{"id":29016,"date":"2020-10-31T08:10:55","date_gmt":"2020-10-31T14:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=29016"},"modified":"2021-02-11T06:24:43","modified_gmt":"2021-02-11T13:24:43","slug":"darton-peak-bighorn-mountains-wyoming-7-12-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=29016","title":{"rendered":"Darton Peak, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-12-20)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Days 3 &amp; 4 of Lupe&#8217;s 2nd summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming &amp; Utah!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>7-12-20, 7:40 AM, 57\u00baF, 0.67 mile NE of Lost Twin Lakes at 11,100 feet<\/em> &#8211; With the sleeping bags and other unnecessary items safely stashed in the tiny house, SPHP was finally ready.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had slept like a rock last night, and was eager to get the day&#8217;s adventures underway.<\/p>\n<p>The lighter pack put a little more spring in SPHP&#8217;s step as Lupe headed ESE up a broad slope, a region of grass, wildflowers, and rock bordered on both flanks by talus ridges.\u00a0 The ridge on the L was higher, and led up to an unidentified peak along the spine of the Bighorn Range.<\/p>\n<p>The American Dingo was on her way to a saddle at the upper end of the slope.\u00a0 What she saw on the far side once she got there would put an end to any remaining uncertainty over her precise location.\u00a0 Progress was rapid, but for a while, Lupe didn&#8217;t seem to be getting any closer to the saddle.\u00a0 More territory kept appearing ahead.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28985\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28985\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6919.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28985\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6919-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6919.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6919.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6919.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6919.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6919.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6919.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28985\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Heading for the saddle (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>By the time Loop actually did reach the saddle, she was nearly a mile from the tiny house.\u00a0 The talus ridges on both sides were now hundreds of feet higher.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Miles away, and thousands of feet lower, a number of small lakes glistened in the morning sun.<\/p>\n<p>SPHP consulted the <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=29782\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>topo map<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 The lack of any big lakes much closer to the saddle was a dead giveaway.\u00a0 This had to be the Oliver Creek canyon.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28986\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28986\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6920.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28986\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6920-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6920.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6920.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6920.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6920.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6920.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6920.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28986\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the saddle. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28987\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28987\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6921.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28987\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6921-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6921.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6921.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6921.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6921.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6921.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6921.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28987\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The big talus ridge N of the saddle. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28989\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28989\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6923.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28989\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6923-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6923.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6923.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6923.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6923.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6923.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6923.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28989\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The <strong>Oliver Creek canyon<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If Lupe was seeing Oliver Creek Canyon from here, that meant the ridge to the N was part of <strong>Peak <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">12080<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 The ridge to the S had to be her actual objective, <a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=29782\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Darton Peak<\/strong><\/span><\/a> <strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(12,275 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This saddle was at a little over 11,600 feet.\u00a0 What could be seen of Darton Peak looked only 300 feet higher, not the roughly 650 feet it ought to have been.\u00a0 Either appearances were deceiving, or there must be a lot more to it.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28991\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28991\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6925.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28991\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6925-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6925.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6925.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6925.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6925.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6925.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6925.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28991\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Darton Peak<\/strong> from the saddle. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28990\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28990\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6924.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28990\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6924-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6924.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6924.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6924.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6924.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6924.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6924.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28990\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Enjoying the snow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The N face of Darton Peak appeared climbable, but quite steep and all talus.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 This ramp reached the ridgeline between an all talus portion trending toward the summit, and a couple of large snowbanks farther NW.\u00a0 Definitely a longer route, but perhaps a better approach than going straight up the N face?<\/p>\n<p>Looper gave the ramp a shot.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28992\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28992\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6926.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28992\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6926-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6926.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6926.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6926.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6926.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6926.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6926.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28992\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Heading up the big ramp (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Even the ramp proved to be mighty rocky.\u00a0 After getting past the initial bit of vegetation, Lupe found herself scrambling among great boulders still trying to get to the apparent ridgeline.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Occasionally the Carolina Dog encountered a bit of greenery, but no significant areas of genuinely better terrain.\u00a0 Disappointing!<\/p>\n<p>Gradually turning SE, then E, Lupe mounted a direct assault on the W slope.\u00a0 The American Dingo did her usual fantastic job of scrambling, but huge talus made progress dreadfully slow.\u00a0 SPHP became concerned about the deep holes among the rocks.\u00a0 Any fall resulting in a broken bone would be terribly serious.\u00a0 The required leaps were so large that Loop did have difficulty with some of them.\u00a0 Once she lost her grip, but fell only a few feet.\u00a0 Unharmed.\u00a0 Whew!<\/p>\n<p>Carefully, carefully!\u00a0 Didn&#8217;t matter how long this took.\u00a0 Meanwhile, views were improving.\u00a0 Off to the N, Lupe could see <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=5325\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mather Peaks<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(12,400 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=5324\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bomber Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(12,850 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and mighty <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=5323\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Cloud Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(13,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28993\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28993\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6927.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28993\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6927-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6927.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6927.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6927.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6927.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6927.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6927.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28993\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Mather Peaks<\/strong> (L), <strong>Cloud Peak<\/strong> (Center), and <strong>Bomber Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28994\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28994\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6928.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28994\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6928-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6928.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6928.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6928.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6928.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6928.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6928.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28994\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Scrambling the W face. <strong>Peak <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">12080<\/span><\/strong> (L) visible beyond Loop. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28995\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28995\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6929.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28995\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6929-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6929.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6929.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6929.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6929.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6929.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6929.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28995\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Scaling <strong>Darton Peak<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The rocks kept getting bigger.\u00a0 Many as big as cars, some as big as buses.\u00a0 Cavernous holes between them.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n<p>Darton Peak slowly narrowed.\u00a0 Surely, Loop was getting close to the top?\u00a0 She climbed and climbed, but more rocks kept appearing distressingly higher.<\/p>\n<p>At last, it was clear that the Carolina Dog was just 20 or 30 feet below the summit.\u00a0 However, the talus was huge.\u00a0 Neither Loop nor SPHP could find a way up from the W.\u00a0 Slowly working around to the S, a couple of spots might have worked, but they were chancy.\u00a0 SPHP didn&#8217;t like the looks of them.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe kept circling until the E face came into view.\u00a0 A solid wall of rock.\u00a0 No way up it.\u00a0 For a couple of minutes, SPHP studied the situation.\u00a0 If the wall had been only a little shorter, Loop would have been able to get up there.\u00a0 As it was, simply no dice.\u00a0 Not gonna work.<\/p>\n<p>Better go back.\u00a0 SPHP took another look at the possibilities from the S.\u00a0 They hadn&#8217;t gotten any better.\u00a0 Not going to risk it.\u00a0 A second search was conducted along the W face.\u00a0 Finally, a bit toward the N, an answer to the puzzle.\u00a0 A spot where it was possible to get another 10 feet higher.<\/p>\n<p>That was the break Lupe needed.\u00a0 The rest was, well, not easy, but much less difficult.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=29782\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Darton Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(12,275 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> had a two tier summit region.\u00a0 Lupe came up from the W, reaching the slightly lower NW area first.\u00a0 Nothing but rock up here, but the boulders weren&#8217;t as massive as what she&#8217;d just come through.\u00a0 The true summit was a big light-colored boulder just S of this lower tier.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28996\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28996\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6931.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28996\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6931-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6931.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6931.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6931.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6931.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6931.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6931.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28996\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">In the slightly lower NW portion of <strong>Darton Peak&#8217;s summit region<\/strong>. The <strong>true summit boulder<\/strong> is right behind Looper. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Both the upper and lower tiers were roughly 20 feet in diameter.\u00a0 The upper tier had the largest boulders.\u00a0 The true summit boulder sat NW of 2 other huge rocks which weren&#8217;t much lower.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28997\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28997\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6932.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28997\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6932-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6932.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6932.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6932.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6932.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6932.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6932.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28997\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Upper tier of the summit region<\/strong>. The two highest boulders toward the S end are seen beyond Lupe. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A gusty 15 to 25 mph W wind that had come up during the ascent was an annoyance.\u00a0 Lupe especially didn&#8217;t care for it when SPHP boosted her up onto the true summit boulder.\u00a0 The top of the boulder was somewhat narrow, which didn&#8217;t help make her feel any more secure.\u00a0 However, she did stay up there for several minutes, long enough for a few photos.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28998\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28998\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6933.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28998\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6933-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6933.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6933.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6933.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6933.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6933.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6933.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28998\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the <strong>true summit of Darton Peak<\/strong>. <strong>Cloud Peak<\/strong> (Center), <strong>Bomber Mountain<\/strong> (R) and <strong>Mather Peaks<\/strong> (L) in the distance. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28999\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28999\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6934.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-28999\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6934-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6934.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6934.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6934.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6934.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6934.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6934.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28999\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Standing or sitting, that&#8217;s all I&#8217;m giving you, SPHP! Hurry it up!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The views from Darton Peak were tremendous!\u00a0 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 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=72702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Loaf Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(11,722 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and even <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=30018\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Hazelton Pyramid<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10,534 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> to the S.\u00a0 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=36933\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bighorn Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(12,324 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was only 1.5 miles due S.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29001\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29001\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6936.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29001\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6936-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6936.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6936.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6936.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6936.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6936.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6936.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29001\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (Center) from Darton Peak. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29005\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29005\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6940.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29005\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6940-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6940.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6940.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6940.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6940.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6940.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6940.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29005\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (L) with <strong>Hazelton Pyramid<\/strong> (far L) in the distance. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29008\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29008\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6943.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29008\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6943-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6943.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6943.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6943.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6943.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6943.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6943.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29008\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Loaf Mountain<\/strong> (L), <strong>Hazelton Peak<\/strong> (Center), and <strong>Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=89477\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Lost Twin Lakes Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(12,015 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was visible off to the SW.\u00a0 Earlier in the day, SPHP had harbored hopes that Lupe might be able to venture over there today after visiting Darton Peak.\u00a0 Hah!\u00a0 Delusional!\u00a0 Although Darton Peak wasn&#8217;t all that far from where the tiny house was situated, it had taken hours to get up here.\u00a0 Clearly it would take hours more just to get down.<\/p>\n<p>Getting to Lost Twin Lakes Peak would then be nearly a two mile march, which didn&#8217;t sound like much, but Lupe could see practically the entire route from here.\u00a0 An awful lot of talus to deal with, plus some pretty good elevation variations.\u00a0 Nope, sadly not happening, but it was fun to have such a good view of what would have been involved.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29002\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29002\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6937.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29002\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6937-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6937.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6937.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6937.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6937.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6937.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6937.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29002\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Lost Twin Lakes Peak<\/strong> (Center) from Darton Peak. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29004\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29004\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6939.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29004\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6939-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6939.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6939.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6939.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6939.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6939.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6939.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29004\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View of the route from <strong>Darton Peak<\/strong> around to the L over to <strong>Lost Twin Lakes Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Portions of the Lost Twin Lakes could be seen as well, although only a sliver of the upper lake was visible.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29006\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29006\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6941.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29006\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6941-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6941.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6941.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6941.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6941.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6941.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6941.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29006\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking down on the <strong>Lost Twin Lakes<\/strong>. <strong>Lost Twin Lakes Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>No other high peaks existed off to the E.\u00a0 Instead, Lupe could see many small lakes and a vast lower portion of the Bighorns, most of it forested.\u00a0 Beyond the foothills, the high plains of NE Wyoming extended to the far horizon.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29009\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29009\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6944.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29009\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6944-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6944.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6944.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6944.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6944.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6944.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6944.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29009\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking E over the <strong>Oliver Creek canyon<\/strong>. <strong>Willow Lake<\/strong> is the largest one seen on the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29007\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29007\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6942.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29007\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6942-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6942.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6942.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6942.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6942.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6942.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6942.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29007\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Some of the <strong>Chill Lakes<\/strong> and <strong>Firehole Lakes<\/strong> are visible on the R. SPHP thought the oddly shaped boulder in the foreground was rather strange. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Already 1:10 PM.\u00a0 The ascent had been more challenging and taken way longer than anticipated.\u00a0 After a good look around from the upper tier of the summit region, a decent rest break was in order.\u00a0 Darton Peak was nothing but boulders.\u00a0 Not a single soft spot or patch of dirt where Lupe could relax.\u00a0 She retreated to the slightly lower NW tier where the rocks weren&#8217;t quite as large.<\/p>\n<p>SPHP shook the Carolina Dog&#8217;s paw, congratulating Loop on her Darton Peak success, then sat down so she could at least curl up on SPHP&#8217;s lap.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.\u00a0 Clouds sailed swiftly by, their shadows passing briefly over the mountain.\u00a0 Time was spent reminiscing about the American Dingo&#8217;s other adventures along the spine of the Bighorns.<\/p>\n<p>In years now lost to history, Loop had been to quite a few of these high peaks.\u00a0 It was fun to see them all again from yet another lofty, lonely, wind-swept summit.\u00a0 Less than a year ago, she&#8217;d had her first good look at Darton Peak from Bighorn Peak, and now, amazingly, here she was!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25352\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25352\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4082-scaled.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-25352\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4082-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4082-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4082-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4082-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4082-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4082-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4082-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25352\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Darton Peak<\/strong> (R) from Bighorn Peak on 7-23-19. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_25364\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25364\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4098-scaled.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-25364\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4098-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4098-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4098-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4098-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4098-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4098-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/IMG_4098-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25364\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Darton Peak<\/strong> (L) on 7-23-19. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>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&#8217;t have enjoyed it.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29003\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29003\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6938.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29003\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6938-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6938.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6938.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6938.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6938.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6938.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6938.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29003\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A last look at <strong>Bighorn Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Well, it was time.\u00a0 Heading back to the lower tier, Lupe started the long, tricky scramble down Darton Peak&#8217;s W slope.\u00a0 She&#8217;d barely gotten started when SPHP paused.<\/p>\n<p><em>What&#8217;s the holdup, SPHP?\u00a0 Keep going!<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>I&#8217;d love to, Looper, but keep going where?\u00a0 Do you remember how we got up here, cause I&#8217;m not seeing it.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Oh, don&#8217;t worry about that!\u00a0 Any route you want to take is fine with me.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>That&#8217;s the problem.\u00a0 I not only don&#8217;t see where we came up, I don&#8217;t see any way down at all.\u00a0 None.\u00a0 Zippo.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Oh, please!\u00a0 We got up here, so there has to be one.\u00a0 It&#8217;s right around here somewhere.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll help you look.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Wandering carefully, slowly, in the stiff breeze among massive boulders, the search began.\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 No safe way down, only drops so large they meant a fall.\u00a0 Giving up on the W slope, Lupe and SPHP circled around to the S.\u00a0 Yuck!\u00a0 Even worse.\u00a0 Nada.<\/p>\n<p><em>Well, this is a bit of a pickle, isn&#8217;t it?\u00a0 We don&#8217;t have any rope, and even if we did, you&#8217;d never get down it, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Let&#8217;s work our way back over to the W slope, SPHP.\u00a0 We know we came up somewhere over there.\u00a0 If we have to look at every rock on this mountain, we&#8217;re going to find the right one.\u00a0 C&#8217;mon!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>That sort of did have to be the plan.\u00a0 After more fruitless searching along the W slope, carefully examining every rock, crack, and gap multiple times, something clicked.<\/p>\n<p><em>This is it, Loop!\u00a0 I finally recognize it.\u00a0 We came up this way.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>You sure, SPHP?\u00a0 You&#8217;ve looked at these same rocks umpteen times and saw nothing.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Yep, yep!\u00a0 I remember this now.\u00a0 It just has a different appearance looking down on it, than it did on the way up.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29010\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29010\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6945.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29010\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6945-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6945.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6945.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6945.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6945.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6945.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6945.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29010\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Among the boulders, still high on the W slope. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe was on her way again.\u00a0 Sure wasn&#8217;t the end of looking for viable routes down Darton Peak&#8217;s W slope, but the snail-like process never ground to a complete halt again for long.\u00a0 Nearly 3 hours after leaving the summit, Looper emerged from the worst of the boulders, reaching better terrain with smaller rocks and some vegetation.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29011\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29011\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6946.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29011\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6946-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6946.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6946.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6946.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6946.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6946.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6946.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29011\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Through the worst of it. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n<p>What a day!\u00a0 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=29782\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Darton Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(12,275 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> couldn&#8217;t have been any more than 1.5 miles as the crow flies from the tiny house the American Dingo had started out from.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n<p>Apparently, SPHP wasn&#8217;t the only one that felt that way.\u00a0 Back at the tiny house, Lupe rested outside among the wildflowers, enjoying another lovely spine of the Bighorns evening at 11,100 feet.\u00a0 However, she didn&#8217;t seem to have the energy to eat much Taste of the Wild for dinner.\u00a0 Long before sunset, she retired to the tiny house, crashing and burning on her soft sleeping bag.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29012\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29012\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6947.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29012\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6947-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6947.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6947.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6947.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6947.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6947.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6947.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29012\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">In Dingo dreamland after Darton Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>7-13-20, 7:01 AM<\/em> &#8211; Once again, the American Dingo had barely stirred during the night.\u00a0 However, she was up now, looking wistfully toward <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=5325\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mather Peaks<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(12,400 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> while SPHP packed up the tiny house.<\/p>\n<p>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.\u00a0 Looked like a front might be moving in out of the NW.<\/p>\n<p>Still, as the Carolina Dog continued to stare in that same direction, SPHP began to reconsider all options.\u00a0 In the end, SPHP simply wasn&#8217;t up for it.\u00a0 Mather Peaks was easily 3 times as far away as Darton Peak had been.\u00a0 While it didn&#8217;t look like a hard trek from here, much of the route was every bit as rocky.\u00a0 Might actually take a very long time to get there.<\/p>\n<p>Darton Peak had been a success.\u00a0 Best let it go at that.\u00a0 Besides, that left the possibility that some fine day, Lupe would return.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29013\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29013\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6948.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29013\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6948-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6948.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6948.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6948.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6948.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6948.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6948.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29013\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Mather Peaks<\/strong> (Center) on the morning after Darton Peak. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29014\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29014\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6950.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29014\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6950-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6950.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6950.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6950.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6950.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6950.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6950.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29014\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bighorns marmot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>By 12:30 PM, Lupe was back at the G6, still parked along the dusty road S of the West Tensleep trailhead.<\/p>\n<p>The Carolina Dog&#8217;s Lost Twin Lakes and Darton Peak adventures were over.\u00a0 Rest and recovery time.\u00a0 Lupe enjoyed Alpo and chicken jerky treats for lunch, while SPHP drove.\u00a0 Sadly, the old Deer Haven lodge looked defunct, but SPHP did get a juicy cheeseburger and a 7UP at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/meadowlarklakelodge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Meadowlark Lake lodge<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Energy returned during a relaxing afternoon at the Lake Point picnic ground.\u00a0 In the evening, Looper took the familiar short trail up to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=56640\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">High Park Lookout<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(9,477 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 A front had indeed moved in during the day.\u00a0 No precipitation yet, but silvery clouds hung over the spine of the Bighorn Range.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29015\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29015\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6951.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29015\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6951-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6951.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6951.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6951.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6951.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6951.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6951.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29015\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Spine of the Bighorns from High Park Lookout. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29000\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29000\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6935.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29000\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6935-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6935.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6935.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6935.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6935.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6935.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6935.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29000\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Darton Peak<\/strong>, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 7-12-20<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=29085\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=28949\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Darton Peak, Part 1: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=28949\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>To the Lost Twin Lakes &amp; Beyond, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-11-20)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>W<\/em><em>ant more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=32049\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Summer of 2020<\/span> Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Utah &amp; Montana Adventure Inde<\/strong><strong>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=138\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000080;\"><a style=\"color: #000080;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\"><strong>new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Days 3 &amp; 4 of Lupe&#8217;s 2nd summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming &amp; Utah! 7-12-20, 7:40 AM, 57\u00baF, 0.67 mile NE of Lost Twin Lakes at 11,100 feet &#8211; With the sleeping bags and other unnecessary items safely stashed in the tiny house, SPHP was finally ready.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had slept like &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=29016\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Darton Peak, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-12-20)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28998,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1293],"tags":[105,185,106,1306,26,104,275],"class_list":["post-29016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-summer-of-2020","tag-american-dingo","tag-bighorn-mountains","tag-carolina-dog","tag-darton-peak","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_6933.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29016"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29016\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32067,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29016\/revisions\/32067"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/28998"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}