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Home > "Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited, August 16, 2022

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DSCF0525.JPG
 DSCF0525.JPG10 viewsThe same angle, lower down to include the tarn. I was well above this tarn, traversing the ridge behind it. I was happy to get to the top before any thundershowers arrived! The next step is to continue climbing (in the opposite direction) up and left (southeast) crossing the divide in the correct spot to descend to Hummock Lake.
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 DSCF0557.JPG10 viewsFrom the ridge south of Ants Basin, Peak 10111, (left foreground) north of Blackman Peak, northwest, and above Ants Basin. Strawberry Basin (further beyond left frame line), which I passed through five days ago, is west of Peak 10111'.
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 DSCF0486.JPG9 viewsThe trail appears when the sides of the basin constrict the choice of path. Finally heading downhill, toward some steep switchbacks. Someone I asked to do this trip with me years ago complained, “too much up and down!”. Isn’t that what the mountains are about?
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 DSCF0494.JPG9 viewsI arrive at the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle about 5 pm, an hour and a half after starting. I can see rain falling to the east-southeast, and felt a few drops on the ascent, but there was none of the feared lightning. Below is the inlet to Cirque Lake. Below that is Sapphire and Cove Lakes, all in the Big Boulder Lakes Basin.
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 DSCF0496.JPG9 viewsFrom the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle, the view northwest beyond Bighorn Basin. Right of center is the entrance to Iron Basin where I came from. Three quarters to left of frame, close to skyline, is summit of Watson Peak. Just right of center, vertically in the center, is the horn I climbed behind. A faint goat trail leads toward the bottom right corner of the frame.
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 DSCF0500.JPG9 viewsThis appears to be the juvenile, high above the tarn, keeping a close eye on me.
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 DSCF0508.JPG9 viewsAnother view of the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle above the inlet to Cove Lake.
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 DSCF0513.JPG9 viewsSomebody camped up above me at Sapphire asked if the gap on this ridge was new. I didn’t think so. It shows up in photos I took here two years ago.
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 DSCF0515.JPG9 viewsMorning, southeast from the inlet at Cove Lake.
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 DSCF0518.JPG9 viewsClimbing a ridge west of peak 9883 after descending almost to Island Lake. This ridge will take me to the pass, and my descent to Hummock Lake. Glad to be climbing up and away from the irresponsible pet owner’s noisy dog on the far side of the lake, spoiling everyone’s wilderness experience!
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 DSCF0519.JPG9 viewsThe route descending from Cove Lake to Island Lake descends close to the far side of the rock fall, under the buttress. WCP-9 is seen on the skyline. The route I’m taking to cross into Boulder Chain Lakes Basin avoids contouring to the left (south) through all that scree.
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 DSCF0520.JPG9 viewsMy route involves some elevation loss, but ascends this delightful grassy drainage along a stream, alternating with solid rock buttresses. A lovely place to stop for a snack.
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