Most viewed - "Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited (again!), August 19, 2024
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DSCF1078.JPG3 viewsFinishing the climb to Ants Basin I'm rewarded with a nice view down Warm Springs Creek. There is light on the limestone ridge with the familiar orange band I navigated toward the first day to the trip descending Strawberry Basin to Warm Springs Creek. I have not traveled the section of trail that unfolds below. It would be another way to do the loop, avoiding some to the problems encountered descending the lowest part of Strawberry Basin.
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DSCF1079.JPG3 viewsFrom Ants Basin, looking E above the Born Lakes (hidden in the trees) to the pinnacle immediately S of the Devil's Staricase. Skies have cleared.
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DSCF1083.JPG3 viewsClimbing out of Ants Basin, looking ENE across the upper reaches of the Warm Springs Creek drainage below the Born Lakes. The pinnacle marking the Devil's Staricase is prominent on the skyline.
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DSCF1084.JPG3 viewsWCP-8 (10557') above the Warm Springs Creek drainage. The constantly changing light and shadow drifting across the limestone face provide photo opps.
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DSCF1086.JPG3 viewsThe pinnacle immediately S of the Devil's Staricase from the top of the ridge SW of Ants Basin. (200 mm)
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DSCF1097.JPG3 viewsThis tarn is at an elevation of 9730', well above Fourth of July Lake. The water is a bit brackish, but will do in a pinch. I hear from more than one party ascending from the Fourth of July trail head that the road from Stanley to Grandjean was is still closed. I'm making good time, and will be able to make the most of the remaining light, getting to Ketchum just as it is getting dark. I reach the trail head at 7:30 pm, completing the "epic White Cloud backpack loop" for the fourth time.
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DSCF0899.JPG2 viewsBlackman Peak, 10,300', NE of the saddle to the NNW of Fourth of July Creek trail head. There is an obscure trail on the E side of the drainage which becomes more defined the higher one climbs. It took me an hour and fifteen minutes to get here.
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DSCF0913.JPG2 viewsThere was an intermittent stream in the drainage.
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DSCF0915.JPG2 viewsThe pyramid shaped WCP-6 (10777') on the horizon (center). The terrain gets steep in places before leveling out just before Warm Springs Creek.
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DSCF0922.JPG2 viewsI didn't even set up the tent. Temperature was very comfortable. Unlike last year, there was very little condensation, so it was easy to get going quickly in the morning.
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DSCF0929.JPG2 viewsNorth wall of Iron Basin E of Watson Peak. I've seen numerous Bighorn Sheep on this slope, but not this year or last. There were two mountain goats on this slope further E last year. The arch formation is cool.
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DSCF0933.JPG2 viewsApproaching the E end of Iron Basin. My objective, the saddle between D. O. Lee Peak and WCP-9 is just around the corner to the SE.
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