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13,382 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Twin Sisters West

Twin Sisters West is a 13,382 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Twin Sisters SW Ridge: 3 mi, 2,750 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Twin Sisters West in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Twin Sisters West at a glance

  • Elevation13,382 ft4,078 m
  • RouteTwin Sisters SW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance3 mi2,750 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Twin Sisters SW Ridge

Twin Sisters West sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Twin Sisters SW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 3.8 miles round-trip with roughly 2,750 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 West

Peaks near Twin Sisters West

  1. Twin Sisters East

    Twin Sisters East

    13,441 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 West?

Twin Sisters West is 13,382 feet (4,078 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

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

At 13,382 feet, Twin Sisters West is the 280th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Twin Sisters West?

The Twin Sisters SW Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 3 miles with 2,750 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Twin Sisters West?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the Twin Sisters SW Ridge, covering 3 miles with 2,750 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Twin Sisters West?

The Twin Sisters SW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 3 miles with 2,750 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 West?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Twin Sisters West reaches 13,382 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 West?

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 West?

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 West 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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