Bighorn Mountains – Page 5 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Darton Peak, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-12-20)

Days 3 & 4 of Lupe’s 2nd summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming & Utah!

7-12-20, 7:40 AM, 57ºF, 0.67 mile NE of Lost Twin Lakes at 11,100 feet – With the sleeping bags and other unnecessary items safely stashed in the tiny house, SPHP was finally ready. The Carolina Dog had slept like a rock last night, and was eager to get the day’s adventures underway.

The lighter pack put a little more spring in SPHP’s step as Lupe headed ESE up a broad slope, a region of grass, wildflowers, and rock bordered on both flanks by talus ridges. The ridge on the L was higher, and led up to an unidentified peak along the spine of the Bighorn Range.

The American Dingo was on her way to a saddle at the upper end of the slope. What she saw on the far side once she got there would put an end to any remaining uncertainty over her precise location. Progress was rapid, but for a while, Lupe didn’t seem to be getting any closer to the saddle. More territory kept appearing ahead.

Heading for the saddle (R). Photo looks E.

By the time Loop actually did reach the saddle, she was nearly a mile from the tiny house. The talus ridges on both sides were now hundreds of feet higher. In the saddle, a snowbank clung to the edge of a precipice at the extreme upper end of a long, deep gorge to the ESE. Miles away, and thousands of feet lower, a number of small lakes glistened in the morning sun.

SPHP consulted the topo map. The lack of any big lakes much closer to the saddle was a dead giveaway. This had to be the Oliver Creek canyon.

The big talus ridge N of the saddle. Photo looks NNE.

The **Oliver Creek canyon**. Photo looks ESE.

If Lupe was seeing Oliver Creek Canyon from here, that meant the ridge to the N was part of Peak 12080. The ridge to the S had to be her actual objective, Darton Peak (12,275 ft.).

This saddle was at a little over 11,600 feet. What could be seen of Darton Peak looked only 300 feet higher, not the roughly 650 feet it ought to have been. Either appearances were deceiving, or there must be a lot more to it.

**Darton Peak** from the saddle. Photo looks S.

The N face of Darton Peak appeared climbable, but quite steep and all talus. SW of the saddle, Lupe could see a big ramp with a fair amount of green on it that went much more gradually up toward a less steep NW ridge. This ramp reached the ridgeline between an all talus portion trending toward the summit, and a couple of large snowbanks farther NW. Definitely a longer route, but perhaps a better approach than going straight up the N face?

Looper gave the ramp a shot.

Heading up the big ramp (Center). Photo looks SW.

Even the ramp proved to be mighty rocky. After getting past the initial bit of vegetation, Lupe found herself scrambling among great boulders still trying to get to the apparent ridgeline. Working her way around to the W side of the mountain, she never did come to a distinct NW ridge, or an easy W slope. Occasionally the Carolina Dog encountered a bit of greenery, but no significant areas of genuinely better terrain. Disappointing!

Gradually turning SE, then E, Lupe mounted a direct assault on the W slope. The American Dingo did her usual fantastic job of scrambling, but huge talus made progress dreadfully slow. SPHP became concerned about the deep holes among the rocks. Any fall resulting in a broken bone would be terribly serious. The required leaps were so large that Loop did have difficulty with some of them. Once she lost her grip, but fell only a few feet. Unharmed. Whew!

Carefully, carefully! Didn’t matter how long this took. Meanwhile, views were improving. Off to the N, Lupe could see Mather Peaks (12,400 ft.), Bomber Mountain (12,850 ft.), and mighty Cloud Peak (13,167 ft.).

**Mather Peaks** (L), **Cloud Peak** (Center), and **Bomber Mountain** (R). Photo looks NNW.

Scrambling the W face. **Peak 12080** (L) visible beyond Loop. Photo looks NNE.

The rocks kept getting bigger. Many as big as cars, some as big as buses. Cavernous holes between them. SPHP started having to boost Loopster higher in spots, but for the most part, the wily American Dingo had an uncanny knack at finding ways up, leaping from rock to rock through a complex maze of impassable points.

Darton Peak slowly narrowed. Surely, Loop was getting close to the top? She climbed and climbed, but more rocks kept appearing distressingly higher.

At last, it was clear that the Carolina Dog was just 20 or 30 feet below the summit. However, the talus was huge. Neither Loop nor SPHP could find a way up from the W. Slowly working around to the S, a couple of spots might have worked, but they were chancy. SPHP didn’t like the looks of them.

Lupe kept circling until the E face came into view. A solid wall of rock. No way up it. For a couple of minutes, SPHP studied the situation. If the wall had been only a little shorter, Loop would have been able to get up there. As it was, simply no dice. Not gonna work.

Better go back. SPHP took another look at the possibilities from the S. They hadn’t gotten any better. Not going to risk it. A second search was conducted along the W face. Finally, a bit toward the N, an answer to the puzzle. A spot where it was possible to get another 10 feet higher.

That was the break Lupe needed. The rest was, well, not easy, but much less difficult.

Darton Peak (12,275 ft.) had a two tier summit region. Lupe came up from the W, reaching the slightly lower NW area first. Nothing but rock up here, but the boulders weren’t as massive as what she’d just come through. The true summit was a big light-colored boulder just S of this lower tier.

In the slightly lower NW portion of **Darton Peak’s summit region**. The **true summit boulder** is right behind Looper. Photo looks S.

Both the upper and lower tiers were roughly 20 feet in diameter. The upper tier had the largest boulders. The true summit boulder sat NW of 2 other huge rocks which weren’t much lower.

**Upper tier of the summit region**. The two highest boulders toward the S end are seen beyond Lupe. Photo looks SSE.

A gusty 15 to 25 mph W wind that had come up during the ascent was an annoyance. Lupe especially didn’t care for it when SPHP boosted her up onto the true summit boulder. The top of the boulder was somewhat narrow, which didn’t help make her feel any more secure. However, she did stay up there for several minutes, long enough for a few photos.

*Standing or sitting, that’s all I’m giving you, SPHP! Hurry it up!*

The views from Darton Peak were tremendous! Loopster could see all along the spine of the Bighorn Range from Cloud Peak and Bomber Mountain to the N, all the way down to Loaf Mountain (11,722 ft.), and even Hazelton Pyramid (10,534 ft.) to the S. Bighorn Peak (12,324 ft.) was only 1.5 miles due S.

**Bighorn Peak** (Center) from Darton Peak. Photo looks S.

**Bighorn Peak** (L) with **Hazelton Pyramid** (far L) in the distance. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.

**Loaf Mountain** (L), **Hazelton Peak** (Center), and **Bighorn Peak** (R). Photo looks S.

Lost Twin Lakes Peak (12,015 ft.) was visible off to the SW. Earlier in the day, SPHP had harbored hopes that Lupe might be able to venture over there today after visiting Darton Peak. Hah! Delusional! Although Darton Peak wasn’t all that far from where the tiny house was situated, it had taken hours to get up here. Clearly it would take hours more just to get down.

Getting to Lost Twin Lakes Peak would then be nearly a two mile march, which didn’t sound like much, but Lupe could see practically the entire route from here. An awful lot of talus to deal with, plus some pretty good elevation variations. Nope, sadly not happening, but it was fun to have such a good view of what would have been involved.

**Lost Twin Lakes Peak** (Center) from Darton Peak. Photo looks SW.

View of the route from **Darton Peak** around to the L over to **Lost Twin Lakes Peak** (Center). Photo looks SW.

Portions of the Lost Twin Lakes could be seen as well, although only a sliver of the upper lake was visible.

Looking down on the **Lost Twin Lakes**. **Lost Twin Lakes Peak** (L). Photo looks WSW.

No other high peaks existed off to the E. Instead, Lupe could see many small lakes and a vast lower portion of the Bighorns, most of it forested. Beyond the foothills, the high plains of NE Wyoming extended to the far horizon.

Looking E over the **Oliver Creek canyon**. **Willow Lake** is the largest one seen on the R.

Some of the **Chill Lakes** and **Firehole Lakes** are visible on the R. SPHP thought the oddly shaped boulder in the foreground was rather strange. Photo looks ESE.

Already 1:10 PM. The ascent had been more challenging and taken way longer than anticipated. After a good look around from the upper tier of the summit region, a decent rest break was in order. Darton Peak was nothing but boulders. Not a single soft spot or patch of dirt where Lupe could relax. She retreated to the slightly lower NW tier where the rocks weren’t quite as large.

SPHP shook the Carolina Dog’s paw, congratulating Loop on her Darton Peak success, then sat down so she could at least curl up on SPHP’s lap. The gusty W wind was relentless, making it somewhat difficult to truly appreciate the spectacular views from this seldom visited spine of the Bighorns peak.

Even so, Lupe and SPHP hung out on Darton Peak for an hour, sometimes getting up to hop among the boulders in order to revisit certain vantage points. Clouds sailed swiftly by, their shadows passing briefly over the mountain. Time was spent reminiscing about the American Dingo’s other adventures along the spine of the Bighorns.

In years now lost to history, Loop had been to quite a few of these high peaks. It was fun to see them all again from yet another lofty, lonely, wind-swept summit. Less than a year ago, she’d had her first good look at Darton Peak from Bighorn Peak, and now, amazingly, here she was!

**Darton Peak** (R) from Bighorn Peak on 7-23-19. Photo looks NNW.

**Darton Peak** (L) on 7-23-19. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

Before departing, Loopster returned to the upper tier for a final look around, but this time SPHP did not help her up onto that super breezy summit boulder again, since she wouldn’t have enjoyed it.

A last look at **Bighorn Peak** (L). Photo looks S.

Well, it was time. Heading back to the lower tier, Lupe started the long, tricky scramble down Darton Peak’s W slope. She’d barely gotten started when SPHP paused.

What’s the holdup, SPHP? Keep going!

I’d love to, Looper, but keep going where? Do you remember how we got up here, cause I’m not seeing it.

Oh, don’t worry about that! Any route you want to take is fine with me.

That’s the problem. I not only don’t see where we came up, I don’t see any way down at all. None. Zippo.

Oh, please! We got up here, so there has to be one. It’s right around here somewhere. I’ll help you look.

Wandering carefully, slowly, in the stiff breeze among massive boulders, the search began. Nothing. No safe way down, only drops so large they meant a fall. Giving up on the W slope, Lupe and SPHP circled around to the S. Yuck! Even worse. Nada.

Well, this is a bit of a pickle, isn’t it? We don’t have any rope, and even if we did, you’d never get down it, Loop.

Let’s work our way back over to the W slope, SPHP. We know we came up somewhere over there. If we have to look at every rock on this mountain, we’re going to find the right one. C’mon!

That sort of did have to be the plan. After more fruitless searching along the W slope, carefully examining every rock, crack, and gap multiple times, something clicked.

This is it, Loop! I finally recognize it. We came up this way.

You sure, SPHP? You’ve looked at these same rocks umpteen times and saw nothing.

Yep, yep! I remember this now. It just has a different appearance looking down on it, than it did on the way up.

Among the boulders, still high on the W slope. Photo looks NNE.

Lupe was on her way again. Sure wasn’t the end of looking for viable routes down Darton Peak’s W slope, but the snail-like process never ground to a complete halt again for long. Nearly 3 hours after leaving the summit, Looper emerged from the worst of the boulders, reaching better terrain with smaller rocks and some vegetation.

Through the worst of it. Photo looks WNW.

Even then, it took a long time to get past all the smaller talus over to the N side of the ridge overlooking the broad slope Lupe had taken up to the saddle early this morning. Traversing some of the big snowbanks she had seen back then as a useful shortcut, Loop finally got down to the much grassier region below.

What a day! Darton Peak (12,275 ft.) couldn’t have been any more than 1.5 miles as the crow flies from the tiny house the American Dingo had started out from. No more than 1,200 feet of elevation gain, either, yet the whole experience after leaving the saddle overlooking the Oliver Creek gorge had been sort of an ordeal.

Apparently, SPHP wasn’t the only one that felt that way. Back at the tiny house, Lupe rested outside among the wildflowers, enjoying another lovely spine of the Bighorns evening at 11,100 feet. However, she didn’t seem to have the energy to eat much Taste of the Wild for dinner. Long before sunset, she retired to the tiny house, crashing and burning on her soft sleeping bag.

7-13-20, 7:01 AM – Once again, the American Dingo had barely stirred during the night. However, she was up now, looking wistfully toward Mather Peaks (12,400 ft.) while SPHP packed up the tiny house.

Earlier, SPHP had been pondering whether or not heading over to Mather Peaks might be the thing to do, but clouds over that way sort of ruled it out. Looked like a front might be moving in out of the NW.

Still, as the Carolina Dog continued to stare in that same direction, SPHP began to reconsider all options. In the end, SPHP simply wasn’t up for it. Mather Peaks was easily 3 times as far away as Darton Peak had been. While it didn’t look like a hard trek from here, much of the route was every bit as rocky. Might actually take a very long time to get there.

Darton Peak had been a success. Best let it go at that. Besides, that left the possibility that some fine day, Lupe would return.

**Mather Peaks** (Center) on the morning after Darton Peak. Photo looks NNW.

In the end, Lupe roamed at will among rocks and wildflowers, searching for the marmots always whistling in the distance on the way back down to the Lost Twin Lakes.

By 12:30 PM, Lupe was back at the G6, still parked along the dusty road S of the West Tensleep trailhead.

The Carolina Dog’s Lost Twin Lakes and Darton Peak adventures were over. Rest and recovery time. Lupe enjoyed Alpo and chicken jerky treats for lunch, while SPHP drove. Sadly, the old Deer Haven lodge looked defunct, but SPHP did get a juicy cheeseburger and a 7UP at Meadowlark Lake lodge.

Energy returned during a relaxing afternoon at the Lake Point picnic ground. In the evening, Looper took the familiar short trail up to High Park Lookout (9,477 ft.). A front had indeed moved in during the day. No precipitation yet, but silvery clouds hung over the spine of the Bighorn Range.

Spine of the Bighorns from High Park Lookout. Photo looks NE.

Hard to tell exactly what was what way up there from down here, but it was possible to roughly identify the general region where two beautiful lakes lay hidden in a spectacular cirque nearly 2,000 feet below a light-colored boulder atop lonely, wind-swept Darton Peak.

**Darton Peak**, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 7-12-20

Links:

Next Adventure Prior Adventure

Darton Peak, Part 1:

To the Lost Twin Lakes & Beyond, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-11-20)

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To the Lost Twin Lakes & Beyond, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-11-20)

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 2nd summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming & Utah!

7-10-20, 4:15 PM, 82ºF, I-90 just E of the Black Hills of South Dakota – Lupe’s 2nd Dingo Vacation of the summer of 2020 was 13 minutes old. Trouble already!

Maybe we better turn around, SPHP!

Looking that way, Loopster. We’ll get off at the next exit. Can’t be more than another mile or two.

Too late! A few huge raindrops splatted against the windshield. Sort of mushy like sleet. Moments later, I-90 all but disappeared. Cloudburst! The G6 was getting smacked around by wind, hail, and torrential rain. Wipers maxed out, and with the hazard lights on, (for all the good they would do), SPHP slowed the G6 to a crawl.

Upon reaching the exit, SPHP spied a huge Quonset hut. The entrance was wide open. It was full of stuff, but there was room enough to sneak the G6 inside. Hail made a tremendous racket as the metal building got pounded. The Quonset hut leaked a bit, but that was minor. SPHP got out of the G6 to watch the storm, leaving the door open for Lupe, but the Carolina Dog had no intention of abandoning the safe, dry comfort of her stack of pillows and blankets.

Outside the ground would have turned white, but it was raining so hard that everything became a flowing lake, dancing water sweeping the hail along in a muddy current.

Finding this Quonset hut was a lucky stroke, SPHP! Good job!

Thanks, Loop! All luck, though, as you say.

What now? Are we going to return home?

Maybe. Sort of a late start to be heading for the Bighorns, anyway, but I can’t imagine this torrent lasting much longer.

It didn’t. 20 minutes, and the G6 was back on I-90, the last raindrops sprinkling harmlessly as blue sky reappeared. 60ºF! A 22 degree drop, but by the time Loopster crossed the Wyoming border, the pavement was dry and the sun was warming things up again. Beautiful evening cruise ahead!

7-10-20, dusk, Bighorn Mountains a mile S of Powder River Pass – Friday night. Munkres Pass, a favorite spot, was occupied. This would have to do. SPHP stashed the G6 along USFS Road No. 29. Lupe hopped out, sniffing excitedly along the edge of the black forest, thrilled to be back in the Bighorns. Good things were going to happen!

Yes, but not tonight. Too late for that. In the morning, though. Better get a few winks. (10:19 PM, 50ºF)

7-11-20, 8:17 AM, 41ºF, West Tensleep trailhead – Ugh! The backpack was a beast, at least by SPHP’s wimpy standards. Finally ready. Lupe trotted happily along the dusty road leading back to the trailhead. Hadn’t been any room to park there. The whole place was packed. After all, it was a weekend in July.

SPHP paused briefly to register at the trailhead, and the enthusiastic American Dingo was on her way.

At the **West Tensleep trailhead** in the southern Bighorn Mountains.

Although Lupe had been to the West Tensleep trailhead before, she had never taken Trail No. 065 to the Lost Twin Lakes. The trail started out heading NNE in a lodgepole pine forest gaining elevation at a gradual, easy place. Mostly shady at first, but light began filtering through the trees as the sun got higher.

On the **Lost Twin Lakes trail**, No. 065. Photo looks NE.

After going a mile, the trail leveled out completely. The Carolina Dog soon came to a couple of switchbacks leading lower. At the bottom, the trail headed E through a little clearing providing an initial view.

Below the 2 switchbacks enjoying an initial mountain view. Photo looks ESE.

Beyond the small clearing, Lupe re-entered the forest, but not for long. She quickly arrived at a much larger meadow where the trail followed a short stretch of Middle Tensleep Creek, crossing only a minor tributary before entering the forest again.

Cooling off in **Middle Tensleep Creek**. Photo looks E.

At this point, the trail turned NE, away from the stream. This would have been a great spot for a picnic, because a nice shaded waterfall was here, but it was still too early in the day for that.

Waterfall on **Middle Tensleep Creek** 1.5 miles from the trailhead. Photo looks SW.

Loop had lost most of the elevation she’d gained during the first mile by the time she’d reached Middle Tensleep Creek. However, upon leaving the waterfall, No. 065 climbed steadily again, this time at a faster clip. This region was all forested until Lupe got to where the trail leveled out again after gaining 400 feet.

Here, she came to a couple of clearings providing more mountain views.

A glimpse of the high country along the spine of the Bighorns from the N slopes of **HP9640**. Photo looks NE.

Looking SE from the upper SE slopes of **HP9640**.

Beyond these clearings, the trail continued NE back in the forest again, gradually losing 100 feet of elevation before leveling out. From the edge of a vast meadow dotted with boulders, Middle Tensleep Creek was once more in sight down in the valley to the SE.

In the forest NE of **HP9640**. Photo looks ENE.

**Middle Tensleep Creek** (R) comes back into view. Photo looks SE.

This meadow was where a major tributary, the outlet stream from Mirror Lake, flowed into Middle Tensleep Creek. The outlet stream was visible, too, but Lupe saw no sign of another feature shown on the topo map. Trail No. 031 to Elk Park was supposed to cross this meadow and both streams S of a junction with the Lost Twin Lakes trail. However, if No. 031 still existed, Lupe and SPHP passed by without noticing it.

The Lost Twin Lakes trail continued NE, beginning to climb again as it returned to the forest. A curve SE soon revealed a big stream ahead. This was the outlet stream from Mirror Lake, which Loop now had to ford. The American Dingo didn’t mind a bit, stopping to get a cold drink along the way. SPHP managed to rock hop it without difficulty.

Fording the **Mirror Lake outlet stream**. Photo looks SE.

Beyond the ford, the Lost Twin Lakes trail climbed a bit higher before reaching another clearing which provided an update on the progress Lupe was making toward the high country.

Spine of the Bighorns from the Lost Twin Lakes trail. Photo looks ESE.

Going downhill heading NE, Lupe was now very close to Mirror Lake, hidden somewhere among the pines off to the L (N). Naturally, the American Dingo and SPHP were both anxious to have a look at it, and left the trail to find it.

**Mirror Lake** from its S cove. Photo looks N.

Only 10:30 AM, but Mirror Lake was so beautiful, and SPHP was already so pooped from lugging the heavy backpack, that an early lunch break was appealing. Discovering the joyful presence of squirrels almost the moment she arrived, Lupe was totally in favor of staying, too.

Baked chicken and an apple. Lunch was a noisy affair with the shrill Dingo raising a ruckus, but it sure felt good to relax. The placid scene was one of deceptive tranquility. Loopster skipped lunch entirely, but that was her own choice.

Mirror Lake was a good 3 miles from the West Tensleep trailhead, a bit over halfway to Lost Twin Lakes. So far, Lupe had been making decent time. However, she was going to be gaining more elevation between here and Lost Twin Lakes. That meant SPHP would be slower the rest of the way. As pleasant as it was resting in the shade watching ripples on Mirror Lake, lunch shouldn’t get drug out for too long.

When SPHP strapped the pack back on, Loop finally had to tear herself away from her squirrel watching. Turned out that it was a good thing she had gone to see Mirror Lake right away. The Lost Twin Lakes trail never did go right to it, instead staying S of a ridge big enough to hide the lake.

Middle Tensleep Creek was again visible S of the trail as Lupe continued NE in an open valley. Ahead, the valley narrowed, and the trail began climbing faster as it traversed a steep slope just N of the stream. Loop was soon a good 50 or 60 feet above Middle Tensleep Creek.

Heading up the narrow section of the **Middle Tensleep Creek valley**. Photo looks ENE.

Even here, the trail itself was rarely more than moderately steep. Before long, it began to level off as the valley broadened out again. Scattered boulders were now seen strewn across an open hilly region overlooking Middle Tensleep Creek, which wound lazily through lush green grass and tightly packed bushes.

To the SE, Lupe could now see a forested granite headwall 150 feet high. Far beyond it were towering cliffs, part of the giant cirque where the Lost Twin Lakes were hidden.

Approaching the 150 foot high headwall (R). Photo looks SE.

Crossing the hilly region, the Lost Twin Lakes Trail curved gradually SE toward the headwall, eventually taking Lupe down to Middle Tensleep Creek. Although fairly wide, the stream wasn’t deep. Lupe easily waded across, and SPHP manage to find a spot where it could be rock-hopped.

Fording **Middle Tensleep Creek**. Photo looks ESE.

After crossing Middle Tensleep Creek, Lupe was soon climbing among the forested granite formations of the headwall. Anticipation grew as the American Dingo reached the top. Any moment now, Loop might get her first look at the lower Lost Twin Lake.

Nope. The first view Lupe got was not of the lake, but of a bright green swampy region to the SW. A little farther on, a big slab of rock provided a look at what was ahead. No lake here, either. Instead, the trail could be seen crossing a meadow on its way to another headwall still 0.5 mile away.

The second headwall (Center) comes into view. Photo looks SE.

Gah! I was really hoping we’d see the lower lake here, Loopster! Getting mighty tired of lugging this pack.

It must be up past that next headwall, SPHP. Not that far. You can do it! We’re almost there!

Of course, Loop was right. It was all easy until the trail started climbing the second headwall. Nothing hard about that, either, except that SPHP was running out of gas. When the terrain finally leveled out again, sure enough, the lower Lost Twin Lake was in sight, nestled beneath steep rocky slopes and cliffs more than 1,000 feet high.

**Lower Lost Twin Lake** from the 2nd headwall. Photo looks S.

Even though SPHP had been taking lots of short breaks, it was only 1:45 PM. Not a cloud in the sky, and getting out of the intense July sun for a little while seemed like a great idea. Lupe was in favor of hiding out for a bit, too. Climbing the granite formations W of where the trail came up, she discovered a long 8 or 10 foot high boulder providing a nice big shady spot to hang out.

A few small trees were in this area, which was only a little E of the high point of this second headwall. SPHP ditched the pack, providing instant relief to sore feet and shoulders, while Lupe was happy to curl up in the shade. She eagerly made short work of her long delayed lunch of Taste of the Wild. Meanwhile, SPHP snacked on other supplies.

A pleasant lazy-day rest ensued, the only two disadvantages of this spot being that the lake wasn’t in sight, and that mosquitoes harassed both Lupe and SPHP. They weren’t too bad, though, and the less cautious of those evil insects paid with their lives for their bloodthirsty behavior.

45 minutes slipped by before anyone felt compelled to stir.

We came all this way to see the Lost Twin Lakes, SPHP. Maybe we ought to actually have a look at them?

Capital idea, Looper! And I’m glad you waited this long to suggest it. Feeling a bit peppier again. Let’s go have a look-see.

Getting to the top of the exposed rock formations at the headwall’s high point took only a couple of minutes. More of the lower Lost Twin Lake could be seen from here, and even a sliver of the upper one. The rugged setting was spectacular, and would be even more impressive over by the upper lake.

**Lower Lost Twin Lake** from the top of the second headwall. Photo looks SE.

The lower lake was round, but did have an arm that stuck out toward the W.

The **W arm of the lower Lost Twin Lake** is partially visible, but mostly hidden by the lower ridge beyond Lupe. Photo looks W.

The views were also impressive looking back down the valley that the Lost Twin Lakes trail had come up.

**S Fork of Middle Tensleep Creek** (L). The trail came up the R (NE) side of the valley. Photo looks NW.

**Mather Peaks (12,400 ft.)** (Center) from **Lost Twin Lakes**. Photo looks N.

While it would have been easy to go down to the shore of the lower Lost Twin Lake, near vertical rock formations along the E side blocked off any access to the upper Lost Twin Lake from the shoreline. However, it did look possible to get a view of the upper lake by going up and over those rock formations.

Returning to the Lost Twin Lakes trail, Lupe crossed it and headed E up a slope where a twin waterfall could be seen. This slope was full of bushes preventing easy maneuvering, but the American Dingo soon discovered a faint use trail. Unfortunately, the use trail did not take her to the spiffy twin waterfall, instead crossing the stream it was on well above it.

After crossing the stream, the use trail turned S and faded away once past the bushes. Lupe explored higher on a grassy slope dotted with boulders, and soon came to an important spot. A big snowbank and its little meltwater pond filled most of a small depression. Grass grew in the flat region next to the muddy shore of the pond. SPHP was ecstatic!

Yes! It’s really here, and even better than I hoped it would be, Loop. Luck of the Dingo, this is going to work out great!

You’re sure taking this snowbank and mucky 2 inch deep pond well, SPHP. Any particular reason? Care to let me in on the secret?

Oh, you’ll see soon enough, Loopster! Let’s go have a gander at the upper lake first, though, before all that. I’ll bet it’s fabulous!

SPHP ditched the backpack by a boulder not too far from the snowbank. Lupe continued sniffing S up to a high point a few hundred feet away. From here the Carolina Dog had a tremendous view of the upper Lost Twin Lake nestled in a giant cirque surrounded by towering cliffs. She could even see much of the W half of the lower lake.

W half of the lower Lost Twin Lake. Photo looks WSW.

Wow! This is a super scenic spot, SPHP!

Sure is, Loop! Let’s rest here a spell. I thought I was in better shape than this after your last Dingo Vacation, but I’m about worn out.

No worries, SPHP! I’m sort of tired, too. Wouldn’t want to leave a place like this as soon as we got here, anyway, would we?

The Lost Twin Lakes were gorgeous! Lupe and SPHP sat pondering the awesome scene for a long time. It was pretty rocky here, which wasn’t too comfortable for the Carolina Dog, but she could get on SPHP’s lap whenever she wanted to. Already above tree line, there was nothing to obstruct the views in any direction other than the massive magnificence of the mountains themselves.

Trying to relax on the not so cushiony granite. Photo looks NNW.

Spectacular **upper Lost Twin Lake**. Photo looks S.

Oh, my gosh, Looper! We’ve been here an hour and a half. Time sure flies in paradise! We better get going.

Where to, SPHP?

Remember that big melting snowbank in the depression?

Of course! Back there, what for? The pack?

The slope above the snowbank is our route higher. Until we actually got here, I wasn’t sure if it would be too steep or not, couldn’t tell from the topo map, but it’s fine.

How high are we going?

As high as we can get before we run out of oomph. Tomorrow, to the spine of the Bighorn Range!

The snowbank in the depression is seen L of Lupe. The route she would take higher is the green region that swooshes up and to the R (NE). Photo looks N.

Approaching the depression with the snowbank again, SPHP stopped to pick up the backpack. Then it was on down into the depression, and up the slope beyond it. Loopster frolicked in the snow to cool off before catching up to SPHP. The easily passable terrain narrowed considerably near the top of the steepest part of the slope, bordered by rocks to the SE and the stream that fed the twin waterfall to the NW, but the route never got completely pinched off.

The easy terrain soon widened out, still continuing higher at a good clip, though not as steeply as before. The Carolina Dog roamed at will, now heading up a wide, shallow valley, never getting too far from SPHP. This whole area was grassy, and full of pink and yellow wildflowers. Rocks were scattered throughout, with numerous unseen rivulets trickling away beneath them.

After a long trudge, a rocky high point appeared ahead, the first sign that Lupe actually was getting close to the spine of the Bighorns.

Heading for the spine of the Bighorns! Photo looks ENE.

The slope was gradually decreasing, when SPHP had finally had enough. Shedding the pack at a good spot to pitch Lupe’s tiny house, SPHP rested, studying the map before taking that task on. 4 miles to the NNW was a lovely view of the Mather Peaks (12,400 ft.) region, although SPHP couldn’t tell for sure if the true summit was actually in view or not.

**Mather Peaks** (Center) from where SPHP called a halt. Photo looks NNW.

Lupe became excited when SPHP started putting up her orange and gray Marmot tiny house, the new one SPHP had bought for her just last year before her adventures to Loaf Mountain (11,722 ft.) and Bighorn Peak (12,324 ft.). She hadn’t seen the tiny house since then, but it was clear she remembered it.

Bothered by mosquitoes, and tired after today’s long trek, Loop circled the tiny house again and again, trying to nose her way in before it was even fully set up. SPHP tossed the sleeping bags inside and spread them out for maximum comfort, prior to letting her enter. A very happy American Dingo was soon curled up on the softest spot.

Looper spent most of what was left of a beautiful evening snoozing. Not a waste of time judging from her twitching paws and muzzle, since she was apparently quite busy having lots of exciting adventures in Dingo dreamland.

As near as SPHP could figure it, the tiny house was at about 11,100 feet. Lost Twin Lakes Peak (12,015 ft.) was in view to the SW, in addition to the nearby unidentified peak to the E along the spine of the Bighorn Range, and Mather Peaks off to the NNW.

An hour before sunset, the Carolina Dog emerged from her tiny house. So beautiful up here above and beyond the Lost Twin Lakes! For a little while she stood sniffing the W breeze.

Camped near the spine of the Bighorns. Photo looks ENE.

**Lost Twin Lakes Peak** (L). Photo looks SW.

Despite how incredible it all was, Lupe didn’t stay out too long. Ready for dinner, and still short on sleep, she retired early to prepare for her next big adventure along the spine of the Bighorns tomorrow.

Above and beyond the Lost Twin Lakes, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 7-11-20

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