Idaho Exposure

Hiking, Climbing, Backpacking, Snowshoeing, Backcountry Skiing. Photos by Thomas Oetzell; idahoexposure.com

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DSCF0566.JPG3 viewsThe second crossing of Trail Creek. A nice place for a snack. This group caught up with me while fooling around with the camera, trying to figure out what setting I inadvertly changed on my camera, resulting in a dramatic red shift in the image. Hooray! I fixed it!
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DSCF0568.JPG3 viewsThe volume of water in Trail Creek suggests to me that the runnoff from snomelt peaked a few weeks earlier, lessening my anxiety about crossing the North Fork of Baron Creek.
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DSCF0569.JPG3 viewsI hiked this section once with a botanist who knew the names of every plant in Idaho. Now I wish I'd asked that person more questions.
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DSCF0570.JPG3 viewsWell past the signpost marking the turnoff for Trail Creek Lakes, the views open up to the southwest as the trail climbs north toward Stanley. Through the burned trees, one can see the Monte Verita ridge rising above Baron Creek, well to the south.
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DSCF0571.JPG3 viewsObservation Peak to the north, toward Stanley Lake
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DSCF0572.JPG3 viewsThe Monte Verita ridge extends northwest towards Grandjean and includes Tohobit and Grandjean Peaks. Hidden from view, to the southeast (left) on this same ridge is Warbonnet Peak. The ridge culminates at Monte Verita, a complex group of granite spires at over 10,000 feet, southwest of Baron Lake.
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DSCF0573.JPG3 viewsTohobit Peak, left, and Grandjean Peak, right, on the Monte Verita ridge. At 11:30 a.m., vertical development of cumulus over the ridge portends afternoon thundershowers.
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DSCF0574.JPG3 viewsThe first lingering snow on the trail at 8000 feet, approaching the turnoff for McGown Lakes to the east. I can remember approaching this junction from the north, roughly fifteen years ago, while a fire was burning in the area I'm hiking through now.
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DSCF0578.JPG3 viewsA plethora of wildflowers in the McGown Lakes basin.
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DSCF0577.JPG3 viewsThe first of the McGown Lakes appears to the north at 8250 feet. Note the development of the cumulus over the Stanley Valley.
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DSCF0579.JPG3 viewsAnother of the McGown Lakes north of the trail at 8470 feet. Several years back, someone abandoned several items in this area that proved too burdensome, including a holster for bear spray, a case for a fly rod, an 8 oz isobutane canister with 1/4 of the fuel remaining, two empty small nylon stuff sacks, and a can of Jenny Lake Lager! I would consider myself lucky to see a bear back here. This year, someone left a nice article of clothing on that last signpost. I was hoping my pack would get lighter!
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DSCF0580.JPG3 viewsThis stream marks the short climb to the highest of the McGown Lakes.
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