July 17,2010. Darton Peak West Side via Mirror Lake Trail to Lost Twin Lakes Cirque. Named for Newton Horatio Darton, of the Darton Survey of 1900-02.
From Buffalo Wyoming drive west on US Highway 16 40 miles or so and turn west on the West Tensleep Road. This road is about 3 miles west of Meadowlark Lake.
Curve north, go right at a juction, pass the Tyrrell Ranger Station, then go 6 more miles to the road end at the trailhead and at 9000'. Take correct trail 3 miles to Mirror Lake then another 1.25 miles or so to some good camp spots. From here follow the trail to the first Lost Twin Lake. Leave the trail to the east when the lower lake comes into view. Hike east up a drainage that must have water running all year. There might be boot tracks in the drainage along the creek. There are definitely elk tracks - and bear poop. Once above on the tundra, you can see a high peak straight ahead. The peak is Unnamed 12,095' just north of Darton. Aim further right and find your way to a broad ridge. Follow the boulder field to the summit. Figure 14.5 miles in 3800' total with some uphill on the return. Fast movers could hike this in a day. From the backpack camp figure on five hours and only 6 miles. There was alot of snow this year and bad mosquitos. Otherwise a fine outing.
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 First, a Big Wyoming Welcome. Credit: the museum |
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 Credit: the museum |
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 The Mirror Lake Drainage Credit: the museum |
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 Mirror Lake Credit: the museum |
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 The Lost Twin Lakes Drainage Credit: the museum |
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 Lost Twin Lakes Cirque from the campsite. Credit: the museum |
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 Summit day, Darton straight ahead. Credit: the museum |
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 Lost Twins view on the approach. Credit: the museum |
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 In the drainage east of the first lake. Credit: the museum |
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 On the tundra above the drainage. Credit: the museum |
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 Felsenmeer Credit: the museum |
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 the museum with Big Horn Peak in the background. Credit: the museum |
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 mrs. museum Credit: the museum |
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 Darton from Unnamed 12,095' - the route desribed goes up the right side in the photo. Credit: the museum |
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 View North to Mather Peaks and Cloud Peak. Credit: the museum |
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This is the end of this report.
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 Credit: the museum |
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