Sangre de Cristo Range · Colorado 13er · No. 575 of the 13ers
South Ridge from Bushnell Peak
Twin Sisters North, 13,009'
DifficultyClass 2+
Round trip6.65 mi
Elevation gain4,725'
TrailheadBrook Creek
Trailhead elevation9,140'
Conditions on the summit
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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.
Colorado 13er · South Ridge from Bushnell Peak
Overview
Twin Sisters North lies on the crest north of Bushnell Peak, past the lower Twin Sisters South. It is usually climbed with Bushnell from the Brook Creek road.
From Bushnell, you pick through large boulders, cross over the 12,730-foot south summit, and walk a slow ridge of embedded rock and boulders to the top. It is Class 2+. The descent to the west is steep, loose boulders.
The loop with Bushnell is about 6.65 miles with 4,725 feet of gain. The descent route also works as a direct way up.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 6:30 a.m.
Turnaround
Be on Bushnell by 11 a.m.
Crux
Boulders off Bushnell and the steep, loose descent.
Route-finding
Moderate. On the way down, aim for a small stand of trees between two drainages near 11,700 feet.
Water
Brook Creek, about 100 yards south of the road's end. Filter it.
From Villa Grove on US 285, drive north 0.8 mile and turn right on County Road 57, then north 1.6 miles to County Road NN56. (From Poncha Pass, turn left on signed NN56 before Villa Grove and go 0.8 mile east to 57.)
From that junction, follow the graded road north about 3 miles as it jogs east and back north. At a T, go right, then right again right away, then left at the next fork. The road runs northeast beside Raspberry Creek, with camp spots in the cottonwoods.
Turn right on a single track across the creek to a gate (close it behind you); if you reach a house with No Trespassing signs you missed it. Beyond is Forest Road 985: 1.7 very slow miles of rocks and scratchy scrub oak to the road's end near 9,140 feet. It isn't maintained and may be closed, so check with the Rio Grande National Forest. Without a sturdy 4WD, park near Raspberry Creek and walk.
Trail in the treesRoadRidgeTalus and screeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Road's end 9,140' · 0 mi
Walk east up the old road past an old log cabin; fallen trees soon block vehicles.
2
Stream crossings 9,700' · 0.9 mi
The road steepens and crosses the north fork of Brook Creek three times.
3
Leave the road 10,600' · 1.7 mi
About ten switchbacks bring you out of the trees. Near 10,600 feet, climb right along the forest edge, past old stumps.
4
West-southwest ridge 11,400' · 2 mi
About 800 steep feet brings you to the ridge. Turn left (east).
5
Last trees 12,100' · 2.3 mi
Follow grass, tundra and open forest along the crest.
6
Bushnell Peak 13,112' · 2.75 mi
Climb the last 1,000 feet on embedded rock, talus and some tundra. Near the top, move a little right (south) of the rocky crest.
7
Twin Sisters South 12,730' · 3.4 mi
Pick through large boulders down from Bushnell and go over the south summit; contouring west doesn't help.
8
Summit 13,009' · 3.9 mi
Stroll the ridge north over embedded rock and some boulders.
Watch for: Class 2+.
Getting down
Walk back south to just below 12,800 feet and drop west down a very steep slope of teetering boulders. Aim for the small stand of trees between two drainages near 11,700 feet, cross the southern drainage, and head west-southwest to the old road below 11,000 feet. Follow it out.
If things go wrong
The west slopes lead down to the old road, but they are steep and loose.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Above the old road the route is trailless. A flyover only works when there is a set trail to trace. Without one, the line would be a guess, and a guess could send you the wrong way on the mountain. Use the step-by-step route with a good map and GPS track instead.
See the trail on video
No video yet
We haven’t found a good video of this route that matches the way we describe it. The route strip, junctions and 3D flyover show the way in the meantime.
Other routes
Every way up Twin Sisters North we list, with its class.
Twin Sisters N by south ridgethis routeClass 2+ 6.65 mi
This describes the route on a dry summer day. Most 13ers see few people, so there may be no one along behind you. Check recent conditions the week you go, carry a map, tell someone your plan, and turn around when the day tells you to.