Sawtooth Lake Loop

Date: July 13, 2024.

Partners: Solo.

Stats: 20 miles, 4,200ft gain in 7:30.

Links: Strava.  Idaho: A Climbing Guide.

The Sawtooths are just about perfect for a one day get away from my house.  I went into the Grandjean trailhead to do the Sawtooth Lake loop counter clockwise.  I've done it the other way and remembered it was was great.  So I figured I'd get some good time on feet and I could also investigate a few peaks, mainly Mount Regan from this direction.  

I knew the day was going to be warm, but it started nice and cool in the canyon of the South Fork of the Payette River.

There's a lot of daylight this time of year, so I didn't see a great need to hit it super early.

I did remember how horrendous going down the North Baron Trail was and figured had to suck more going up it.  My suspicion was confirmed.  Hot, brushy and very slow going.

It does mellow out and open up into some good runable trail up high.  I wanted to "look at" the Southeast Ridge on Regan but really didn't think I'd to too far invlolved.  My thought was I "could" check it out and turn around if/ when it got scetchy.  It sounds like the big earthquake in 2020 changed the route and that it now exceeds its previous 4th class rating.

It is very worth noting that this is the least efficient way to approach Regan and I knew that.  One would be much better off approaching from Iron Creek.  

By the time I was actually looking for the ridge, I was tired and really not in the mood for scetchy scrambling and/ or death talus.  Feeling the effects of the heat from the long tough push up North Baron Trail and taking into account that my main objective was to do the loop and being barely half way though it, I decided to just enjoy the view and keep jamming down the trail.

Mount Regan from the east.

From the trail, the route really didn't look bad, but there is reliable beta that says otherwise.  Good enough for me.

North Alpine Peak.

South end of Sawtooth Lake.

Mount Regan above Sawtooth Lake.

More Regan.

Sawtooth Lake is a very busy place on days like today.  

Above McGown Lakes.

The west side of Sawtooth Lake above McGown Lakes was very hot with no shade as expected.

Observation Peak.

Looking south.

The "fun part" was over and all that was left was a long, hot and steep descent to the car.  This was defeinetly a good workout and I really shouldn't have a need to do North Baron Trail ever again.

Born Lakes and Lonesome Peak

Date: June 20-22, 2024.

Objective: Lonesome Peak 11,302ft.  Idaho: A Climbing Guide.  Lists of John.  

Route: West Ridge, class 3.  Loose blocks near the summit!

Strava links and stats below.

Day 1: Hike to Born Lakes.  4.3 miles, 1,400ft gain in 3hrs.

It had been a while since I'd done a proper backpacking trip, so with a couple of days set aside for some mountain fun I headed into the White Clouds.  Having plenty of time would afford me a relaxed pace, an attempt on a summit and enought time to lose a fly or three.

Blackman Peak from Fourth of July Trailhead.

It looked like the area was mostly clear of snow, but there were a few large drifts left on the trail into Ants Basin.  The ridge heading to Blackman had snow but I was able to get to the other side without much difficulty.  The east side of the ridge had a few decent size snowfields that were already pretty soft from being in the sun.

Patterson Peak from the small untamed tarn on the trail.

Fourth of July Peak.

Lomesome Peak.

I knew there was a recent storm that had dropped maybe a couple inches of snow, but the first view of the West Ridge of Lonesome Peak did not get my hopes up.  

Ridge to Blackman Peak.

Ants Basin.

Born Lakes area.

There were a few large snowfields heading toward Born Lakes.  There was also the wet, marshy ground that comes with the snow melt.  I did my best to not go stomping though this fragile environment.  Traveling across the snow was basically unavoidable and I had a few real nice knee to thigh deep post holes.

Perhaps this is Strawberry Basin Point.

A good view of the South Ridge of D.O. Lee Peak.

Closing in on Born Lakes.

The trail system through here is very braided and not represented well on most maps.  I just headed for Lake 9,555.

View from the lower lake.

It had taken a bit longer than I anticipated to reach the lakes.  I had plenty of time to wander but I found a nice camp site at the lower lake that was too good to pass up.  I also wanted to get my shoes and socks off to dry them while it was still warm and sunny.

Camp site.

A lovely view from camp.

With plenty of day light remaining, I hit the lake to toss around some fly's.  There was zero action going on, but the scenery was amazing!  I studied the pictures I took of the nearby peaks on the way in and decided to try Lonesome Peak the next day.  The snow on the ridge looked like it might hinder access to the summit, but all you can do is try.


Day 2: Lonesome Peak.  Looks like the GPS went wonky, but approx 5 miles with 1,900ft gain in 5.5hrs round trip

Signage.

I forgot to set an alarm and somehow I way overslept, so it was after 09:30 by the time I set off.  I wanted to get a head start on the heat of the day, but oh well.  

West Ridge on the left.

It was a pretty easy and shaded walk to reach the base of the West Ridge, so that was nice.  

Looking up.

I stuck to lookers right near the edge of the trees and headed for point 10,690.  It was a steep but manageable grind.

Looking toward Blackman Peak.

Looking down.

Looking south with Castle Peak just coming into view.

Looking up.

Very near point 10,690.

Mount Andrus.

Ridge to the summit.

Once I got up to point 10,690 I had a good view of the route.  It looked mostly okay, but the snow made me moderately leery.  

Philosophy time: Don't just turn around.  Keep going and let something turn you around.

About half way up the ridge.

The West ridge proper was an easy walk.  It wasn't until it pitches up to the summit that it got interesting.  

Summit.

Snow on the ridge.

There actually ended up only being one small snowfield that I was forced to cross to reach the summit.  After that, it was a moderately angled scramble on loose blocks to the top.

Summit block.

Playing Jenga on a mountain is nerve wracking.  With some careful route finding and ninja like relexes I was able to reach the summit.  Wow, what a view!

Looking north at D.O. Lee, ect.

Castle Peak,

Summit register.

looking down the West Ridge.

After doing some quick summit things, I started down.  Slow and steady across all those loose blocks.  I was relieved to get out of that mostly unscathed.  Walking down the ridge was pleasant and I was thinking I might explore a little.  I had heard of people coming up the South West Face gullies and figured I'd shoot down one.  Investigating from the top, some looked like they defeinetly cliffed out.  I kept moving down the ridge and eventually found an area that looked good.  It was pretty sandy and loose scree.

Looking down.

What I ended up in was a scree funnle of not fun-ness.  Long story short, I regret that decision and if I had to do it again, I'd just go back down the ridge.

Looking back at the gullies of not fun-ness.

The day was fairly warm now and I was glad to get back into the trees and enjoyed the shaded walk back to camp.  After from rest, I headed lakeside for some fishing.  After an hour or so of nothing, I started to notice some fish coming around.  There was a jump or two in the vacinity, but they were not interested in anything I was going.  Zero bites and zero fish, but it wasn't for the lack of trying!

Day 3: Hike out.  4.3 miles with 700ft gain 2.5 hours.

I made sure to set an alarm and got an early start for the hike out.  I told myself that if the fish are jumping, I'm going to fish for a bit.  By the time I was packed up and ready to start walking, the lake was as smooth as glass.  It was definitely warmer overnight and the snow didn't set up real well, so I had more than a few knee deep post holes.  I went ahead and kicked a few extra steps where it was necessary to help out any incoming hikers.

Looking across Ants Basin towards Blackman Peak.

All things considered, I feel like I hit this just about right.  Warm days, cool nights, very few bugs and only a few people.  In a month the snow will be gone and the bugs will be out, but the fishing will probably be way better!

Bull Trout Point

Date: May 31, 2024.

Objective: Bull Trout Point.  Idaho: A Climbing Guide.  

Strava.

Stats: 6 miles and 1,300ft gain round trip in 6hrs 30min.  Class 2.

Post ultra is always a fun time.  I was stoked to get out but didn't want to over extend myself.  Bull Trout Point is super chill and has great views.  From where I parked, I followed the trail to a point where gaining Mains Ridge was obvious.  

Following the ridge is easy enough.  I had brought snow shoes and ended up carrying them 99.2% of the time.

I stuck to the south side of the ridge.  The views were magnificent for such a relatively small peak.

There was one very small rock tower to get over en route to the summit.

I was pretty sure I could see the Lost River Range; possibly Borah Peak.  Castle Peak was unmistakeable. The Sawtooth Range was just across the valley and very impressive.

I reversed my route up without incident.