Point 13500/Twining Peak

Statistics

Date - 06/09/2025
Elevation - 13,500'/13,711'
Route - South Ridge/South Ridge
Miles - 4.5
Elevation Gain - 2,401'
ACME Mapper - Link
CalTopo - Link
Partners - Not Applicable

Description

Twining Peak is a Bi-Centennial Peak and the 140th tallest mountain in the state of Colorado according to old map elevations. The new LIDAR elevation is ten feet higher at 13,721', and moved the peak from 140th to 138th tallest. The easiest way to hike Twining Peak is from Independence Pass going over the top of Point 13500. Apparently Point 13500 was recalculated at 13,541', which seems like a fairly sizeable difference to me.

I left Independence Pass at 8:05 am and post-holed my way north through unsupportive snow, but this only lasted around 25 minutes before you gain dry ground on the ridge up to Point 13500. After this initial wallowing, I was able to avoid snow for the rest of the hike except for small sections before the summit of the two peaks I reached. I made it to Point 13500 after an hour and 10 minutes at 9:15 am. I only stayed long enough for a couple quick photos and then headed off to Twining Peak.

I made it to the top of Twining Peak at 10:00 am after another 45 minutes of hiking. I took 20 minutes to eat, drink, and enjoy the surrounding views. I reversed my route, but skirted maybe 100' below the summit of Point 13500. I also surveyed the maze of snow near the trailhead to find the path of least resistance, which ended up being a bit farther west than where I started the hike. I was back at Independence Pass at 11:45 am for a car-to-car time of 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Photos