, a biologist studying at BSU, are Mormon crickets. The plan is to climb the firmer rock on the buttress on the left, to the horn, pass it on the left, and traverse to the ridge on a goat trail. The route is steeper than it appears here, using a 30mm (35 mm equivalent) wide lens. I’m concerned about lightning, having already felt a few passing raindrops, but have hea
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DSCF0546.JPG12 viewsHalf way around Born Lakes (9555’) the freight rain arrives on time at 4:30 pm.
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DSCF0558.JPG12 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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DSCF0560.JPG12 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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DSCF0487.JPG11 viewsThe objective comes into view; the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle on the skyline (mid-frame). I plan to leave the trail just above that rock outcrop near the bottom of the frame below D. O. Lee Peak, which is on the skyline, just right of center. My route climbs through the trees to the right of the frame, entering Bighorn Basin (about mid-frame, on the vertical axis). I believe the trail descends to Ocalkens Lake (on the extreme left of frame); I’d rather not lose that much elevation.
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DSCF0498.JPG11 viewsFrom the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle, the view west-southwest beyond Ants Basin, across the Sawtooth Valley to the Sawtooth Range. This is view is slightly further west than photo 495.
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DSCF0499.JPG11 views5 mountain goats, including two lambs, came bolting down from the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle to this spot above the cascading waterfall that leads down to Cirque Lake on the left. One lamb split off from the group, staying high above the tarn. The others gathered just in front of the rock in the center of the photo. I turned around to put the long lens on my camera, but when I turned back, they had vanished. There were tracks in the snow.
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DSCF0501.JPG11 viewsThe goat continues traversing the snowfield, seemingly reluctant to descend any further.
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