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13,009 ft · Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Twin Sisters North

Twin Sisters North is a 13,009 ft peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Twin Sisters N by south ridge: 6 mi, 4,725 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Twin Sisters North in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Twin Sisters North at a glance

  • Elevation13,009 ft3,965 m
  • RouteTwin Sisters N by south ridgeClass 2
  • Distance6 mi4,725 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSangre de Cristo RangeColorado

Climbing the Twin Sisters N by south ridge

Twin Sisters North sits in the Sangre de Cristo Range. The usual ascent is Twin Sisters N by south ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 6.65 miles round-trip with roughly 4,725 ft of gain from about 9,140 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 (35–55 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 North

Peaks near Twin Sisters North

  1. Bushnell Peak

    Bushnell Peak

    13,112 ft · 0.8 mi away

  2. Hunts Peak

    Hunts Peak

    13,061 ft · 3.4 mi away

  3. Cottonwood Peak

    Cottonwood Peak

    13,597 ft · 11.9 mi away

  4. Eagle Peak

    Eagle Peak

    13,215 ft · 12.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Twin Sisters North?

Twin Sisters North is 13,009 feet (3,965 m) tall. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado.

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

At 13,009 feet, Twin Sisters North is the 575th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Twin Sisters North?

The Twin Sisters N by south ridge 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 4,725 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Twin Sisters North?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Twin Sisters N by south ridge, covering 6 miles with 4,725 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Twin Sisters North?

The Twin Sisters N by south ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 6 miles with 4,725 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 North?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Twin Sisters North reaches 13,009 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 North?

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 North?

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 North 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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