Most viewed - "Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited (again!), August 19, 2024
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DSCF0900.JPG3 viewsLooking SSE toward the trail head.
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DSCF0905.JPG3 viewsThe first view of the White Clouds; WCP-8 (10557'), below the cloud on the right. The ridge to the right leads to D. O. Lee Peak (11342') 0.9 mile east hidden from view. Limestone gives The White Cloud Peaks their stark white appearance. This same feature is visible from the west side of Toxaway Lake in the Sawtooth range across the valley to the W.
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DSCF0909.JPG3 viewsThe trail continues on the E side through large scree for a quarter mile or so before reaching the valley floor. I found it advantageous to descend as soon as possible to the dry stream coarse. One can already see the entrance to Iron Basin SE of Watson Peak, the reddish colored peak on the skyline left of center.
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DSCF0910.JPG3 viewsThe descent steepens here. Sometimes it's easiest to follow the bottom of the drainage, other times it is better on the NW slope just above the stream coarse.
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DSCF0916.JPG3 viewsI crossed Warm Springs Creek at a place where it had divided into two channels, making it easier.
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DSCF0918.JPG3 viewsWCP-8 (10557') on the right. The pyramid shaped peak below the higher large cumulus is WCP-6 (10777').
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DSCF0921.JPG3 viewsI was glad I had taken enough water with me to spend the night as I failed to find the stream around the 8700' for the second year in a row. I'm not carrying a GPS or altimeter, which would make navigation easier, and my pack heavier. There is a lake at about 8900' E of Iron Basin. I have yet to climb up to it.
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DSCF0928.JPG3 viewsAlpenglow; Watson Peak to the E.
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DSCF0934.JPG3 viewsLooking back W to Watson Peak. The slope on the right (N) is where I've seen Bighorn Sheep as well as mountain goats on previous trips.
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DSCF0937.JPG3 viewsThe route is more obvious in this shot from the pass which leads to Ocalkens Lake, and the entrance to Bighorn Basin.
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DSCF0938.JPG3 viewsI still need water for the ascent to the saddle between D. O. Lee Peak and WCP-9. Last year I was able to get water out of the stream flowing into Ocalkens Lake by crossing the meadow on the right, intersecting the stream well above the lake. This year I had to descend all the way to the lake. The climb from the lake is east of Bighorn Basin, and although steeper, the trees provide welcome shade most of the way up.
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DSCF0939.JPG3 viewsCalkens Peak on the skyline right (S) of the cumulous cloud just behind the skyline. The western-most is the higher summit according to the Lopez book. This peak is the next peak N of WCP-9. It is usually ascended from the E.
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