It's 3 miles each way from Rock Springs and really not that much more difficult. Well worth the extra effort just to know you went all the way.

But yes, you can just hang a right at Rock Springs and cut out the top. We do that most of the time we do the Alpine Dam loop just because we're generally pressed for time.

The view from the top can be incredible, though, as I am sure you know.... And the second climb is not really as high as the first. Once you get to the "big white DOD ball peak" you have really hit the high point.