Twin Sisters' north-south ridgeline runs nearly two miles along Rocky Mountain National Park's east-central boundary. A short but strenuous trail leads to a small saddle between the Twin Sisters and splits up scrambling routes to the respective summits (11,413' and 11,428'). Visitors will enjoy magnificent views of Longs Peak, Mt Meeker, Estes Cone and much of Rocky Mountain National Park's Continental Divide:

The trail climbs over the parking lot on long, steep switchbacks through uniform lodgepole Views of Longs Peak (14,259'), Mt Meeker (13,911'), Powell Peak (13,208'), Taylor Peak (13,153') and Estes Cone (11,006') emerge to the west as you progress.

Look for Mills Glacier in Mills Moraine, a gash in the landscape at the base of Longs Peak's east-facing 'diamond'. Mills Glacier forms the headwaters of Chasm Lake and Roaring Fork River.

Lodgepole are succeeded by spruce and fir as you pass 10,100' (1.7 miles), which become krummholz past 10,600' (2.3 miles). Krummholz - a German word meaning twisted wood - describes the stunted, irregular growth patterns of trees in the ecological transition zone from subalpine forests to alpine tundra. Poor soil, thin air, strong winds, and extreme weather limit growth at these elevations.

The trail crosses treeline on a steep, scree-laden path with your first clear view of the Twin Sisters (3.0 miles : 11,050'). It winds to a small saddle between the east (11,428') and west (11,413') Twin Sisters Peaks (3.45 miles : 11,368'), from which cairn-marked social trails split off through boulders and scree to the individual summits.

The west peak (adjacent to the research station) is more accessible and easily reached. The east peak's route is less obvious, requiring a short but steep scramble up boulders and some loose rock.