Hike Twin Sisters and V7 San Juan National Forest, CO

Oct 02, 2024 — This cluster of Colorado 13ers includes Twin Sisters East, Twin Sisters West, and V7 (aka Vermilion 7 or Peak 13042). The Twin Sisters are a pair of loose scree bumps that seem best approached from their respective east ridges, while V7 is simply a steep tundra slog. Situated among the surrounding peaks near Silverton, the views are spectacular. A web of trails surrounds the plateau containing the summits, including the Colorado Trail on the south side. I could have started from Little Molass Lake to use the Colorado Trail and approach from the south, but I had learned of an unmarked and unnamed trail that approached from the north into Porcupine Creek. After much deliberation, and knowing this might be the only time I'd have a reason to take this mysterious trail, I decided to go for it. Plus, it offered a shorter approach.

County Road 7, leading to the Ice Lakes Trailhead and the South Mineral Campground, was in great shape. The road’s quality beyond this point made it clear that few cars continue farther. It’s about a mile along this road to where I parked at a small pull-out, suitable for a Crossover SUV. I could just make out the muddy, unnamed trail snaking its way up the opposite side of the South Fork of Mineral Creek, and it took me a moment to locate the start of it. Once found, I had no trouble sticking to it. At the time, I found it odd that this trail was not marked on any maps, nor was there a trailhead marker, but I later learned that it is part of the Hard Rock 100 ultramarathon route.

I dropped a couple of hundred feet into the South Fork of Mineral Creek and crossed it via a downed tree, then continued climbing into the forest. The trail was steep and narrow, climbing for about a mile. Eventually, it began to level out as it contoured east. After some slight undulations racking up some vertical gain in order to avoid steeper slopes and a talus field, the trail dipped a bit into Porcupine Creek as it bent south. It then resumed its vertical climb through the drainage, exited the forest, and emerged into a meadowy bowl. Toward the top, the trail wound through a weakness in a cliff band, and I finally got a view of Twin Sisters East. When it became clear that the unnamed trail would veer east, I left it and headed through the sweeping tundra toward the base of my first peak of the day.

I started up the east ridge of Twin Sisters East, which began as a steep grassy slope that gradually became more debris-strewn with a more aggressive incline. By the time I neared the summit ridge, I found myself clawing up loose terrain. Although it wasn’t particularly dangerous, the steepness slowed me as I searched for larger rocks to secure my footing. This section only lasted a couple of hundred feet before a short spurt of Class 2 on more solid rock granted me access to the ridge crest. It was a trivial hike to the top from here, where the views toward Vermilion Peak and adjacent peaks to the north were a colorful spectacle.

I dropped west from Twin Sisters East, encountering two notable Class 2 sections on the way down which that avoided small rock outcroppings. The rest was just a talus descent with a partial social trail. Twin Sisters West was a much more straightforward talus stroll, really just a nice steep hike (low Class 2) to gain my second 13er of the day.

I then backtracked to the saddle between the Sisters and surveyed my intended route, which seemed manageable from here. My goal was to wrap around the south side of Twin Sisters East, but I wasn’t sure how rough the terrain would be. After an initial steep Class 2 descent on loose talus and scree, the terrain eased. I recommend dropping farther down into the small tundra clearing below and then regaining the lost vertical, rather than side-hilling on the loose slope. The terrain becomes sketchier and more eroded the farther you wrap around if staying higher up.

Past the wrap-around of Twin Sisters East, I frolicked through the tundra, making my way up and over Peak 12601. This was a minor lump up steep somewhat tundra that could easily be wrapped around to the north using the unofficial Porcupine Creek Trail if preferred. I dropped off its east slope and regained the unnamed trail here, taking it to the southwestern base of V7. The trail faded, so I just headed up the steep tundra, gaining the south ridge of this peak, which had a faint social trail to the summit. The views from the top were excellent, especially toward Sultan Mountain to the east. I retraced my steps and followed the unnamed trail back.