Twin Peaks

Mona in the alpine tundra, above the tree line.

Today was our big hike.  We decided to go the summit of Twin Sisters, 11,428 feet above sea level.  This was a hike of 7.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 2,400 feet.  This was the first time we started hiking in forest but ended up in alpine tundra above the tree line.  Somewhere between 10,000 and 11,000 feet, trees here won't grow, and it's a stark line where you see trees and where you don't.

For us east coasters who are not accustomed to the thinner air, we have to take a little slower pace in order to not get out of breath.  It's rated a strenuous hike, which it certainly is on the uphill climb, and at our slower pace, we were able to get up and back in about 5 hours.

Long's Peak as seen from the summit of Twin Sisters

The views were tremendous.  We could see Estes Park and Lake Estes, but the the best views were of Longs Peak, the highest mountain in RMNP at 14,259 feet.  The highlight for Mona was seeing a Big Horn Sheep in the wild for the first time.  We've been to various places out west where these sheep live, probably a dozen times or so, but Mona has never seen one.

I suspect we'll find a little more time to hike, but given how our legs feel at the moment, I bet it will be an easier trail.