Twin Sisters Peak Trail
- Physical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
- Technical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
The Twin Sisters Trail is a fun summit hike that gives you a taste of many features of Rocky Mountain National Park. Getting to Twin Sisters Peak will have you hiking through wooded, rocky, and alpine terrain. It is a great hike to see so much of what RMNP has to offer.
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Route Description for Twin Sisters Peak Trail
The hike to Twins Sisters is simple to follow. This hike has no intersections to worry about and the trail is clear throughout. The summit of Twin Sisters gives you a small glimpse of what it might be like to summit Longs Peak and the other peaks in the park without taking a lot of time out of your day.
From the dirt road parking, head through the road closure barrier, up the old road for 91 m. You’ll see the trailhead sign to the left marking the start of the Twin Sisters hike.
For the first 1.6 km, the trail is gradual in incline and easy. Catch your breath at 1.6 km and look through the trees to see Longs Peak looming over in the distance. You’ll cross through a debris field and snow slide area. If you are hiking in the winter, be very mindful of this area.
The trail will start steeply climbing through a dozen or so switch backs. Once you’re 3.6 km into your hike, you’ll pop out of the trees and into the boulder field. The trail is well marked. You’ll see the Twin Sisters ahead, two rocky peaks, identical in height.
After the last set of switchbacks, you’ll be at an intersection between the two sisters. You can climb to the top of both Twin Sisters East Peak or Twin Sisters West Peak. The well-marked trail to the right is easy to see and will take you past a rock building and cell tower to the summit of the western sister. The eastern sister peak is to the left and isn’t as easy to find the trail. Both summits require a little bit of scrambling.
You can see Longs Peak very clearly from the intersection and the summits. This is the diamond face of Longs where rock climbers make route to the summit. Looking to the north you’ll see Estes Park below.
To finish the hike and head back to the trailhead, just retrace your steps back!
Want to find more amazing hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park? Check out Chasm Lake hike, Lake Haiyaha hike or the Sky Pond and Lake of Glass hike.
Insider Hints for Twin Sisters Peak Trail
- Check out Lily Lake just across the road. There’s a short hike around the lake and surrounding hills with lots of wildlife sightings like moose and elk.
- You don’t need a Rocky Mountain park pass for this hike.
Getting to the Twin Sisters Peak Trail Trailhead
From Estes Park, take highway 7 south for about 11.3 km. Turn left onto Serenity Ln. following signs for the Twin Sisters trailhead. Follow the dirt road until it ends and park along the side of the road. There are no restrooms at the Twin Sisters trailhead. You can also park at the base of Serenity Rd., there is a lot, and avoid the parking mess near the trailhead. This is also a good spot to park to use the restrooms across the road at Lily Lake.
Route Information
Twin Sisters Peak Trail Elevation Graph
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