White Cloud Peaks, ID, Report(s) By Gojo

“The Reunion:
I arrived at the workcenter at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 14th. The Friendly Ranger met me in the parking area. It was our first encounter in a year. It was a happy moment. I was thrilled to see her, and she was glad to see both me and Sarabelle.

We quickly began darting from building to building collecting maps, tools, gloves (being issued a pair of work gloves made it official - I was a Forest Service Volunteer!), and finally, stove fuel. TFR was expecting another ranger - who would be joining us on our trip - to show up at any time, and she wanted to be ready.

After a short safety meeting (bears) that was attended by several people, the other ranger showed, and we piled into the trucks for the 10 mile drive to the trailhead.

The Objective:
Our objective was to improve a multiple-use (read: mountain bike) trail. We brought along two Pulaskis, a heavy-duty handsaw, and a shovel. We expected to complete the work by the following afternoon.

The Trip - First Day:
We arrived at the trailhead around 10:00, and were on the trail toward Fourth of July Lake within a few minutes. Just before reaching the lake, we turned left onto a trail that would take us over a pass into Antz Basin. From the pass, we could see the entire basin, including Borne Lakes. It was a spectacular view! After descending the opposite side of the pass via a series of switchbacks, we proceeded cross-country across several meadows until we reached the perfect group of trees. That's where we made camp. After making camp, we gathered our tools and near-empty packs and headed back toward to trail at the bottom of the pass. From there, we plotted a course in which the bikers (and hikers) should follow while crossing the meadows. We built cairns, chopped blazes, and grubbed-out stretches of trail. There were several stretches of well-defined trail that needed work such as water bars cut or improved, and deadfalls removed. We completed about two miles of trail, then called it a day. At camp, we enjoyed conversation, food, and the incredible surroundings. The White Clouds are some really beautiful mountains.

The Second Day:
After breakfast, we gathered our tools and slack-packs, and headed in the direction from which we had come the evening before. After reaching the point where we had stopped the previous day, we resumed the now familiar (to me) activities of chopping, sawing, digging, and grubbing. By mid-day, we reached the trail's terminus at Warm Spring Creek Trail. Our work was completed. We had worked about 4 miles of trail.

We turned north (upstream) on WSC Trail - in the direction of Borne Lakes. Within a few miles, we reached the lakes. They are typically gorgeous lakes. The peaks that encompass the basin make for beautiful backdrops from anywhere within the basin, but especially so behind the lakes.

The trail looped around the lakes, then turned southward toward the pass. We followed the trail for a mile or so, then cut cross country toward the camp. The sky had been threatening all day, and alas we began to hear thunder. We decided to stay in camp until the storm passed - we didn't want to be caught at or near the pass in the event of an electrical storm. It never rained - in fact, the skies cleared to the point that we felt it would be safe to pack out... which we did. We reached the trailhead within a few hours (where we parted ways with the other ranger [TOR]), and were having beers in TFR's kitchen by 5:30 p.m.

BTW, when we got back to the workcenter, TFR exclaimed "My boyfriend's here!"
Pfffft... whatever.

Actually, he's a great guy... DAMN LUCKY!, but nice.

I treated at a pizza joint in Stanley. It was only the second time that I had been in TFR's presence outside the backcountry. She is a different person when she's not in FS green (actually, she WAS in FS green, but you know what I mean). Her beau really is a nice guy. We all had a pleasant time. We laughed alot. We parted ways from there. TFR went home, Beau went to wherever it is he goes, and Belle and I returned to the "base camp" that my bro, et al, had made the previous Thursday. We slept there that night, and returned to the workcenter at 8:00 the next morning.

The Third Day:
TFR, Belle, and I departed the workcenter, and drove toward the same trailhead which we had used on the previous trip. Instead of driving the entire distance up Fourth of July Creek Rd., we stopped at a "trailhead" a couple of miles short of the road's terminus. This is a trailhead that is marked by a heart-shaped carving on a tree. This is the "trail" to Heart Lake. I use quotations because the FS does not maintain any of the trails that we would travel on this day trip.

The trail to Heart Lake is an easy trek along (Heart?) Creek. The lake is only a couple of miles in. It is a typically beautiful location. As was the case in Antz Basin, the wild flowers were in full bloom, and offered an array of multiple colors in all directions.

I was surprised at how pristene the area was - especially the campsites, and especially especially a campsite often used by scout troops. I suppose it all boils down to people-pressure. I saw only six people during the two days we spent in Antz, and none during the 12 mile loop we did on the third day.

From Heart Lake, we continued upstream into Six Lakes Basin - stunning, naturally. From SLB, we crossed a pass (tough ascent! even with only my large fanny pack) into another basin. I do not have my map, and cannot remember the name of this last basin. Suffice it to say that this basin, too, was beautiful. We followed the stream from there down to where we connected with Fourth of July Creek Trail, and followed the trail to the trailhead. From there, we walked the road back to my truck.

We drove back to the workcenter. After a surprisingly painless goodbye, TFR went inside, and Belle and I loaded into the truck, and headed for Nevada.

Forget the specific details. If you're anywhere near The White Cloud Peaks, I would highly recommend that you do a hike there. ANYWHERE there - the place is beautiful. There are a myriad of trails that can accomodate any hike from an afternoon dayhike to a ten day trek.

Getting There:
The White Cloud Peaks are on the eastern side of the Sawtooth Valley National Recreation Area.
Fourth of July Creek Road is off the east side of Idaho Hwy 75, about 15 miles south of Stanley. The Fourth of July Lake trailhead is ten miles from the hwy, at the road's terminus.

More Info:
Contact the SVNRA, Ketchum, Idaho.

Their hdqtrs are located on Hwy 75, about 10 miles north of Ketchum. There are a couple of visitors centers, including one along Hwy 75 about five miles south of Stanley.”

“Ther is a story bout these mountins in Pakpaker Book this time. It is at the Weekend Wildness page.

Kno what? They sayed "Ther is a Julie Forth trail" and nother things. That is wher me and my daddy and the happy nice Ranger was! We was at the Julie Forth woods! That is the good place to go walkin in the woods and sleepin in the woods.”

“Thanks for the great trip description. I have never been in the White Clouds, and hope to get up there this fall. I'll have to look at these place names in the Idaho atlas and topos. Do you work for the FS or something?

What Idaho lake would you recommend for a weekend hike for a backpacking class of college students from Boise? Do you think the WCs are too far of a drive?”

“Uh, Bob. You are asking advice of a dog.”

“Yeah, but this particular dog is smarter than most folks I know!”

“uh, bob and fly. you guys think that a dog can type.”

“This dog can not only type, but can get on the internet!”

“Haiku: Revolving door

The door, revolving,
First Flo, then Belle, then Jolene,
Yet Alice remained.”

“IB -
No, I don't work for the FS. I met The Friendly Ranger while car camping in Atlanta, ID, in 1999. I've visited her each summer since. She had arranged for me to come along as a volunteer this year.

In SNRA, there are COUNTLESS weekend trips that include lakes. I have done hikes in both the Clouds and Tooths. In addition to this trip, I've also done the Alice Lake/Toxaway Lake loop (18 miles) in the Sawtooth Wilderness. It is stunning scenery! That loop is on the eastern edge of the wilderness, tho. You would be better off doing something on the western side - since you'll be coming from Boise. I do not have my maps with me, but I know that there is a popular (and easily accessable) trailhead before you reach Stanley, coming from Boise. Look at your maps - it should be easy to find. Tho I haven't been to that particular trailhead, I'm sure that it would be a "can't lose" hike. The Sawtooths are beautiful...

Good luck this fall, and give us a report.”

“Quite a Summer, eh Gojo?”

“Yeah. Quite a summer.”

“I usually take the class to somewhere other than the 'tooths, because its a large group, and I try to go to an area that is seldom visited so we can have a lake to ourselves, and not bother anyone. You may be thinking of Sawtooth Lake as an accessable lake from Boise, and it is beautiful but popular. We have gone to the Cape Horn area, the Pioneer Range, but never the White Clouds, nor the 'tooths with this class.

Where do you live when you're not visiting Idaho?”

“Georgia.”

“Oh yeah.
The place I was refering to is called Grand Jean - it might be one word. I think that there is a FS office there. It may actually be a town. It's on the WNW border if the wilderness. There is a trailhead there.

I stayed at my bro, et al's, basecamp a few nights this summer. It was at Stanley Lake. I did a dayhike from there, too. I did a report.”

“Finally...
Pictures”

“cool.”

“Gojo what were you leaning on in that one picture?



HERE'S JOHNNY!!!”

“Nice Gojo. The backpackin buds and I were thinkin of goin there next July for a change of scenery.

Have you ever heard of "The Kettles"? It looks pretty cool.”

“pete - that's a Pulaski.

Griz - go for it! The White Clouds are vast and uncrowded.”