Sawtooth Wilderness - Part A
This is a recount of my recent experience backpacking through the Sawtooth Wilderness near Stanley, Idaho. I did two trips between August 17th to the 23rd. The original plan was to do one longer extensive trip but as I loaded my pack with what I felt I needed plus the camera equipment I wanted I decided 2 shorter trips wiser and more achievable than 1 longer trip. Turns out this was a good decision. While my physical condition proved adequate, living at sea level and adjusting to the Sawtooth's elevation which ranges between 7,000 and 10,000 feet proved challenging - to say the least.
The first trip started at Pettit Lake and climbed the Alice and Twin Lakes drainage area. What looked like an easy climb in from the lake proved more difficult than anticipated.
Looking across Pettit Lake toward the objective of Alice Lake. Only 5 miles away and less than 2,000 feet higher it still provided a substantial challenge to my sea level acclimated respiratory system.
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The look back provided a more dramatic perspective. The climb definitely wore me out. I was glad to arrive at Alice Lake and find a pleasant campsite.
Settling in for the evening I captured several images of El Cap which borders Alice Lake.
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| El Cap reflecting in calm waters of Alice Lake. |
I like both versions of the photograph above, but I tend to favor the b&w version for its impact and drama.
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| Afterglow from the setting sun baths the mountain in soft light while illuminating the clear evening air with purples and magentas. |
I recorded a few images after the stars came out but moonlight from the waning moon did not allow for what I regard to be a decent photograph. My sleeping bag was warm and comfortable. So I laid back in my tent with the fly off and fell asleep watching the stars above and the moonlight casting shadows on the cliff faces across the lake. A day well spent. Hopes for an enjoyable tomorrow.
My alarm went off at 5:30 A.M. Sunrise was not for another hour but climbing out of my tent I found the sky already growing bright. Grabbing my gear and flicking on my headlamp I stumbled out of camp and back along the trail leading to a location I had identified the afternoon before. I arrived just in time as the first rays of light began to illuminate the peaks to the west.
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| Morning light striking the peaks to the west of Alice Lake reflect in the calm lake's water. |
I thought I had captured the perfect shot and began my return to camp when I came across this view.
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| Alice Lake at sunrise. |
I love this shot. Completely unplanned and unexpected. I walked past this location on the way in the day before. The previous shot is nice, but the peninsula projecting into the lake offers so much more content and depth to the photograph. This one will be hanging in my home.
Arriving back at camp I was about to prepare breakfast when I noticed the presence of the moon. That moon that had so disturbed my ability to capture a decent starlight shot the night before was displaying itself magically above the peaks to the west. Breakfast could wait.
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Moon over Alice Lake.
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Another totally unplanned and unexpected shot. I knew the moment I saw this composition I would process it in b&w. To gain the desired reflection I had to climb atop a set of boulders near the shoreline. I did so quietly so as to not disturb some campers nearby. The sky was already a deep blue allowing me to create a dark tone by turning down its luminosity during processing. I think this one might find a place to be hung in my home as well.
After breakfast I broke camp and began the climb toward Snowyside Pass. The climb up that morning did not affect me as much as the climb in the day before. Topping out at 9,500 feet I enjoyed the view back down the pass in both directions.
Passing late summer wildflowers on the climb up Snowyside Pass.
Twin Lakes as seen from Snowyside Pass.
View toward Toxaway Lake from Snowyside Pass. Toxaway Lake is out of view from this location. A lesser lake presents itself below the pass.
Arriving at Toxaway Lake I sought out a location the I thought might afford me a decent opportunity to capture a sunset, should conditions allow.
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| View across Toxaway Lake looking back toward Snowyside Pass. |
While waiting for the sun to set I entertained myself shooting a few images. As I've mentioned before, I'm a sucker for backlit foliage. I am especially drawn to the contrasts of light and dark provided when conifers are backlit.
Sometimes the look down can be uplifting. I liked the way this lake debris appeared and wondered how many years it takes for deposits such as this to fully degrade in the cold lake water.
The sunset I hoped for when selecting this campsite did not disappoint. I captured over 200 images of that sunset from several vantage points.
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| Sunset on Toxaway Lake. |
I realize for some the photograph below will not be appealing. However, while trying to capture the grandeur of that sunset I found myself both frustrated and disappointed. Processing the images captured did not alleviate the feeling of disappointment. How fortunate are artists like Thomas Moran to not be restricted to the pure reality of the moment and able to allow themselves the freedom of expression witnessing such a scene can inspire. I feel the following photograph better represents what I saw and felt alongside that lake in the fading light of what was a wonderful day.
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| Toxaway Lake Sunset |
The walk out the next day was for the most part uninspiring. A near 8 mile long trek I passed a few small waterfalls and meadows and one attractive small lake, but nothing that motivated me sufficiently to capture anything more than a few passing shots.
However, the following sunset taken along the Salmon River just downstream of Stanley, ID, seems a fitting last shot for this segment.
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| Sunset over Sawtooth Wilderness with Salmon River in foreground. |
The second part of my little adventure will follow.
