I live at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains below the Twin Sisters. As the crow flies the long ridges of the two peaks are about 5 miles from my house. The Twin Sisters are the dominant view in the valley surrounding Howard, Colorado. I see the summits daily but have yet to climb them. The winter access to the summits is not the best and spring snow made access more challenging.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-IS4Js7uo_2kDtUeY3e1gSJ-q2Mr63qjmOMR6NTDhmZn3LGe_IVXwynBpyOnFBUmuk_zXBGMUTUxZWabzkTTH1tVvI_CNtfjSqdp-rd2zCqfsiY3QADncB6xG4hyphenhyphen73rSB_KCfRSZEAo/s400/Turkey+Rock+3.10.15+022.jpg) |
The Twin Sisters and surrounding peaks
taken earlier in spring |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgDieBymW4DGvl0tbLE06ZfIiGkIZgTLK-hyGkJTT7g-KmJDKh68Aa1Ubh4YYwHdAV5hyphenhyphenpmwomAiG-NxQhCveRQ3_FhsNyDg48ug3VDpzYqI-QSB_Nyfja19G6sReCtIZldDN79CPH0U/s400/Turkey+Rock+3.10.15+021.jpg) |
Closeup of Twin Sisters from
earlier in spring |
I haven't been above treeline since the middle of May. The late season snow followed by rapid warming has made alpine hiking messy and snow conditions unstable. However, I could see the snow starting to melt quickly the past week and wanted to scout the local alpine area to see how the conditions have been progressing.
Last week, I hiked the Stout Lakes Trail, the trail that leads to the basin between the Twin Sisters. I had no intention of climbing the summits. I was mostly checking the snow conditions in the area while getting some exercise and enjoynig some time outside in nature.
I encountered patchy snow below treeline, but was able to follow the trail to treeline. The biggest problems was runoff turning the trail into a stream in some areas.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tqzJ4odtEN-H2rTLqfY7NDBYZI_SujeB6Oh57H5rYTR8a7c4HaOvGedyXmgoofn3uNHRcg6gcZKRW8WBB58_g9Fgqe3i_OC04WfKzChRIoOHnwcl3WUNmUJaaSsZ_PFUt-eN4X0K3DU/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+002.jpg) |
Stout Creek gushing from runoff and recent heavy rains |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXHkF-A_w2x1QdRAkYdiYqOUfLjTkrj4Br03lCR4tgmFt_e3qTGM8Uwk64bgS-ulrTeBIWzA_KSxgYP92hzrL6QHdQUNI9nB0E7Dp57td9QF1uhsqDNLFlJAkrK1JcAKmkd9sfONpoUo/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+005.jpg) |
Water flowing down the trail was common |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWe0n0GuDSGuK5vO0saPjpB8Aj0y65knKnanWKAAbrINtYTTOOPoWR1Pg0cY_1-xfPgDMh7h3mlNhyNXMgxTRtFramcs2T4JXfD1S1Lesoj7QfY9QHk5A16Oy9DNi97MdencvgegdJ5CU/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+046.jpg) |
Nice section of trail |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWXoH3fjxYP7YiUx96RlVl00aO_hjYUD2-yRCBQKFBImtgWbjEX6DDgnj1-Vbs9zaXSnb-VWwgqWhOOaByzFZv3JddyXoZupsX5qFpLaoQwutBtaxzWX8YgdPKWKGIudA161IhWk7VuU/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+047.jpg) |
Twin Sister North's ridge from below |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIlav6Y2VQg5FVyrqqMBHxnmrlpzbFiUfOW1AVvMrfkNvwYffKNy0KTavVVATy3wEvyclyGt9p2W8uj0bE0fsqJwIgq96wvTNTZ-h7W8INdELsz_Pj_jGLCRgmvI1KneIvfYbMoYjizM/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+048.jpg) |
Closeup of the ridge |
The trail was completely lost at treeline due to deep snow. Above the basin the snow was patchy. While looking uphill contemplating my next step, I spotted some bighorn sheep a couple hundred feet above me. I could see at least one of the herd was a ram with really nice horns. I tried to get a photo but they were too far away for a decent shot. The group of three quickly climbed out of sight, sending rocks down the steep slope as they disappeared.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvWHIVg-1b9niEmwRHYCsSqaipKkyd7H3LPKJ8x3JAWwWMOwafgiuVfVoaL9feg2G4Zhc-y-dWXP9ID_Q9rS88to-Q9Bp-l-GA0YvaVEVDHSOow2V5RCAJrSiv3HD3R3ewnSbHM0cwZY/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+008.jpg) |
The trail ends with heavy snow in the Stout Lakes basin |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClrDBSLtYIQ1aY3utvLW_B22mogqrT_tps8RbMUVmLD6pxq0b5CgN-0UzAIGz_FCuvjR5ysv0yPNC-ZfGViT1iyo9QlGxMoHMoc2SQWoP2LgklIopR0w2ckqnzZ96BVAlVTms8kNUqoM/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+010.jpg) |
The view above from treeline |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JZC0BTA6qZUIwfRsxRsiSdx8SENGDMoi9DjTxAi-lw1Ec4Yz4_WeG6pCoeeYPx8an9mTmn2Eh4TTs7rdRjd7IsvH0WCzN6aP_2UOrx3z_SqrqZituCo95xsnaB21VV0TiTWb9keKmGY/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+009.jpg) |
Looking at the terrain where I spotted the sheep |
Despite seeing many bighorn sheep since moving to Colorado, I haven't seen too many rams, let alone with such a nice set of horns. I decided to climb towards them and try to get a better look at the group. A short scramble up a sketchy cliff band led me to more open terrain. Once in the open, I saw the herd again and a total of four sheep. They watched me before climbing higher. The terrain was a mix of loose talus, scree, and boulders. They moved gracefully over the jumble of rocks while I struggled with the rough footing. I did get close enough a few times to get some more photos however. Eventually the herd ran off and over a ridge before disappearing out of sight. As they got further away, the herd grew as they picked up more sheep. Before they disappeared I counted ten sheep. It was amazing watching them glide over the nasty terrain in minutes while I struggled to find reasonable footing. I could hear rocks tumbling as the herd moved away.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfH5w7AIGtopCxbqoSUDS_Xw0mqKmcviVb3xWYKq7oEFZT9MnX_1mF3XydzXVXq3Swg5LF_b64JIRFCMIr8MLUfR_zDyd2vFb7CdUTfEO1Fg-rRb_EtatRB81UG82f97_RxcFZ64P0YsU/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+013.jpg) |
One of the first shots I got of the sheep |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGXADnp5rmkg3pSwN8aK9qPP5TVqZxdJucUMQjD31XCTlf_PB3q4aGG1Ho-2SvHu0nUVkV95or1O1Glib9T8e0jVsCiHac6yoDmNi7LE1owqEn1RlM26YWYnT_gN8Vh4XHczDVGkTluQ/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+014.jpg) |
Sheep deciding if I'm a threat |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy9IgRamJgoS6b_NC1gNN6o0z95p4tzLL0YzfdqpDmE58LoY5bTA9XmFaB1MRAtQ0DyksukC3gOw2vveNWey9_RzHY3If2NS1Z7VRKOmcD2O8E0LGB4rR7Xp4rzmwVsB0Z6hZcDnAGPs/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+019.jpg) |
Not looking too concerned |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ1of_TSIluxuBtjtI5FQ8egxv-er8HyiU0XPFANIvQN74Zza5ssL0Mj8TZgf971mdvrwZrV-bg29dSlWE_88zcCUsfxxiWdHOL8ZrhI90F2WcrV4opwU4E11GQoydEIEMSk-vdzFVG4/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+021.jpg) |
Checking me out as I got closer |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuvIDWKSDk5mnbDflL9ejhn6ZssmKpV1VYG-OmKa0mGrYfHufrCVx7BBoox_1AMQBY9OM27MugWHFGdDq_oRJFOQbEYZZF-3pv7Id08sYKxaLW4nJmRKn1qsiB-dS9Nfp9avVMw-55Hc/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+023.jpg) |
As they got further away, they
seemed less concerned with me again |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqZLh6OzFJ09v-78FKzmpSohj7MveHSJE2NrgJr_d8PsbDu_FiocB6f4iyRFbe_1uOoJoV3stbBzkWqheMJaScLOzEhzNHWD4zsvuRrgwZRz3QY44ax3Q2w4cjeT-v0Ptg4f78D0jNe4/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+027.jpg) |
Apparently they were relaxed enough to eat
even though I was fairly close |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsaGKE13xdNsYPTm9YVi740_UKs2bvb-ABUdh-CpvHkGvqJL4sS84veMGPd02sj2K-_shBmB2IYwUpOvWRyq9TUI-qza-n16bHFMtBIM8mdpVB-suR4oNLER9i9R2zdUsa3aoHcwKtYA/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+025.jpg) |
This was my favorite shot of the sheep. The
ram in the front is almost posing for me. |
Since I gained a fair amount of elevation following the sheep, I decided to climb the rest of the slope to the ridge above me. This was the ridge of Twin Sister North. I reached the ridge and followed it to dominant point that is visible from the valley below. There was a brief section of tundra but generally the climb continued over rough rock. This ridge had a fair amount of snow on it still. The temperature was fairly warm but I was able to bareboot with minimal postholing.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoZyB7a6GVkc1ogvoIsNFHJbbGts56Lblt6nm7r5hqh-GCu_S94z-U2fsA1WLK6Y8l930DDfBnEsff4xsB3ywgHdLktv19rNsJGXxxxKn3Tf16jntP9VQvmG4F0Nrz6cGgKun7-YCFr0/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+030.jpg) |
Looking toward Twin Sister South's ridge |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62fyf2VgqHgmAehoGl-s425CoW_X2QpoDHP3Ca1i8CNklCCOeWKF16yOFjMJwvdMcS0_Ah0qdTUxB7-Pt_Fx02QkfM0_NWsSG_FrxAyyKDUfOdHBeXS_T8hfwKiR5HN85Ye0-9VTZ2W0/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+032.jpg) |
Plenty of scree and talus |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEl8GzafEQCh8pXn25ge3qLorwSSylVS_5JnqtRpvSNsG3J1OPBGj3LRmy9n1PZ1XBPuJp2FCOxwgIqerIvzZaJNzfsB8ZgZfnw-hfAfntAuluZ81LxiMZzCWfTOuYUmylTDAMiWodD8/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+031.jpg) |
Looking toward the Cottonwood group |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL2amVSoMOO4De8FRUR7NUbX6ZUUibpFiZCLw1CJNj4ghHaxoSplvvYpJci5Jklzu6fwtr8C_AI4BroefUyWZZDR3z17FKTQ9UfdZ0luDwStiAYRFdED1RzdO0msQOzkaRd9qhro2c9A/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+037.jpg) |
Heading toward the false summit of Twin Sister North |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHk7npdJMpfm4fcOmQ9Jgjo7U-XoSazyaefZhyphenhyphenybd-O4uIxDa8iHjE6d878nukF1Phm_sRCRR7coMFyHcCwuJOA4E3ODvQtse0-EQ5LedZNu9EF3-2S0nENqbRUlNbCgwEYHyIBn-qW4U/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+035.jpg) |
Looking down the ridge toward Howard and Coaldale area. |
There was still some distance to the actual summit. There wasn't much elevation gain along the ridge but the ridgeline traverse still had a fair amount of snow and was quite rocky. I had some some obligations later in the day so I turned around at the false summit. I figured it would have been an extra hour or more to reach to summit and I was already running short on time after watching and following the sheep.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTCPPifFpY7niD8sS2-P0uKrofymParkq-1E-mI0-Rvw6c_jM-rn8Rh49nHz653Uo6e9wyQIUDLW-iQiRC7J707gAntsrJi-bGn3xpVleX3cq4Q-p0ZGyJ8-rVxNeKs-3B6qeBC2p3zg/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+038.jpg) |
The ridge to Twin Sister North's summit |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibav61_9IWU1AEwiuKknaarrZvmgPi1SeULW_B8a7MrsDeodoz2mR5Kb8UXp7wiUxb4XKWY7OibCtREIRFR2bxIWq6nlTpsU5um6D2RxgAidjhZIWFG-k_ZiA9Iro66ayTtTGqeclkfmw/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+040.jpg) |
Closeup of the Cottonwood group with the rest of the
Sangre de Cristos beyond. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NZ1jW-hImbFkTXMfXC37Dq1J8RgaT6vxIoZ40PKIIfmy4bn_qTY2hjGDRD6eR0GowPhCwLIGJAKJBzlNz0z-IeXLBcieeoRyZhX7wR4HIHE0s0pGEealLUaHzutfQNKfBLe-zP0HHV4/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+041.jpg) |
Looking over Twin Sister South with Bushnell Peak behind it. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzsH9B9s1bqUupp5izk01-ZdiQR19p34vya7ztP84r1V1v8aOfTmlGy7EqTd8hEEfp-hV-6AYmphMsWcvdLk9vCq6O6lfIQY1zxRwfySxPUA6NYyYtiiW253s2xfkj5RCpkHT_Gx5sLQ/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+043.jpg) |
Looking north over Red Mountain. Hunts Peak is the pointy
peak behind it and the Sawatch Range in the distance. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRxD7WEKUXEMkBi-6t2ZCzF5hlUn-ISqUBUdkVNBz0UScse1HymSi_PF5pfR3DURGyEqJQIaCxhg9jacKp8grd-m0zAIRdks3Ci0E_pxa0e2s3CA-oXewdSL5rGHFMSYYACiaxXqaYjU/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+044.jpg) |
The Sawatch Range in the distance |
With the excellent sheep sighting I got much more out of the hike than I had hoped. I did get to enjoy some time above treeline for the first time in nearly a month as well. I'm hoping to return soon to climb Bushnell Peak and both Twin Sisters when the snow has melted a little more.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEcfBYbrnzyJd7sTqxKK9lxjiDm3JP31MMSCQnrs3kq0Hu0sVYObi1dJGBdU61ONmZ4lWIrp5tAH45OjO_-MpGNtimSoHRGUOCQgNHvhT2u8C1OsLx-zq-NeBMxkCcj9QmHXR_Wtm4rs/s400/Stout+Creek+Basin+6.8.15+045.jpg) |
The nasty descent back into the basin |
After the hike however, I had a mishap. When I reached my car, I took off my pack. My camera, which I keep on my hipbelt, fell to the ground in the process. I didn't realize I dropped my camera and started driving. After a mile or so I realized I was missing my camera. I returned to the trailhead and saw my camera on the ground. Unfortunately, as I backed up to leave, I ran over my camera. The screen was cracked enough that most of the screen was blank. Surprisingly it still takes pictures, I just can't see the screen to know what is in view. Luckily, I was still able to get the photos from it that are in this post.
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