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| Backpack | 26.32 Miles |
5,529 AEG |
| | Backpack | 26.32 Miles | 3 Days | | |
| 5,529 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | After being snowed out at the end of June, as planned we returned to the Fourth of July trailhead for a little 3 day backpacking intro into the White Cloud Wilderness to finish out our little summer trip to the north. We did not do the full loop, but our backpack covered a portion of it and without creating additional pages, linking this description made the most sense.
Day 1:
We started to another chilly morning at the trailhead, my car said 39 degrees. We started hiking at 8 and it did not take long to see how much the conditions had changed since our last time here. I did not step in snow until after Washington Lake and even those were just lingering banks across the trail. The trail was a little meh after Washington Creek as you hike through a pretty significant burn zone for over two miles on your way to the pass above Chamberlain Basin. There were no trail obstructions, but the forest was gone and it felt a little warm at times for Dot. Luckily, there was a large snow bank lingering at the pass, so Dot was able to recoup there for a minute. From there, it’s a pretty quick downhill hike to the first lake, which is small, but pretty stunning. We took the first nice spot on the second large lake and set up camp after about 9 miles on the dot. We spent the rest of the day napping, taking small walks, swimming (Dot) and snacking.
Day 2:
We got an early ish start on the second day to complete some day hikes from camp. First, we hiked to the Mill Castle Divide, which proved to be a pleasant morning stroll with some big views from the divide. This range certainly has a unique quality to it skylines and upper elevations. From the pass, we cruised back towards camp and then hung a right at the turn off for the Upper Lakes in the Chamberlain Basin. We turned around at the first lake, which was pretty stunning in its setting and appearance. The lake was being fed by a thundering waterfall on its far end and had a nice backdrop of mountains behind it. The trail continued on around the lake, but we turned around at its outlet to keep the day low key for Dot. After spending some time at camp, I decided to relocate a little further up trail to shave a little distance off our hike out the next day and to camp near the meadow we walked through on our hike in. We got a nice little spot near the source of a trailside stream with a nice view of the large meadow one way and a view looking down into the Chamberlain Basin and far beyond the other way.
Day 3:
We returned the way we came on the last day, but with one quick detour. When we got to Fourth of July Lake, I hung my heavy pack and we headed towards the Born Lakes. However, some threatening clouds had us turning around at the pass above Antz Basin, which was no consolation prize and a worthy destination in itself. We cruised back down to Fourth of July Lake and then returned the way we had hiked in three days ago.
This is a pretty special wilderness and I can't wait to get back for more. With the dogs, I am not sure about ever completing the loop fully, as it requires a semi rugged off trail connecting route, but with adding additional days the Boulder Lake Chains and beyond could be reached in what would still be some pretty satisfying multi-day out and backs. |
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