W0C/FR-184
Twin Sisters Peak
2663 m / 8738 ft
July 13, 2013
First Activation
March 30, 2014
Second Activation

Twin Sisters Peak is a classic SOTA peak, with fabulous panoramic views of the Plains, Foothills, and the high peaks of the Front Range.

The Peak is in Roosevelt National Forest, but it’s partly surrounded by private land. Access is via lightly-used and barely-maintained trails. A topo map is useful to find the trailheads, because they’re not obviously marked. In fact, the sign for the trailhead on Boulder County 4WD road 68J has been removed, and a sign stating “no motor vehicles” is lying out of sight on the ground.

To climb Twin Sisters Peak, drive up curvy Flagstaff Road from Boulder. Follow Flagstaff all the way to a large parking place on a hill east of Gross Reservoir, and park there. There is no legal parking anywhere else along the route to Twin Sisters. Conflicts between local residents, USFS, Denver Water, and visitors have led to the closing of nice picnic areas and parking along Road 68 (Lakeshore Drive). It is OK to walk from the Gross Reservoir parking place along Lakeshore Drive, and the road itself is not posted. Follow Road 68 west along the ridge to the point where it becomes 4WD Road 68J (for “Jeep”), respect posted private land, and continue up the road up to the saddle at 7950 feet, on the ridge south of Twin Sisters.

If you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, it may be possible to drive up road 68J road to the saddle. There is no marked prohibition of parking off the road at that point. Note that Road 68 also may be accessed via Boulder Canyon and Magnolia Road. Road 68 is used by mountain bikers.

Just west of the saddle at 7950 feet, leave the road, and hike north on an unmarked path toward Twin Sisters, just west of the obvious ridge that runs up to the summit. Follow this trail up through open forest – it’s steep in one spot, where it follows old ruts from 4WD vehicles. The trail is easy and pleasant after the steep spot. Near the high point of the ridge, a faint unmarked trail leads west off the main trail toward the summit. This approach to the peak, on its southeast side, requires no rock-climbing. Twin Sisters Peak is a large, elevated granite knob with a breathtaking view for miles in all directions. There are small trees near the top that can be used for HF antenna supports, well within the 75-foot Activation Zone. This site begs to be put on the air. It has pretty good VHF/UHF coverage of the Denver Metro Area, and it’s perfect for HF. It’s a SOTA Classic!

The hike from the parking lot above Gross Reservoir to the Twin Sisters Peak summit is about 3.3 miles each way, with a vertical gain of 1250 feet.

Twin Sisters is totally exposed to wind, weather, and lightning – don’t think of operating there if dark clouds begin to form.

Please don’t confuse W0/FR-184 with W0/FR-037, Twin Sisters Peak East, a much higher peak near Estes Park and Longs Peak.

73

George Carey Fuller
KX0R

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!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers... there are no old-bold mountaineers. Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required - enjoy!