Is it right for you?
Twin Sisters East is the higher of the two Twin Sisters, on the divide south of the South Fork of Mineral Creek. It's usually climbed along with the west summit.
This route goes up Twin Sisters West by its southwest slopes and couloir, then follows the connecting ridge northeast on tundra and rubble. It is Class 2+ overall. Coming down, you can drop east, steep and rocky at first, then on steep tundra, to the low point linking UN 12,584 and UN 12,609 and follow the Hardrock 100 trail back to the road.
The loop is about 6.25 miles with 3,200 feet of gain, ending with a walk up the road to your car. V 7 is a natural add-on from the east side.
Plan of the day
By 6:30 a.m.
Be on the west summit by 11 a.m.
The couloir below the west summit's saddle.
Moderate. Find the saddle between the two 12ers to pick up the trail down.
The South Fork and side streams down low. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,441'…—
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Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Getting there
South Mineral Creek South Fork
From the US 550 junction at the west edge of Silverton, go north on US 550 a little more than 2 miles and turn left (west) on Forest Road 585, the South Mineral Creek road. Coming from Ouray, cross Red Mountain Pass and the turn is on your right before Silverton. The graded dirt road reaches South Mineral Campground and the Ice Lake trailhead lot in about 4.7 miles. Cars can do this part; the last mile is a bit rougher.
Do not turn into the campground. Keep going straight as the road curves left and climbs southwest above it. In just under a mile it gets steep, rocky and slow, and a stock 4WD is the right tool from here; heavy summer traffic keeps wearing it down, so conditions change. Past the trees, the road crosses open, flowery slopes below Fuller Peak.
For the Rico-Silverton trailhead, take the left fork past the Bandora Mine split, through a few mud holes and a shallow ford of the main creek, then through willows to the end of the road in a large meadow at about 10,685 feet, roughly 2.8 miles past the campground.
The campground has about 26 first-come, first-served sites with water and vault toilets. Dispersed camping along Forest Road 585 is allowed only at designated sites, and summer weekends are crowded. The Ice Lake lot is full by dawn on weekends. The meadow at the end of the road has good tent spots.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
South Mineral Creek South Fork. Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →