Most viewed - "Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited (again!), August 19, 2024
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DSCF1019.JPG1 viewsThe pink outcrop is left of that tree. I want to climb up, crossing to the left above it. This is where the optional route through the loose scree described in DSCF0997 joins the route I prefer.
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DSCF1022.JPG1 viewsLess snow here than usual.
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DSCF1024.JPG1 viewsNE down Big Boulder Creek. Island Lake is hidden from view. I'm pleasantly surprised at the lack of smoke.
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DSCF1025.JPG1 viewsThis last traverse to the lower saddle is probably the crux of the ascent because the scree is so loose! Everything wants to slide and take me with it!
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DSCF1026.JPG1 viewsArriving at the lower saddle, looking SSE. The crossing is on the skyline, roughly, the middle of the frame. There are several places one can cross, in fairly close proximity. The only way to be sure is to look down and see if it will go safely.
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DSCF1032.JPG1 viewsAfter a full hour of descent, I must feel comfortable enough to take this photo of Hummock Lake to the SE.
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DSCF1033.JPG1 viewsForty minutes later I am finally out of the steep scree, on to much nicer grassy slopes. I've already decided to skip the so-called primo horse camp on the SE side of Hummock Lake, in favor of Scoop Lake. I can expedite that by using the isthmus on the W side of Hummock. The route on the right of frame looks like it involves some boulder-hopping I prefer to avoid after a long day.
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DSCF1042.JPG1 viewsAlpenglow; peaks SW of Scoop Lake. In the time I spent talking with Derek, a group of four arrived at Scoop Lake and set up camp at the spot I was heading to on the other side of the peninsula near the SW end of the lake. I backtrack to a site near the outlet of Scoop Lake. Last year, that site was occupied by another party. The tent was a tight fit, and surprisingly, I was able to easily sink all but one of the 8 stakes. I set the hang, made dinner, and got my rod prepared for morning. No trout tonight, so I made the heavier of the remaining dinners to lighten the load for the hike out. The 6 day old weather report remained accurate. We were in for some weather!
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DSCF1044.JPG1 viewsFrom my camp, NNW to the 'cheese grater', about on third of the from the left edge of the frame. Hummock Lake is hidden from view.
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DSCF1049.JPG1 viewsThe climb S to Windy Devil is still in shade. I still want to catch that trout before climbing out of here.
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DSCF1051.JPG1 viewsI threw back at least one small trout while fishing off the peninsula near the SW end of the lake. It's a good place as one can cast several directions, depending on the wind, and the water is deep. The small ones bit, but the larger, smarter fish checked out the grasshopper and left quickly. I decided to quit. It was already 11 am, and I wanted to get going nasty weather closed in. Just E of the peninsula, I saw a cove that was protected from the wind. This fish struck on the first cast. Not very big, but I was afraid if I released it, it might die anyway. I decided to pack it out.
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DSCF1055.JPG1 viewsAnother shot of the 'cheese grater'. As stated earlier, the pass is in the vicinity of the low point of the saddle, but several notches go; pick the one that looks good to you. Just beyond the foreground rock slide is a nice place to camp, but a group beat me to it last night. They were out of there early, anticipating the weather.
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