The Spirit of the Rockies www.thespiritoftherockies.net

Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Twin Sisters Peaks

Twin Sisters Peaks are on the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, and are accessed by a trail that begins near the Lily Lake Visitor Center. The trail winds through forest, with occasional views to Longs Peak and the Estes Park valley. The summit offers great panoramic views that include the Great Plains and the Continental Divide.

Distance: 3.7 miles one-way Summit elevation: 11,428 feet Trailhead elevation: 9,000 feet Net elevation gain: 2,428 feet Twin Sisters Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest

Longs Peak from Twin Sisters Peaks

Major Trail Landmarks There are no major landmarks along this trail

Principal Destinations Near Twin Sisters Peaks There are no other principal destinations along this trail

Backcountry Campsites Near Twin Sisters Peaks There are no National Park designated backcountry campsites in this area

The former Twin Sisters Trail, which began directly west of the summit in Tahosa Valley, has been abandoned by the National Park Service. To reach the newer Twin Sisters Trail, follow Highway 7 to the Lily Lake area, between mile posts 6 and 7. Turn east at the Lily Lake Visitor Center (across the highway from Lily Lake). Bypass the visitor center and continue on a gravel road as it turns south and heads uphill. After about 0.4 miles, this road deadends at the trailhead. Parking is available along the side of the road on one side only. The trail begins on an abandoned road just uphill from the parking area, at the large trailhead sign. This trail heads in and out of National Park lands as it winds south, then east through numerous switchbacks to timberline. After reaching the summit area, the trail leads past a communications tower and building to one of the high points on the main summit block, at 11,413 feet. This point was formerly the location of a fire lookout building overlooking the Tahosa Valley to the west. The true summit of Twin Sisters (11,428 feet) is not directly accessible by trail, but can be reached by a brief scramble by heading east about 0.1 mile from the communications building.

Sample photographs of the hike to Twin Sisters Peaks

Longs Peak from the trail in autumn

Mummy Range and the trail near timberline

Summit block from timberline

Looking south from the true summit

Twin Sisters Peaks topographic map

Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail or route marked by dashed red line. (NOTE: Some trails on this map are now obsolete.) Map is oriented with north to the top of the map

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All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws. Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.