Twin Sisters

Distance: 7.4 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,090 ft  – 11,430 ft
Elevation gain: 2,340 ft
Bathroom at Trailhead: yes across the road at Lilly Lake
Tags: #RMNP, #coloradooutdoors

Twin Sisters viewed from Hwy 7

Twin Sisters on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park is a great trail that has elevation gain, panoramic views, and proximity to the Front Range. Its large rocky summit, with multiple piles of scree, will make you feel like you have climbed a 14er without busting a lung.

Lily Lake, located across the road from the trailhead

While in a mixed forest for most of the way, the trail does have periodic views of the Mt. Meeker, Longs Peak, and Mt. Lady Washington, which are located right across the valley. The density of the trees themselves is thin, which at least creates a sense of airiness. Finally, the entire route is strewn with angular rocks that were coated with chartreuse lichens. They are so bright, you'll be reminded of Graceland. Long live chartreuse.

Longs massif viewed from the trail. From left to right is Mt. Meeker (13,911 ft), Longs Peak (14,255 ft), and Mt. Lady Washington (13,281 ft).

Despite its daunting elevation gain, the route is not difficult. The ascent is accomplished through a long series of switchbacks with few large step-ups. Very little quadricep action is required. Flatlanders in tennis shoes were easily navigating the trail although boots with ankle support will protect you  from the small, angular rocks which can easily cause twists, particularly on the descent.

A typical section of tree "encrusted" trail

Rocks and green turf near treeline

The view from treeline looking towards the summit ridge

There is a very interesting transition near treeline when large twisted rock formations come into view. These formations are bordered by stones jutting out of the turf and by Limber Pines, which have been sculpted by the wind into bent, twisted silhouettes.

Looking back down the trail

Just beyond these trees, there is a portal into the world of sun, wind, and stone. Within the span of two footsteps you suddenly travel from a forested realm into a long bare rock field. You might want to turn around here to make sure the doorway is still there. I half expected to find a dragon perched nearby or at least an ogre or two.

Another shot looking back down the trail

It is 0.75 miles from this transition line to the summit. The views of Estes Park and beyond will make you stumble as you try to navigate the rocks and ogle the view at the same time. A long pitch along the ridge and a series of short switchbacks takes you to a large saddle surrounded by two large domes of scree. The one to the right, next to the park’s radio tower, is where most people end up. The views there of the Longs' massif will boggle the mind.

View of the summit

The summit is a great place to watch clouds form. At one point, directly over the lower dome we could actually see tendrils of air curl and wind their ways upwards only to be consumed by an even larger cloud. I have a theory about Twin Sisters. It has a large, exposed block of scree, and I wonder if the heated rocks provide extra lift near its summit. Even when I have not been on the summit, I have seen large storms form right on top of it. Who knows if this is true, but the wary hiker of Twin Sisters should get an extra early start.

View of the Longs' massif from the summit

If you have the chance to visit this trail, you won’t need your park pass but you might need a few weapons of mass destruction since it does seem to be popular with folks who look like they just stumbled out of the Winnebago. You would think that the altitude gain would deter most of these visitors, but it does not.

Looking northwest from the summit

The trailhead is located on Hwy 7 between Estes Park and Allenspark. There is a parking lot across the road at Lily Lake, which has a bathroom or you can drive directly to the trailhead up a short dirt road. Parking in this lot is more limited.

West Lime Creek

Distance: 4 miles round trip (out of 6 miles possible)
Elevation: 10,000 ft - 10,306 ft
Elevation Gain: 695 ft (cumulative)
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash
Date Hiked: 26 August 2013

West Lime Creek near Silverton Colorado

West Lime Creek in the middle of a San Juan rainstorm is like journeying to the Pacific Northwest. It is wet, primeval, and filled with VW-sized mushrooms. Most of the route traverses the drainage half way up the slope so there are lovely views of the creek below.  On this trip, heavy clouds obscured the peaks in the distance but added to the otherworldly ambiance.

The "10,000 ft" sign indicating where to park.  You won't see this driving from Silverton because of the angle and its location up the slope.

Starting down into the drainage

Initial trail segment

The start of West Lime Creek is located at a sharp swtichback approximately 10 miles south of Silverton Colorado on Highway 550 at a small two-car sized pull off. Even though there is a small green sign with the word's "10,000 ft" that marks the spot, the sign is perched 20 feet above the road and easily missed. As it was there was a car in the middle of pull off with a "gentleman" peeing by the side of the road, all this anatomy exposed for world to see. We were so busy commenting on the bestial nature of some men that we raced by the spot not realizing we had passed the "trailhead".

One of several waterfalls along the route

Crossing the creek

This specimen of Rameria largentil, a yellow "coral" mushroom was found near the creek crossing. While some consider it edible, it is known for its powerful laxative effects.

The trail descends 50 feet or so from the road and the levels out, traversing grass-covered hillsides or stands of Spruce and Fir. At 0.5 miles is small waterfall that can only be seen by grabbing onto trees and hanging percariously over the highly eroded bank.  A few tenths of a mile further on, the trail crosses the stream above the waterfall. A large red arrow painted on a rock by the edge leads the way.

Crossing an open meadow

I took another shot of this Amantia muscaria mushroom with my sunglasses perched easily on top. Witches brew anyone?

This unnamed point at 12,200 ft is visible from several points along the trail.

The San Juans are a wetter mountain range than others in the state and the flora proves it. We came across clumps of Coral Fungi, their bright yellow colonies standing out against all the greenery. Freakishly malevolent Amanita muscaria toadstools covered the forest floor tempting the unwary to lick their poisoness slime. They are easy to identify with their bright red tops, white stems, and white dots. Pine needles covered the trail creating a soft and welcoming journey.

Much of the route in the forest was damp and dripping.  No surprise given the weather, but the flora indicates it is wet much of the time.

This is a close as you can get to this waterfall.

Close up with a zoom lens

We chose West Lime Creek as a way to get some exercise on an other wise very rainy day when hiking above treeline is otherwise not recommended. We wanted to try several smaller hikes and only went 2 miles up the drainage while 3 miles is possible. Right around 2 miles the trails starts to drift to the west opening up views of the Twin Sisters, two rounded 13ers that dominate the skyline.

As the trails curves to the west, the Twin Sisters, two 13,000 ft peaks come into view. The Colorado Trail travels along the ridge ahead, just about treeline.

West Lime Creek is a fascinating trail that anyone visiting Silverton will want to put on their list. It can be done as a break between the harder and more famous Ice Lakes and Highland/Mary Lakes or as a worthwhile destination in its own right.