Jeff Lubeck

Sawtooths Moving Into October

The Sawtooths in the month of September are marvelous.

However, dramatically different weather can occur from one day to another.

For example, on this day, the 29th of September the weather is clear and dry. Also, the temperature at 4PM, is 73 degrees Fahrenheit. Differing from the warm afternoons, the mornings are getting cool. The morning low is 19 degrees Fahrenheit.

Late in the Day

Importantly, the Border Collies (Sage and Willow) alert me to the fact, it is getting to be late in the day. Also, I am reminded today’s hike or run remains to be completed. It should be noted, the girls completed runs on Fox Creek Loop on Wednesday and the Lubeck Goat Creek Out & Back on Thursday. In contrast (to) the previous two days, I suggest that an off-trail hike would balance things. Sage and Willow appear to agree.

Willow (left) and Sage (right) at the end of our run of the Fox Creek Loop in the Smoky Mountains north of Ketchum\Sun Valley, Idaho two days earlier.

The Trip

I decide the three of us would be well served to go somewhere close by, in an area that is known, but to spot we have never visited. The area is across the valley floor from our home, and it is called Nip & Tuck – which is part of an exceptional mountain bike ride. On this adventure, we head up an abandoned trail to a high point off-trail overlooking the Sawooth Valley.

The views from the saddle of Nip & Tip and the ridgelines nearby are superb. I expect the view at the high point to be superb.

The Northern Sawtooths at Dawn on Anderson Ranch near Nip & Tuck

In addition to this story, the image of The Northern Sawtooths is part of an interesting story about having to abandon your vehicle as part of a photo-shoot [located here].

Nip & Tuck Route from House (16.3 miles) and Today’s off trail route.

Last but not least, the view.

Nutcrackers and Woodpeckers on the Property

Clark’s Nutcrackers and Hairy Woodpeckers are making their presence known on the property.

The fall-time weather has moved some residents to seek warmer climes – even non migrators. However, some of the residents are sticking around.

The Stellar Jay has become even more prominent, as its bird count has moved from three to eight. In addition, the Hairy Woodpecker and Clark’s Nutcracker have also moved onto the property. Similarly to the Stellar Jay, the Clark’s Nutcracker appears to be at a population count of six.

Hairy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker checking out the area of the bird feeder.

Hairy Woodpecker feeding on insects and preening in a Lodgepole Pine.

Hairy Woodpecker looking for a bite to eat.

Closeup.

Clark’s Nutcracker

Regarding feeding habits, The family of Clark’s Nutcracker have become emboldened. This is especially the case during the late afternoon feeding time.

Clark’s Nutcracker surveying the scene around the feeders.

Next move is diving (bombing) down towards Ground Zero Grotto.

And finally, scooping up the bounty!

* Jeff’s Thoughts and Other Worthless Trivia *

These photographs were captured with the Nikon Z9 Camera and the Nikon Z 400MM | 540MM f2.8 Prime Lens. I captured the images with manually configured settings, hand-held. Furthermore, this may very well be the best lens in my kit. In addition, this is not a ZOOM lens. Instead, it is a Prime Lens with two focal points (400MM and 540MM) that are achieved by a toggle switch. Effectively, it provides two lens’ in one.

Aperture: f5 to f11

Speed: f/3200 to f/4000

ISO: 640 to 1250

Color Depth: 14Bit RAW

Color Temperature: 5000

Attempting to establish a light reading at 1 Stop Down

For further examples of the 400 at work another Post is located [here].

Surgical Strike into the White Clouds

Fall-time is magnificent in the White Clouds of Idaho. The period of time to travel in them unencumbered by inclement weather is short. Too short in my book.

So I seized a break in the afternoon and headed into the White Clouds Wilderness at Big Boulder Creek.

Big Boulder Creek with Cardiac Peak (11,202) in the background.

The trail starts near the junction of Big Boulder Creek and Jim Creek. It is at relatively flat spot in the middle of steep canyons – located above, below and at either side. It is also located at the remnants of the lower portion of the Livingston Mill. The Trail is named the Livingston Mill Castle Divide Trail.

Big Boulder Canyon is 1,400 feet deep (7,600 feet to 9,000 feet) one mile into the hike.

The trail has some elevation gain after the first 1/2 mile, but it is tree-covered and the trail-bed is very good.

Big Boulder Creek has many spots were it is gentle and meandering.

At the Wilderness Border.

Into the Cecil D. Andrus White Clouds Wilderness.

At 2.25 miles there is a junction in the trail. At the junction, the Big Boulder Creek Trail officially starts and heads west towards Walker Lake and D.O. Lee Peak. The Livingston Mill Castle Divide Trail continues south.

I have travelled both trails to their end spots. On this day I will hike a bit farther on the Big Boulder, such that I will get in a five-mile out and back with the Border Collies (Sage and Willow) and return home by dark.

*** Jeff’s Thoughts and Other Worthless Trivia ***

This region keeps calling me back. For more about the region a link is located [here] and [here].

U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson (2nd District Idaho) deserves a great deal of credit for making this Wilderness Region (as well as Boulders and Jerry Peak) happen. After multiple years of effort, his bill for Wilderness designation was approved in 2015. This region was renamed for Andrus in 2018.

Now, the guy I am about to name, will probably get mad at me, but here I go… The three Wilderness regions do not exist in their current form without Ed Cannady. no way, no how! Ed was the Recreation Ranger for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) for decades. Ed hates (I know this is a strong word, but I think it applies here) getting credit or recognition for most any thing – especially these magnificent places. However, Ed was the author of the plans and worked out all their smallest operational details so that we have exists today.

Ed Cannady is also a terrific landscape photographer.