Another Tuesday brings us to Storm Peak.
- July 17, 2018
- Team: Dave
- Peaks
- Storm Peak, 9100'
- Storm Dome, 8758'
- 14.1 miles, 7:43 hours, 4133' gain car-to-car
Note: click images to see a larger version in a new window
NOAA said high 80s, so we rolled out from Dave's a little after 6am. We unloaded at the 20-Mile trailhead and rode the first 2.5 miles on our mountain bikes. It's a fun and sometimes challenging ride, but regardless is way faster than walking. So after hiding and locking the bikes, here we are at the intersection, ready to start the climb up to the 20 Miles Lakes. |
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It was blessedly cool, especially since the sun was not yet up. But here it comes, right behind Storm Peak. |
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When we got to the top of "the headwall" the sun was in full glory. So were the skeets. The bump just left of center is Storm Peak. The bump just right of center is Storm Dome. Not too impressive from this angle. |
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Hard work, this. Grinding up the 1400' gain between the lakes and the peak. But really pretty good walking, considering it's all off trail. There's Storm Dome peeking above the ridge. NOW it's looking impressive. Lots of staring going on here. |
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When we finally got to the ridgetop, we got views north. The slightly-lower dark ridgeline is Victor Peak. Loon Lake is just on the other side of that. |
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And there's our summit. |
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More views of Storm Dome. But the pano below shows there is lots more to look at than just the dome. |
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Summit shot. It was a little after 10am. We took a nice long break on top. Too bad the weather wasn't better. We played Name That Peak, took photos, ate. And just hung out marveling at it all. |
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Then it was time to get brave and go after Storm Dome. But first, a picture of some phlox for my wife. |
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As we traversed across the ridge, we took advantage of several windows to take even more stunning photos. That's Storm Lake. |
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This is Peak 8808. |
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| We attempted to keep the big-block scrambling to a minimum in deference to Ruby's fear of falling into a gaping hole. She actually did really well, and we were soon sitting on the summit of Storm Dome. Or adjacent, anyway. |  |
Looking down into the lake basin, and then down into the North Fork of the Payette. |
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We found a great path down with minimal big-block fuss, and soon Ruby was swimming in the lake. |
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Then came a hot descent to the bikes, and a short roll back to the truck. |
 Dave Beck photo |
Map I hadn't been up here for some time, and came away with a fresh appreciation for the beauty of this section of the range. Thanks for a great day, Dave!
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