3 Sisters Hike (the Southern Loop)

Distance: 4 miles round trip
Elevation: 7, 750 ft
Elevation Gain: 789 ft
Dogs: On leash only (Jefferson County Open Space)

The 3 Sisters rock formations seen from the parking lot

The 3 Sisters Park near Evergreen is part of the Jefferson County Open Space system. Its many interlocking trails wind through open fields, Ponderosa Forest, and cool rock formations. The trails themselves are very manicured and can easily be walked in athletic shoes.

Old homestead located at the west trailhead

Starting out counter clockwise on the Ponderosa Trail

On this trip I started out in the west parking lot, walked the short Meadow Trail to the Silver Fox Trail and headed down the Ponderosa Trail. This trail parallels Buffalo Park Road and arrives at 1.1 miles at the eastern parking lot. From there I headed up the Sisters Trail to the saddle of the sisters itself at 1.88 miles.

A less typical trail segment

Approaching the east trailhead

From the Sisters "saddle", I connected again with the Ponderosa Trail and walked back to the Brother's Lookout. Brother's Rock is a large out cropping with stupendous views of Mt. Evans to the west and the Evergreen High School to the south. It is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch and Christmas card photo op.

Starting up the steeper portion of the Sisters Trail. Rocks abound.

A more typical trail segment, in the trees and flat.

From Brother's Rock, I backtracked to the Ponderosa Trail and rather than racing back to the car, detoured on the Silver Fox Trail and Homestead Trail counter clockwise around the large rock pile at the western extent of the park before looping back to the parking area at 3.9 miles.

Pine needles on the trail. In summer they will give off a pleasant aroma.

Standing on Brother's Rock looking at Mt. Evans

Recently, 3 Sisters has added a whole new area of trails to the north. I had an old trail map and had no idea. If you have not visited 3 Sisters in a while, be sure to check the map before you set out because your options have expanded.

A stylized image of the Mt. Evans view

Coming back down into the meadows. The newer trails to the north traverse the hill in the distance.