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| South Slopes   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 40.42900°N / 105.56°W Route Type: Hiking, Scrambling Season: Spring, Summer, Fall Time Required: Half a day Difficulty: Easy Grade: I
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| Page By: Kiefer Thomas Created/Edited: May 21, 2007 / May 21, 2007 Object ID: 294999 Hits: 607 Loading... Page Score: 0% - 0 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewThe South Slopes route on Dark Mountain, though not exactly clear-cut is easily followed as long as one keeps to the 'path of least resistance'. Since no maintained or even primitive trail exists on this mountain, the entire south (slope) shoulder should be considered as a viable option when approaching from the south.
When approaching the south slopes from Cow Creek TH, follow Cow Creek trail west to the junction with Bridal Veil Falls at 1.8 miles. This junction is marked. Continue straight (west) crossing Cow Creek for an additional 1.7 miles into the narrowing canyon to the Black Canyon junction which is also marked. This is your point of ascent.
Do not leave the trail too soon to ascend the south slope when coming from this direction. The southeastern ridge is cut with shallow ravines albeit filled with profuse deadfall and numerous rock croppings considerably slowing ones progress.
When approaching from Twin Owls TH (most common route), follow the Black Canyon trail west (towards MacGregor Mountain) as it parellels Lumpy Ridge and the MacGregor Meadows to the south (left). The trail cuts through montaine forest as it angles north inbetween MacGregor Mountain and Sundance Buttress. The trail junction is ~3.5 miles from Twin Owls TH.
SOUTH SLOPES:
Grade: I
Class: 2
When standing at the Dark Canyon and Black Canyon trail junction, Dark Mountains' south slopes rise immediately in front of you to the north but due to the dense forest, is not immediately apparent. From this junction, leave the trail and angle east up the south slope for roughly ~75ft. then straighten-out and continue a north bearing directly up the slope. This routh gains elevation quickly, about 1,700ft in ~1.3 miles. Stay to this south shoulder until a rocky crag is reached. This area plateaus out a bit and Dark Mountain's rocky summit will come into view.
Continue in a Northwesterly direction (based off line of sight or GPS coords.) dropping slightly into a very shallow basin and back out until the base of the summit is reached. It rises abruptly from the increasingly thickening forest. Deadfall is also more common around its' base.
From here, simply scramble up towards the summit on steep class-2 to gain the rocky and lonely summit.
There is, somewhat surprisingly, a register at the summit.
The immediate summits' eastern aspect does provide for an easier pitch, probably easy class-2 at most but it is a very irritating and aggrevating journey through thick forest and thicker deadfall to reach it. The trees strangely, are actually larger.
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Rocky Mountain National Park
