Lost Twin Lake-Cloud Peak Wilderness Wyoming
Nov 9, 2016 14:47:00 GMT -5
Post by hoosier on Nov 9, 2016 14:47:00 GMT -5
Friday November 4, 2016
Lost Twin Lakes, Cloud Peak Wilderness
Bighorn Mountain NF Wyoming
After finishing my day one hike of Devils Tower Wyoming I headed south into the sunset on Route 14 , and then west on I-90 to Buffalo Wyoming. And my base for the night.
My plans were to get an early start (6:00 am) from the West Tensleep Lake trailhead in the Bighorn NF, to Lost Twin Lake. A 5.4 mile (one way) 10.8 mile (RT) hike on trail no. 65. The 55 mile drive the trailhead took a bit over an hour, including the last seven miles on dirt forest roads. Was just hoping I could find the turnoff for FR 27. Although I easily found the well-marked turnoff.
Threw my backpack on in the very dark and chilly morning. Along with my headlamp. And a backup lamp with extra batteries just in case. Sunrise for the area was listed as 7:48 with first light showing just after 7:00. Was surreal walking thru the forest solo in the darkness. Just wondering if anything (mountain lions or bears) was lurking in the darkness just out of the reach of my headlamp. This feeling became more pronounced as I entered the first large open meadow in darkness, and my headlamp could not reach the far sides.
About the time i reached the second open meadow first light was becoming visible in the sky. Shortly thereafter sunlight lit up Elk Mountain and Mather peaks to my north. Soon reached Mirror Lake which was hidden by a rise of land off to the left of the trail. By this time it was easily light enough to put away the headlamp.
Continued following trail 65 to its terminus at the Lost Twin Lakes. Closer to the lakes, the morning sun angle was too bad for any good photos of the 3000 foot cliffs that rises up from the lake surface. Which was a frozen sheet. The last half mile of the trail had some hard crusty snow covering some of the north facing aspects. And had to keep an eye on my foot placement.
Spent 15 to 20 minutes or so soaking in the beauty of this place. Hiked at a leisurely pace back out the same trail. Sort of nice having hiked in under darkness to Mirror Lake. As it was like a completely different hike under light. Stopped off at Mirror Lake on the way out.
Probably one of my favorite hikes of 2016. And one I would highly recommend if one ever finds themselves in this part of the county.
A few photo highlights from the days hike:
Soon after first light
Soon after first light
Solitude
First View of Cliffs at Lost Twin Lakes
Cliffs of Lost Twin Lakes
3000 foot tall cliffs
Cliffs of Lost Twin Lakes
Stopped at Mirror lake on way back out
Meadow on hike out
Lost Twin Lakes, Cloud Peak Wilderness
Bighorn Mountain NF Wyoming
After finishing my day one hike of Devils Tower Wyoming I headed south into the sunset on Route 14 , and then west on I-90 to Buffalo Wyoming. And my base for the night.
My plans were to get an early start (6:00 am) from the West Tensleep Lake trailhead in the Bighorn NF, to Lost Twin Lake. A 5.4 mile (one way) 10.8 mile (RT) hike on trail no. 65. The 55 mile drive the trailhead took a bit over an hour, including the last seven miles on dirt forest roads. Was just hoping I could find the turnoff for FR 27. Although I easily found the well-marked turnoff.
Threw my backpack on in the very dark and chilly morning. Along with my headlamp. And a backup lamp with extra batteries just in case. Sunrise for the area was listed as 7:48 with first light showing just after 7:00. Was surreal walking thru the forest solo in the darkness. Just wondering if anything (mountain lions or bears) was lurking in the darkness just out of the reach of my headlamp. This feeling became more pronounced as I entered the first large open meadow in darkness, and my headlamp could not reach the far sides.
About the time i reached the second open meadow first light was becoming visible in the sky. Shortly thereafter sunlight lit up Elk Mountain and Mather peaks to my north. Soon reached Mirror Lake which was hidden by a rise of land off to the left of the trail. By this time it was easily light enough to put away the headlamp.
Continued following trail 65 to its terminus at the Lost Twin Lakes. Closer to the lakes, the morning sun angle was too bad for any good photos of the 3000 foot cliffs that rises up from the lake surface. Which was a frozen sheet. The last half mile of the trail had some hard crusty snow covering some of the north facing aspects. And had to keep an eye on my foot placement.
Spent 15 to 20 minutes or so soaking in the beauty of this place. Hiked at a leisurely pace back out the same trail. Sort of nice having hiked in under darkness to Mirror Lake. As it was like a completely different hike under light. Stopped off at Mirror Lake on the way out.
Probably one of my favorite hikes of 2016. And one I would highly recommend if one ever finds themselves in this part of the county.
A few photo highlights from the days hike:
Soon after first light
Soon after first light
Solitude
First View of Cliffs at Lost Twin Lakes
Cliffs of Lost Twin Lakes
3000 foot tall cliffs
Cliffs of Lost Twin Lakes
Stopped at Mirror lake on way back out
Meadow on hike out