Most viewed - "Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited, August 16, 2022
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DSCF0523.JPG9 viewsFrom the lower part of the saddle looking north. Reaching this point involves crossing unstable rock. I seek out the most stable sections, even it means climbing higher. This photo and the next are primarily for route documentation.
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DSCF0526.JPG9 viewsLooking back up at the ridge (north) I just descended from. I’m told this crossing is named the “cheese grater”.
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DSCF0527.JPG9 viewsApproaching Hummock Lake to the south over now pleasurable terrain. I’m heading for the ‘primo’ campsite on the far side of the lake, right side, not far from the inlet. Within 50 minutes, just after arriving at my campsite, the skies darkened, and the rain began to pour. 45 minutes later, it ceased long enough to set up the tent and food hang. I was thankful it held off that long!
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DSCF0537.JPG9 viewsA wide shot of the ridge I crossed yesterday. I descended just to the right (northeast) of the pinnacle on the skyline with the light on it. The two previous photos were taken below the pinnacle, where the angle in the drainage below it lessens, near the highest grassy area. That is roughly half way from the edge of the lake to the skyline.
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DSCF0538.JPG9 viewsClimbing out of Boulder Chain Lakes Basin, I stop just before reaching Windy Devil near the top of the climb. At 2:38, I’m roughly an hour past my plan to leave the basin at 1 pm. I fished Scoop Lake (closest in frame) from that isthmus. The fish started biting the mosquito I tied on, and I landed a 10” rainbow. The hook was deep, so I decided to pack the fish out in a plastic bag, rolled up in my ensolite sleeping pad to insulate it. The "Cheese Grater" is directly above the highest lake on the left.
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DSCF0522.JPG8 viewsThe I found it was more stable to climb to a point above and right of the saddle, reaching a point on the skyline almost to where the white cumulus cloud intersects the blue sky. The route unfolds nicely as one climbs.
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DSCF0531.JPG8 viewsAlpenglow; morning, Hummock Lake. I plan to start hiking out no later than 1 pm, putting me at my car before dark. I want to fish here, and at Scoop Lake, just above. I need to get the tent and sleeping bag dried out between breakfast and fishing. I’ve never had much luck here, so I’m limiting fishing here to an hour.
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DSCF0539.JPG8 viewsFamiliar Castle Peak viewed from the vicinity of Windy Devil. The Serrate Ridge descends from Castle Peak on the right to the upper middle of the frame. I'm aware of the approaching thundershowers in the background.
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DSCF0543.JPG8 viewsArriving at the tarn southwest of Windy Devil. Castle Peak on the right; the Serrate Ridge descends dramatically all the way to the left frame line. Descending toward Castle Peak leads one to Shallow Lake, past Scree Lake, and eventually, Quiet Lake. I met a couple as I was leaving Scoop Lake who had come that route from Born Lakes. They were making extremely good time! I know from experience.
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DSCF0540.JPG8 viewsThe tarn southwest of Windy Devil comes into view. Beyond that, my next objective; the tower with the keyhole marking the top of the “Devil’s Staircase” on the skyline frame right. It is a gentle climb to the base, culminating in 4 steep switch backs to reach the saddle just right (north) of the pinnacle. I descend the more northerly chute to Born Lakes. See https://idahoexposure.com/hike/thumbnails.php?album=40 for more photos.
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DSCF0516.JPG7 viewsAlpenglow; D. O. Lee Peak above the inlet at Cove Lake.
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DSCF0517.JPG7 viewsThe view southeast from my campsite at inlet, Cove Lake. I’ll be heading in that direction to cross into the Boulder Chain Lakes Basin.
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