Most viewed - "Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited, August 27, 2023
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DSCF0749.JPG6 viewsThe moon rose over the mountains to the east just after 9 pm. The breeze, along with the cooler air, kept mosquitoes to a minimum.
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DSCF0751.JPG6 viewsThe plan today is to head southeast to the outlet of Cove Lake and climb through the "Cheese Grater", the high mountaineering pass between Big Boulder Lakes Basin and the Boulder Chain Lakes Basin.
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DSCF0756.JPG6 viewsI am now ascending to the ridge which leads up and right (south) to the small tarns before the final push to the pass. I should have descended a bit closer to Island Lake to avoid some brief boulder-hopping to gain the grassy ridge just ahead.
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DSCF0760.JPG6 viewsThe two highest tarns come into view from the ridge just to the north. I'm headed for that low gap on the skyline.
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DSCF0761.JPG6 viewsCareful routefinding here saves time and effort. I find it best to climb just under the vertical rock on the right side of frame, then move left (south) crossing the friction slab as high as practical. Ascend the most solid terrain as close as possible to that solid outcrop just below the skyline mid-frame.
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DSCF0762.JPG6 viewsI gained the saddle right (west) of the low point, above the right edge if the perennial snowfield. The rock is most unstable just before reaching the saddle. I look for the most solid rock traversing up to the saddle.
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DSCF0789.JPG6 viewsThe trail opens up to this view north into Ants Basin after making a steep climb within the first mile after leaving Born Lakes. The entrance to Iron Basin is marked by those two peaks on the left (northwest) edge of frame, above the ridge in the foreground, and below the ridge on the skyline.
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DSCF0793.JPG6 viewsI reach the top of the ridge above Ants Basin before 7:15 pm. I change to the telephoto and have a well-deserved snack while taking photos in the fading light. The entrance to Iron Basin is on the left edge of the frame. Watson Peak on the west side of Iron Basin is the highest peak visible in this shot.
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DSCF0639.JPG5 viewsHiking gets more difficult as one nears Warm Springs Creek. This is the third time I have descended through here. Following this drainage for the most of the descent may be the easier route. The red stain on the west facing slope is an indicator that the entrance to Iron Basin is further northwest.
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DSCF0643.JPG5 viewsTwenty-five minutes of working through fallen timber leads to the crossing. There is a good trail on the east side. It couldn't be more welcome!
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DSCF0642.JPG5 viewsForty-five minutes later, I'm reaching the flatter, heavily forested section, strewn with down timber. Take the path of least resistance. Take heart; Warm Springs Creek is not far.
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DSCF0648.JPG5 viewsI start my ascent into Iron Basin, staying well east of the gorge. A map indicates a trail, but it is not evident. Game trails start, then vanish. If one keeps climbing, one eventually stumbles onto a trail.
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