Most viewed - "Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited, August 27, 2023
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DSCF0770.JPG8 viewsI fished a bit longer than planned, trying unsuccessfully to hook into that elusive 14" trout. It should take less time to pack up. It's almost 3 pm. I camped in those dead trees, left of the closer edge of the lake. Left my hydration reservoir tucked in by a log last night; some animal bit a hole in it. Fortunately, my extra 2 liter Platypus bottle will work.
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DSCF0771.JPG8 viewsI hiked up to Headwall Lake, and fished the deep water below the steep rocks half way around the far side of the lake. No luck. The top of the "Cheese Grater" is on the skyline about one third the distance from the pinnacle (directly above Headwall Lake) to the peak on the right of frame. This shot gives you an idea of how steep that route is.
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DSCF0776.JPG8 viewsAs I move right to head him off, another female grouse appears from behind the boulder that is in front of the tree, heading in the opposite direction. They run off-- too fast to get them both in another shot.
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DSCF0778.JPG8 viewsClimbing higher on the plateau, to the north side of the pinnacle, the keyhole is revealed.
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DSCF0791.JPG8 viewsOne can see the two chutes of the “Devils Staircase” shot from the ridge above and west of Ants Basin. The north chute I descended is entered at the tree on the skyline, just left of the smaller pinnacle left of the highest pinnacle. The chute is wide, and many paths crisscrossing back and forth. I have not explored the south chute. Much of it is shadowed by a subsidiary ridge, hidden from view.
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DSCF0794.JPG8 viewsAt 55 mm, the wide end of the telephoto takes in Watson Peak on the far left (northwest) to WCP-8 on the far right (east) towering above the Warm Springs Creek drainage.
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DSCF0629.JPG7 viewsSouth toward the trail head. Fourth of July Lake is to the southeast, behind the ridge in the foreground.
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DSCF0634.JPG7 viewsThe west face of D. O. Lee Peak is bisected by an east-west ridge with D. O. Lee Peak (11342) on the east (frame right) and WCP-8 (10557') .9 mile west (left) on the ridge (center of frame). The high saddle between D. O. Lee Peak and W. C. P. 9 which leads to Big Boulder Lakes is hidden from view. This same feature is visible from the west side of Toxaway Lake.
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DSCF0637.JPG7 viewsMeadow at roughly 8700' level in Strawberry Basin.
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DSCF0645.JPG7 viewsForty minutes later, the trail enters an open area with lots of down timber. Fresh saw cuts in down timber make for much easier going than last year.
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DSCF0657.JPG7 viewsThis natural arch is high on the steep north side of Iron Basin proper. This is the section I've saw fourteen bighorn sheep in August 2020. None to be seen this trip!
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DSCF0658.JPG7 viewsThis burned tree marks the entrance to Iron Basin proper-- the west-east section at 9200'.
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