Rocky Mountain National Park: Twin Sisters Hike

Rocky Mountain National Park: Twin Sisters

co

Distance: 3.6 miles

Climb 2,400 feet to twin peaks on Rocky Mountain National Park's east side. Aspen-shaded trails and unobstructed views of Longs Peak are just two rewards of this 7.2-mile out-and-back.

Aspen Tree
Twin Sisters Trailhead
Trail
Longs Peak
Grouse
Above Treeline
Saddle
Longs Peak

Trip Description
Waypoints

TNS001

Location: 40.30639, -105.53676

Park on either side of CO-7 to access Twin Sisters trailhead and begin walking south on the access road.

TNS002

Location: 40.303199, -105.536595

About 0.3 miles from the trailhead, you'll pass another upper parking lot, begin hiking west along the Twin Sisters Trail. The trail is also an access point for hunters; so don't be surprised if you see a few rifles slung over the shoulders of fellow hikers.

TNS003

Location: 40.300064, -105.532178

This hike sits on an eastern extension of Rocky Mountain National Park. You'll cross the park's boundary at mile 1 and continue climbing gradually, weaving through thick pine and aspen with heavy underbrush.

TNS004

Location: 40.295713, -105.533006

Enjoy this break from the trees and the sweeping view of Longs Peak to the southwest. Longs Peak, the highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park (14,259 ft.), is also a hikers' favorite.

TNS005

Location: 40.292475, -105.530603

Begin a series of steep, but manageable switchbacks climbing toward treeline.

TNS006

Location: 40.295285, -105.525768

There are numerous false summits as you wrap about the northern side of Twin Sisters Mountain. Though they may look like high points as you approach them, at this point you're still a few hundred feet below the summit.

TNS007

Location: 40.293309, -105.522258

Expansive views of the Rocky Mountains begin to emerge to the west, but Longs Peak continues to dominate the skyline.

TNS008

Location: 40.292384, -105.521766

Unobstructed 180-degree views to the north emerge as the trail crosses treeline and begins the rugged final climb to the summit.

TNS009

Location: 40.289249, -105.518741

Twin Sisters Peaks sit near 11,430 feet above sea level. From the radio tower, scramble the class 2 rock face to reach both of the peaks.

TNS010

Location: 40.289118, -105.519342

West Summit: Savor impressive 360-degree views of northwestern Colorado and Longs Peak from this 11,413-foot vantage point. Descend back to TNS009 and turn right toward the second summit.

TNS011

Location: 40.288569, -105.517484

East Summit: Take in more views from this 11,428-foot peak. Retrace your route back to the lower parking lot.

Aspen Tree

Location: 40.305124, -105.537071

Aspens dot the approach from the trailhead.

Twin Sisters Trailhead

Location: 40.303127, -105.536513

Trail

Location: 40.298578, -105.532608

The trail passes through thick trees as it climbs.

Longs Peak

Location: 40.29537, -105.53278

Look across the valley to the southwest for this view of snow-covered Longs Peak.

Grouse

Location: 40.293733, -105.52763

Look for wildlife and birds, like this Blue Grouse.

Above Treeline

Location: 40.291835, -105.521107

Treeline in this area is over 11,000 feet above sea level. You'll reach that altitude and have even more stellar views around mile 2.6.

Saddle

Location: 40.288799, -105.517867

Cresting the rocky saddle for the final push to the summit.

Longs Peak

Location: 40.288565, -105.517448

From the summit, there's a spectacular view of Longs Peak and the surrounding mountains and plains.

QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR NEW TRIP PAGES? CLICK HERE.

Subscribe to Backpacker magazine

Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter

PRINT THIS PAGE RSS FEED

Digg Delicious Yahoo Facebook Reddit StumbleUpon Google Newsvine MySpace Twitter

From the Twin Sisters Trailhead begin hiking south along a well-maintained access road. At the circular turnout near mile 0.3, veer left onto the Twin Sisters Trail and immediately begin a gradual ascent through thick spruce and pine. Unobstructed views of Longs Peak unzip at the base of several switchbacks beginning 1.5 miles from the trailhead.

Continue ascending and pay no heed to the false summits looming above. Roughly 2.5 miles into the hike, the trail breaks treeline, and 180-degree views open to the north. Peer 2,000 feet down to Estes Park and the Stanley, an historic (and haunted) hotel.

As you continue climbing, look for a tall radio tower marking the saddle between the east and western summits. From the saddle, access either peak with a quick class 2 scramble to the top. Have a picnic lunch admiring the views before turning back on the same trail.

INFO For information on permits, current trail and camp conditions, and wilderness guidelines, go to nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm

PERMIT A wilderness permit is required for all overnight camping in the backcountry. Reservations accepted ($20 administrative fee for permits during peak season). nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/backcntry_guide.htm

CONTACT Rocky Mountain National Park, (970) 586-1206; nps.gov/romo

-Mapped by Tim Shisler

QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR NEW TRIP PAGES? CLICK HERE.

Subscribe to Backpacker magazine

Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter

PRINT THIS PAGE RSS FEED

Digg Delicious Yahoo Facebook Reddit StumbleUpon Google Newsvine MySpace Twitter

ADD A COMMENT

Related Trails

Rocky Mountain National Park: Balanced Rock via Cow Creek Trail

Trek from a golden, mountain-rimmed valley to a ponderosa and lodgepole forest with towering rock formations on this 8.3-miler in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Beaver Mountain Trail

Thanks to only a little elevation gain, this 7-mile loop offers flatlanders great rewards (big views, wildlife, solitude) without much suffering. Pack plenty of water and sunscreen.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Boulder Brook to Glacier Gorge

Rushing waterfalls, mountainous views, and a healthy dose of altitude highlight this 6.3-mile loop in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Cub Lake Loop

This 5.9-mile loop is great for eager flatlanders who are acclimating to the thin Rocky Mountain air.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake

Tour two mountain lakes en route to Emerald Lake, a picturesque tarn with stunning views of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, on this popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Glacier Gorge to Black Lake

Waterfalls, alpine lakes, and mind-blowing scenery. It's all included on this 9.1-mile out-and-back hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Lily Lake to Sprague Lake Loop

Traverse exposed ridgelines and thick pine forests for postcard views of Rocky Mountain National Park on this 20.6-mile lollipop loop.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Longs Peak via Clark's Arrow and the Keyhole

Climb this iconic summit on an uncrowded sneak route.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Lumpy Ridge Loop

Go counterclockwise on this 10.2-mile loop touring the rocky cliffs and odd-shaped boulders of Lumpy Ridge to an alpine lake and several campsites in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Sky Pond

This 8.1-mile hike skirts wind-scoured lakes and scrambles up the edge of a waterfall before arriving at Sky Pond, where crumbling spires stretch 2,000 feet into the air.

Trip Tools