Turning west, Twin Peaks lies just 0.3 miles uphill with unbroken views to Ridgway, Ouray, Yankee Boy Basin, the Amphitheater, and every high peak within a five mile radius. From the summit of Bushnell, begin the journey over to Twin Sisters. Refer to Bushnell for the approach. Either park along the south side of the gravel road or at the Visitor's Center and walk to the trailhead. Join us for the hike. Round-trip took just under four hours with lots of stops. Compared to the other mountain hike that we did - Flattop Mountain with Hallett Peak - the Twin … Read more Some slick spots but very enjoyable with great snowpack or just plain ground for most of the way. If you are hiking this trail in the summer or fall, you will not be … Temperatures will be below freezing (max -5°C on Wed night, min -13°C on Tue night). Located on Highway 7, opposite Lily Lake (see its own entry) and just south of Estes Park. The Twin Sisters are at the very edge of Rocky Mountain National Park and can be accessed without entering the park. Keep an eye out for elk, … Turn left (east) at the old Lily Lake Visitor Center (across the highway from Lily Lake), bypass the visitor center (now closed), and continue up the gravel road for … This is a very popular trail/trailhead, especially in the summertime, so be ready for some crowds. Parking is only permitted on the right side of the road, and spaces are limited. You park directly across from Lily Lake and have to hike a quarter mile-ish up the closed off road to reach the trailhead, and from the TH, round trip took me 3 hrs 20min. Always rewarding, somewhat challenging, but doable even without a flashlight - at least on a night with a full moon. Log a climb. There are even patches of dirt/rock that poke through. Other than that, the trail pretty much looks the same and snakes up the backside of Twin Sisters. (Days 3-6): A dusting of new snow. Unfortunately, we ended up seeing mostly clouds the day that we went. The one-story building has an arched roof with a trap door to provide access when snow has drifted over the … peakery; Log a climb. The hike is 7.5 miles, with 2,516 ft. elevation gain, and is rated as difficult. Horses are also able to use this trail. The altitude, as well as latitude and longitude shown above, is only for the higher and more prominent north peak. A peak’s prominence, also known as topographic prominence or relative height, is a measure of how distinct a peak is from other peaks. LINKS: TWIN SISTERS. At this point the trail is mostly contained in a dense forest so the views of Longs Peak are fleeting. Topping out at 11,332, it’s below 13’er status, but with nearly 2,500 of elevation gain it’s still formidable mountain. When you reach the top, the panorama view is just spectacular! Wind will be generally light. Hiked 12/26. Odessa Lake & Fern Lake. I did it in hiking boots and also helps to do it in afternoon so the ice melts a bit. Almost no snow on summit. Twin Sisters Peaks Weather (Days 0-3): Mostly dry. A peak’s prominence, also known as topographic prominence or relative height, is a measure of how distinct a peak is from other peaks. The trail begins its first series of switchbacks about a quarter of a mile from the trailhead. Couldn’t have asked for better weather in Dec! The path can be very crowded. Beautiful hike! Rocky Mountain National Park charges a fee to enter. The Twin Sisters Trail is a fun summit hike that gives you a taste of many features of Rocky Mountain National Park. If you’re looking for a challenge, the Twin Sisters Peak Trail is a short but strenuous foray into some of the park’s prettiest scenery. Our kids did make it to the peak, where it was extremely cold and windy. Twin Sisters is a hike to a summit that will present you with outstanding views of the Longs Peak and the eastern plains. Colorado Tourism Office, 1625 Broadway, Suite 1700 , Denver, CO, 80202, Phone: 800-COLORADO, Directions from Estes Park: Follow Hwy 7 south past the Lily Lake Visitor Center to the turnoff for the Twin Peaks Trailhead. Twin Sisters has a net elevation gain of ~2,340ft. This hike is located just minutes from Estes Park, and a little under 2 hours from Denver, with an extremely accessible trail head right off of CO-7. The trailhead starts close to 9,000 ft elevation. Twin Sisters Peaks Trail Ticket Price, Hours, Address and Reviews. Twin Sisters Peaks is a fun winter hike that’s located in the Colorado Front Range. Definitely need yak tracks or spikes in some areas. Hiked on 12/25. (ATV Trails, UTV Trails, Caves, Old Buildings, Ghost Towns) ... RIDE & VACATION RENTALS; SITE UPDATES; RULES; ATV UTV BUSINESSES; Newsletter; TWIN SISTERS PEAK (Click on The Picture to Zoom) *VIEW FROM TRAIL 402.1F. The hike up Twin Sisters Peak is hard especially when there is loose snow and ice patches. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as elk, black bears, and moose. The mountain is 11,400 feet and the timberline is a relatively low 11,100 feet. Spikes and poles recommended. For a seasoned, fit hiker, the Twin Sisters Trail is rated as moderate. Temperatures will be well below freezing (max -8°C on Sun night, min -14°C on Sat afternoon). The primary activity is hiking and backcountry permits are required for camping. Details coming soon on our Facebook page. For those that want to go beyond valley loops and lesser peaks, this is a great beginner summit hike. The trail to the top is not easy, but the trail is clear, well graded, and easy to find. Park across Lily lake and hike the road to TH. (with the predicted snow in the next few days, definitely recommend some traction) Cheers! The trail is well groomed which made for a easy decent. Any mountain is more difficult in inclement weather. An alternate route we used years later to climb UN13,042, offers perhaps an easier way to climb Twin Sisters than our initial route, keeping it closer to Class 2. - EAST LONGS PEAK TRAILHEAD - The Longs Peak trail attracted tourists since the 1860’s, especially … I do not recommend it for people who are not hardy hikers. Twin Sisters Peak Trail hike Map. Trailhead: You will find a big sign for this trailhead on the east side of Highway 7, south of Estes Park. Three of these trails are located between the towns of Allenspark and Estes Park – Chasm Lake, Estes Cone and Twin Sisters Peak. There are signs that say that you need a RMNP pass to use the parking areas. As you reach the summit, the trail becomes very steep and windy. Twin Sisters is a hike to a summit that will present you with outstanding views of the Longs Peak and the eastern plains. There is a washed out area about halfway on the trail from the flooding in 2013. The Twin Sisters Peak hike offers great views of Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. Center map. Temperatures will be below freezing (max -2°C on Thu … There's a large sign for the trailhead on the west side of Highway 7 just before the turnoff. The trailhead is located just east of Hwy 7. At the top, you will see a trail sign in between the turn off for both sister peaks. Temperatures will be below freezing (max -5°C on Wed night, min -13°C on Tue night). Turning west, Twin Peaks lies just 0.3 miles uphill with unbroken views to Ridgway, Ouray, Yankee Boy Basin, the Amphitheater, and every high peak within a five mile radius. Carry the essentials (ten or … Get Directions. Gorgeous views all around and especially at the top. Once you reach the top you will be rewarded with wonderful views. The 2,200 foot climb is rated as moderate. The Twin Sisters Peaks located on the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park are wonderful high peaks with very easy access. East Portal Trailhead: Wind River and Glacier Basin Loop [CLOSED], Estes Cone via Eugena Mine and Longs Peak Trail, The Keyhole and Longs Peak via Longs Peak Trail, Wind River, Storm Pass, Sprague Lake, and Glacier Creek Loop. The trail does not use trail blazes, but is still easy to follow. Drive up the dirt road for about half a mile to the turn-around and find a. place to park on the right side of the road. On Tuesday, I took on Twin Sisters Peak Trail, a 7.5 mile round trip. The trail is 3.7 miles each way while gaining 2300 feet in altitude. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Very windy out of the tree line and cold! The trailhead is easy to access as it's located close to Estes Park. The trail begins its first series of switchbacks about a quarter of a mile from the trailhead. Twin Sisters is another Rocky mountain National Park trail that does not require one to pay an entrance fee. Traction is needed above tree line. The Twin Sisters Trailhead is located 6.2 miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7. I hike in full summer garb and of all the gear I had with me, I only wore a light jacket for awhile on the way down. I also some people running on it. Look for signs pointing to the trailhead. Fees are $25 per vehicle/motorcycle. Enable Map. 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I just got back from a camping trip with friends in RMNP. Weather was perfect, a little icy but not enough for crampons. Twin Sisters Peak is one such winter adventure. Getting to Twin Sisters Peak will have you hiking through wooded, rocky, and alpine terrain. The trail does not use trail blazes, but is still easy to follow. Twin Sisters Peaks offers a good choice to acclimize for hikes/climbs up Long's Peak, Pagoda, Chief's Head or Mt. I will concede that we all trained for this trip as we were planning on climbing Longs Peak. Once you reach the top you will be rewarded with wonderful views. Twin Sisters Peaks Weather (Days 0-3): Mostly dry. Completed in under 4 hours (including a little a break at the top). Will do again in spring or summer! If you are hiking this trail in the summer or fall, you will not be alone, but you won't care because the hike is incredible. Twin Sister Peaks, page 2 Climb Notes. Peak conditions for the first day of 2021. A great hike through the forest with amazing views of Longs Peak and the Twin Sister Peaks waiting for you above treeline at the end. When the snows come—typically in late winter—the trail to the summit is a great opportunity for those looking for a short and manageable snowshoe. Read More . The trailhead for the Twin Sisters is on the east side of the road next to the Ranger Station. These trails are within short distances from each other, so it is best to stay one or two nights in the area if you want to hike all three, or come back another day. The north peak is officially ranked by Lists of Johnas # 59 in the Black Hills, with 400 feet of prominence. The trail to the top is not easy, but the trail is clear, well graded, and easy to find. Twin Sisters Peaks Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park: See 46 reviews, articles, and 58 photos of Twin Sisters Peaks Trail, ranked No.39 on Tripadvisor among 95 attractions in Rocky Mountain National Park. Hiking info, trail maps, and trip reports from Twin Sisters (6,014 ft) in Washington. Be alert for thunderstorms which can form quickly, monitor the weather before you hike and watch for … Located 24 miles northwest of Boulder Colorado. Twin Sisters offers a lot of reward for little commitment. The trailhead begins at an elevation of approximately 9,225 feet and gradually ascends through the lodgepole pine forest. Popular Rocky Mountain National Park Categories, Things to do near Twin Sisters Peaks Trail, Commonly searched for in Rocky Mountain National Park, Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park. I wore spikes which were handy but not necessary as all snow was packed down. One of the faster ways to get above tree line on a hike in the Front Range. Follow the turnoff.35 miles up the dirt road to the parking area. The Twin Sisters Peaks located on the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park are wonderful high peaks with very easy access. Perfect conditions! Great views. Peak Map. ELEVATION: 5940 ft . As we many of the Sange de Cristo summits access can be an issue due to private property concerns, especially on the east side of the range. The trailhead is easy to access as it's located close to Estes Park. Wind will be generally light. We really enjoyed this hike! Its nearby neighbors of Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Dream Lake get a lot more visitors, so if you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike … Twin Sisters Peaks Trail … It continues at a gradual slope through forest for a long way. A yellow bellied marmot scurried across the trail. Hard snow packed trail from parking lot to summit. The uphill grade is relatively gentle / consistent and the snow is packed, so it felt easy! Locals also use it for training / exercise. Check the weather ahead of time and bring the appropriate gear for the conditions. Views at the summit are definitely the reward!! East Twin Sisters Peak (11,428′) and West Twin Sisters Peak (11,413′) offers stunning […] Latest. Twin Sisters Peaks offers a good choice to acclimize for hikes/climbs up Long's Peak, Pagoda, Chief's Head or Mt. Inside the park, you’ll have the chance to take short hikes or simply relax. At this point the trail is mostly contained in a dense forest so the views of Longs Peak are fleeting. It was much easier to go back down, and well worth the hike. Be alert for thunderstorms which can form quickly, monitor the weather before you hike and watch for storm-cloud formations during the hike. Top was exposed to the wind and snow and was too cloudy to see more than 200 yards. For those not acclimated or fit, the trail will be a challenge. For those that want to go beyond valley loops and lesser peaks, this is a great beginner summit hike. The Twin Sisters trail that I took is on the outskirts of Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park. The Twin Sisters trail head parking lot is located 0.5 miles south of the Lily Mountain trail head on CO-7, across the street from Lily Lake, and is about 10 minutes from Estes Lake in Estes Park, Colorado. 11,428' - East Twin Sisters Peak | 11,413' - West Twin Sisters Peak; Directions to Trailhead. The trail was covered with well-packed snow and it can be done in boots. Be sure to start on the trail AT THE SIGN FOR TWIN SISTER (don’t follow the road up as far as it goes, you’ll come to a dead end & have to turn around, Trail was beautiful and saw my first bighorn sheep. This trail is not as great as most inside the main portion of the park, but it is a nice hike. Temperatures will be well below freezing (max -8°C on Sun night, min -14°C on Sat afternoon). Download the free Longs Peak topo map. The Twin Sisters Peaks are mountains in Colorado, located in the Front Range in Larimer County, Colorado, straddling Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest. Twin Sisters Peak Trail. (Days 6-9): Mostly dry. Meeker. The route to Twin Sisters North begins at the summit of Bushnell Peak, so is sequenced with that summit. I personally didn't use spikes but a lot of people that I saw on the trail had them on. Hiking info, trail maps, and trip reports from Twin Sisters (6,014 ft) in Washington. The trailhead starts close to 9,000 ft elevation. The 360 degree views at the top are, We decided to take this hike with a 7 year old, 9 year old, and 13 year old. The north peak has a well beat in path and a beautiful view of Longs, Meeker and the Estes Cone. Meeker. Get panoramic views on this 8-mile hike through the forest. Twin Sisters has … A consistent uphill with many switchbacks, only one in our group had traction- the rest did it in regular boots and hiking poles. The hike to Odessa Lake and onward to Fern Lake is a relatively low-traffic trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Prominence is a popular metric for peaks for two reasons: 1) it’s objective and relatively easy to calculate, and 2) higher prominence peaks are more … Discover the rugged scenery of the Colorado mountains as you weave through small towns and travel over alpine passes. The Twin Sisters trail head parking lot is located 0.5 miles south of the Lily Mountain trail head on CO-7, across the street from Lily Lake, and is about 10 minutes from Estes Lake in Estes Park, Colorado. Twin Sisters is a moderately difficult hike that provides exceptional views of Rocky Mountain National Park and the surrounding areas. Twin Sisters Peak Hike July Jul 21 2018 07:00am - 05:00pm America/Denver. Jul 21 2018 07:00am - 05:00pm America/Denver up a short and manageable snowshoe up was no problem coming... Miles, with 2,516 ft. elevation gain of ~2,340ft the larger talus slope towards the … Sister! 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