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13,441 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Twin Sisters East

Twin Sisters East is a 13,441 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Twin Sisters SW Ridges: 6 mi, 3,200 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Twin Sisters East in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Twin Sisters East at a glance

  • Elevation13,441 ft4,096 m
  • RouteTwin Sisters SW RidgesClass 2
  • Distance6 mi3,200 ft gain
  • Time5 – 7 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Twin Sisters SW Ridges

Twin Sisters East sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Twin Sisters SW Ridges, rated Class 2. Plan about 6.25 miles round-trip with roughly 3,200 ft of gain from about 10,700 ft. Expect a rough 4WD approach road. Summer monsoon storms build fast, so start early and be off the summit by early afternoon. Watch for loose rock, route-finding on talus, and brief exposed steps where the terrain steepens. Stats and approach details follow climb13ers.com. Bring layers for cold wind on the summit ridge.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (25–35 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Twin Sisters East

Peaks near Twin Sisters East

  1. Twin Sisters West

    Twin Sisters West

    13,382 ft · 0.0 mi away

  2. Rolling Mtn

    Rolling Mtn

    13,697 ft · 2.1 mi away

  3. Beattie Peak

    Beattie Peak

    13,351 ft · 2.4 mi away

  4. UN 13,302 (near Beattie Peak)

    UN 13,302 (near Beattie Peak)

    13,302 ft · 2.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Twin Sisters East?

Twin Sisters East is 13,441 feet (4,096 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Twin Sisters East rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,441 feet, Twin Sisters East is the 240th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Twin Sisters East?

The Twin Sisters SW Ridges is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 6 miles with 3,200 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Twin Sisters East?

Most people take 5 – 7 hours round trip on the Twin Sisters SW Ridges, covering 6 miles with 3,200 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Twin Sisters East?

The Twin Sisters SW Ridges needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 6 miles with 3,200 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Will you get altitude sickness on Twin Sisters East?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Twin Sisters East reaches 13,441 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

What time should you start hiking Twin Sisters East?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon.

When is the best time to hike Twin Sisters East?

The usual hiking window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Twin Sisters East with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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