Twin Sisters Peaks

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Twin Sisters East Peak
Twin Sisters Peaks, Many Parks Curve Overlook, July 2016.jpg
Twin Sisters Peaks viewed from Trail Ridge Road
Highest point
Elevation 11,433 ft (3,485 m) [1] [2]
Prominence 2,298 ft (700 m) [2]
Isolation 4.36 mi (7.02 km) [2]
Listing Colorado prominent summits
Coordinates 40°17′20″N105°31′06″W / 40.2888732°N 105.5183324°W / 40.2888732; -105.5183324 [3]
Geography
USA Colorado relief location map.svg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Twin Sisters East Peak
Location Rocky Mountain National Park, Larimer County, Colorado, U.S. [3]
Parent range Front Range [2]
Topo map(s) USGS 7.5' topographic map
Longs Peak, Colorado [3]
Climbing
Easiest route hike, scramble
Twin Sisters West Peak
Twin Sisters Peaks
Highest point
Elevation 11,418 ft (3,480 m) [4] [5]
Coordinates 40°17′21″N105°31′10″W / 40.289087°N 105.519385°W / 40.289087; -105.519385 [5]

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.

Contents

History

The mountain was originally known amongst Estes Park locals as Lily Mountain until the name Twin Sisters Peaks was submitted to the Washington Geographic Board on March 7, 1907 by Ellsworth Bethel. The first trail to the summit was constructed in 1914, at the same time the first fire lookout was established at the top by the Forest Service. In 1917, the mountain was officially made part of Rocky Mountain National Park's eastern boundary. Swiss mountaineer Walter Kiener was the first RMNP ranger to operate the fire lookout, serving in this position for five summers. Kiener's presence on the mountain increased visitor traffic and helped to popularize the hike with tourists. In 1936, the trail was reconstructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The ranger station was later razed in 1977, although its remains are still visible on the summit. [6] [7]

During the Colorado front range floods of 2013, the western side of the mountain experienced a large mudslide, which left a large muddy scar and wiped out several switchbacks of the trail. The trail was later re-defined within the scar to allow hiking to resume, but the damage is still visible from afar.

Historical names

See also

References

  1. ↑ The elevation of Twin Sisters East Peak includes an adjustment of +1.388 m (+4.55 ft) from NGVD 29 to NAVD 88.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Twin Sisters Peaks, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Twin Sisters Peaks". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ The elevation of Twin Sisters West Peak includes an adjustment of +1.389 m (+4.56 ft) from NGVD 29 to NAVD 88.
  5. 1 2 "Twin Sisters Peaks-West Peak, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Walter Kiener Will Close Ranger Station on Twin Sisters Monday". The Estes Park Trail. September 6, 1929. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  7. ↑ "The Traditions of Twin Sisters Peaks". The Estes Park Trail. May 27, 1994. Retrieved April 13, 2025.


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