White Clouds, Idaho

20 miles of hiking • 8000' elevation gain • 5 nights

Bucket and I had been jonesing to get to the White Clouds or Sawtooths for a few years now. But one thing or another stepped in the way, backpacking trips to Canada, time on a friend's wonderful ranch in Montana, fires in Idaho... But eventually things came together. We had a solid block of time before getting to a wedding at said wonderful ranch at the end of the week.

In large part this was inspired by awildman -- much thanks should go out to her for her beta and reassurance to somewhat acrophobic Bucket that there would be nothing more involved than some 'challenging' hiking -- aka no cliffs, no mantle-worthy scramble moves, etc. Thank you for those reassurances!

Needless to say this turned into much more of a backpacking/lake-enjoying trip than a mileage jaunt intended to 'cover the most terrain and see as much as possible' -- a common heuristic trap I fall into when exploring new areas.

Day 1: Burgers and good Beer overlooking the Salmon River and the Sawtooths in Stanely, Id. Camped at the 4th of July TH as it was near-dusk and didn't seem to be much gained by doing a few miles when the total to the first night's camp was going to be around 8.

Day 2: 4th of July TH to Antz Basin and Boorn/Born (?) Lakes basin and then off trail to the 4 lakes basin. Scenic. And that is a huge understatement. Lots of big views, beautiful old trees that look like stained teak, flowers, and some ground squirrels. Off trail was easy enough, the high lakes just have such wonderful colors. Ended up at Quiet Lake... which was pretty quiet. Beautiful along the backside of Castle Mountain/Merriman Peak, serrate ridge. Fishing with no bites in the evening..

Day 3: Up, breakfast and beauty. A few casts and the 'one that got away' - Up and more 'off trail' (fairly well trodden) trail to two more lakes. Then more OT into Windy Devil Pass, great views, the Boulder Chain Lakes basin.. to Hummuck Lake. Great campsite, kind of had our pick. Swimming in the Lake. Dinner, stars.

Day 4: Decision to not do a loop, but instead enjoy what we'd already seen more or less. Explored the rest of Hummuck lake, caught a dark rainbow trout out of a little hole in a meadow, saw Hidden and Headwall Lake, hike up to Lonesome lake at 10,435. There NO fish here, believe me, I tried with great diligence. It is a deep, very clear, very cold lake, but no fish. Swam in the cold waters, watched some youths peak-bag and act the foo, walked around the lake, then decended and went back to Windy Devil Pass. Saw some Mountain Goats. Then went OT to camp at Shallow Lake - our favorite spot. Lots of keeper-sized cut-throat trout. Catch on every cast, spoon, fly, etc. beautiful water. Fantastic camp spot. Halcyon days..

Day 5: Short hike back to Quiet Lake. Get the 'ideal' campsite right next to the inlet stream. More fishing but just a single mediocre catch but evidence abound of larger fish and others who've caught more (worms, better technique?). Dancing sky with signs of instability - a few bits of rain but nothing much. Bucket gets half way into the lake which is progress for her lack of mountain lake swimming, compared to me, who goes in just about anything! More fishing, relaxing, enjoying the abounding beauty surrounding us.

Day 6: Hike to the Boorn/Born lakes--with Bucket doing some fishing in Cornice Lake. The sky is constantly threatening. Shortly thereafter we make it over the final bit of OT back to the Boorn/Born lakes under spitting skies and thunder with a tinge of lightning. Then the wild grey yonder opened up a bit more with the rain, and at 5 or so miles from the TH, along with a slight medical (non-threatening) ailment coming up for me, it was decided to just make it back to the car this day vs hiking out in the AM--after all we had a room booked in the beautiful, lovely, scenic town of Butte Mt. for the following night, no desire to be late for that (ok Butte has a lot of awesome aspects, truth be told).

Loved the peach granitic rock--so sharp, so tacky and grippy--could bop around the lake in tread-bare crocs and have plenty of traction!