Twin Peaks - #207 - The Old Twin Peaks Trail

TRAILHEAD:

Park on Oak Street near Queen Street or in the limited parking space at the intersection of Queen Street and South Pinecrest Drive. Go through that intersection; the road curves to the right as you pass the house on your left. The trail takes off to the right just before a gate.

The trail from just beyond the overlook to its intersection with the Silvershield trail was re-opened in the spring of 2004 by the Ouray Trail Group in cooperation with the USFS. Nearly 550 man-hours were needed to complete the trail, which had been obliterated by a rock slide in the mid '80s. Around 300 steps were placed using rock, logs and 4x4s, and 607 feet of cribbing was placed to help hold the trail in this very steep gorge.

ATTRACTIONS AND FEATURES:

In 20 minutes this trail takes you up to an overlook, guarded by a fence, where the trail turns to go into the Oak Creek Gorge. Views are of Ouray, the Amphitheater, Mt. Abram and Hayden Mountain around to the deep gorge of the cascading creek and cliffs towering upward to Twin Peaks. The trail continues for 200 yards along the steep cliffs to another gorge to the right, where the steep climb begins. It is 1.2 miles from the trailhead to the intersection with the Silvershield. Upon reaching the intersection, proceed uphill about 20 yards to the left to the Twin Peaks trail intersection.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS:

The trail has steep pitches which require caution, particularly when going downhill. Beyond the overlook, the drop-offs to the creek are intimidating to some people and unsafe for children. The climb is extremely steep to its intersection with the Silvershield trail. It is recommended that one returns to Ouray via either the Silvershield or Oak Creek trail.