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DSCF0761.JPG5 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.JPG5 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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DSCF0773.JPG5 viewsThe tarn, just below Windy Devil, the pass that leads to Boulder Chain Lakes Basin on the east. Straight ahead, the cross-country route leading to the "Devil's Staircase". Must the Devil have all the good passes?
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DSCF0784.JPG5 viewsThe more northerly chute is just right of center, about one quarter down from the top of the frame. The most tedious part of the descent was the lower one third. The talus is extremely unstable. That last section took longer than I recall-- it's already 5:30. Needless to say, I was happy to get off it.
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DSCF0785.JPG5 viewsThe highest of the Born Lakes. I would love to stop and fish. If I don't fish, I can get to the Fourth of July Creek trailhead around 8:30 pm. That leaves enough light to get down that 11 mile gravel road. I opt to keep moving.
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DSCF0787.JPG5 viewsA grassy meadow between the lakes. Since I'm carrying the camera on the shoulder strap, I don't hesitate to take the photo. If I had to take the pack off to get the camera out, I probably would have kept right on g is on the right (east).
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DSCF0788.JPG5 viewsBorn Lakes is a popular destination. There are numerous paths around the lakes. This welcome signpost confirms I am on the trail headed in the right direction. A right turn here would descend Warm Springs Creek, taking me to the where I was on day one after crossing the creek at the base of Strawberry Basin.
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DSCF0789.JPG5 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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DSCF0790.JPG5 viewsThe steep climb to the ridge above Ants Basin is in the shade by the time I reach it. In the center of the skyline is the pinnacle just south of Devil's Staircase. The trail to Born Lakes is on the right (south) of the photo.
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DSCF0791.JPG5 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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DSCF0793.JPG5 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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DSCF0795.JPG5 viewsI put the 35 mm prime lens back on for the hike to the trailhead. The light is fading, and this is the fastest (widest aperture) lens I have. There are still a few tarns with water high in Ants Basin. The color of the light is changing.
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