Trip Report
Darton Pk 12,275'
Sunday July 25, 2010 9:30pm
No actual climbing here so sorry in advance...

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.
First, a Big Wyoming Welcome.
Credit: the museum
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Credit: the museum
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The Mirror Lake Drainage
The Mirror Lake Drainage
Credit: the museum
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Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake
Credit: the museum
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The Lost Twin Lakes Drainage
The Lost Twin Lakes Drainage
Credit: the museum
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Lost Twin Lakes Cirque from the campsite.
Lost Twin Lakes Cirque from the campsite.
Credit: the museum
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Summit day, Darton straight ahead.
Summit day, Darton straight ahead.
Credit: the museum
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Lost Twins view on the approach.
Lost Twins view on the approach.
Credit: the museum
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In the drainage east of the first lake.
In the drainage east of the first lake.
Credit: the museum
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On the tundra above the drainage.
On the tundra above the drainage.
Credit: the museum
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Felsenmeer
Felsenmeer
Credit: the museum
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the museum with Big Horn Peak in the background.
the museum with Big Horn Peak in the background.
Credit: the museum
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mrs. museum
mrs. museum
Credit: the museum
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Darton from Unnamed 12,095' - the route desribed goes up the right sid...
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.
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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  Trip Report Views: 4,119
the museum
About the Author
the museum is a trad climber from Rapid City.

Comments
Captain...or Skully

climber
Boise, ID
  Jul 25, 2010 - 09:26pm PT
Sweet!
You & the Mrs. sure get up into some beautiful places!
Thanks for sharing them with us.
nature

climber
Boulder, CO
  Jul 25, 2010 - 09:31pm PT
Impressive photos. Wow.


I just gotta get out more!


can we have a SushiFest there? ;-)
Dirka

Trad climber
Hustle City
  Jul 26, 2010 - 12:39am PT
Cool thanks for posting.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
  Jul 26, 2010 - 12:47am PT
Very cool! Man, I want to go back there!
Thanks!

This new TR in the forum method, kicks Ass!
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
  Jul 26, 2010 - 12:53am PT
Nice tr I need to get back to the Horns.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Jul 26, 2010 - 03:37am PT
Wow! What a flat out beautiful place.

Thanks!
the museum

Trad climber
Author's Reply  Jul 28, 2010 - 07:15pm PT
sushi fest? If you want to - we saw 5 people more than 1/2 mile from the trailhead in 3 days...

Probably not a big money maker!

the museum
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