Read an Excerpt
ALDERFER/THREE SISTERS PARK
Key At-a-Glance Information
- Distance & Configuration: 2.8-mile figure eight
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Scenery: Open, marshy meadow; boulder fields; forest
- Exposure: Exposed in meadow, shady in other areas
- Traffic: Moderate to heavy
- Trail surface: Dirt, loose rocks
- Hiking time: 1.5 hours
- Driving Distance: 35 miles from the capitol
- Elevation Change: 7,707' at trailhead; 7,740' at highest point; 7,507' at lowest point
- Season: Year-round
- Access: Free; open daily, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
- Wheelchair Access: No
- Maps: At website below; USGS Evergreen and Conifer
- Facilities: Restrooms, picnic table
- Contact: Jefferson County Open Space, 303-271-5925, https://www.jeffco.us/980/Alderfer-Three-Sisters-Park
- Location: Evergreen (west of Denver)
- Comments: Hikers share the trail with mountain bikers and horseback riders, and there may be rock climbers here too. Leashed dogs are welcome.
ALDERFER/THREE SISTERS PARK boasts 1,127 acres of open land. Ever since Evergreen was settled, the four rock formations called Three Sisters and Brother have been landmarks, providing views of the Bear Creek Basin and Mount Evans. Nearly 15 miles of trails lead hikers around the Three Sisters and up to Brother. Ponderosa Sisters Loop is a great way to take a cursory look at this mountain park. This lovely and moderate trail is great for all ages and abilities.
Description
Head out of the parking lot and take a right onto Bluebird Meadow Trail as it curves eastward past an old barn by the trailhead. On your right will be a sign that gives you a nice history of the Alderfer Ranch, which was last owned by the Alderfer family, who bought it in 1945. On their 245 acres they raised Angus cattle, grew vegetables, and boarded horses. In 1977 Jefferson County Open Space bought most of the Alderfer Ranch, and in 2002 it bought a neighboring ranch of 323 acres. An additional 440 acres were purchased in 2004 and added to this recreation area. Many hiking trails have a similar Western history, with layers of human activity and where the land is essentially returned to the people to use collectively.
The trail travels through open meadow, which is grassy and marshlike in early summer, but raised walkways keep hikers out of any muck. In 0.2 mile turn left (north) onto Silver Fox Trail. Even though you are above 7,000 feet in elevation throughout this hike, the elevation gain is minimal—233 feet from the lowest point to the highest—which makes it a relatively easy hike.
Much of this trail is suitable for snowshoeing, and it’s popular with trail runners too. In spring you can look forward to seeing some wildflowers along the trails, and in fall the aspen trees are stunning with their golden leaves against the gray rocks.
Reach the Homestead Trail crossing in 0.3 mile, but for this hike continue straight (northeast) on Silver Fox. (If you’re short on time or with little ones, you can shorten the hike by turning left to do just one loop.)
As the trail curves east through the meadow, you see your first views of the Three Sisters. Pass another Homestead Trail crossing at 0.4 mile, continuing straight (east) on Silver Fox.
In 0.5 mile, at the intersection of Ponderosa and Silver Fox Trails, keep straight (east) on Ponderosa Trail, leaving the meadow for ponderosa pine and woodland forest. Travel 0.1 mile to the intersection of Ponderosa and Sisters Trails. Take a left (north) on Sisters Trail, which is full of loose rocks, sand, and exposed tree roots. The next 1.3 miles are the most difficult of this hike.
Cut straight across the hillside (you will pass Bearberry Trail on the left at 0.75 mile), and prepare for a series of switchbacks that travel between the second and third sisters. Reach a saddle in the trail after the long ascent and look out toward Evergreen Lake on the left and Evergreen High School on the right. After cresting the hill, the hike is a steady and forgiving downhill. Sisters Trail intersects Hidden Fawn Trail 1.5 miles from the trailhead; go right (south) on Sisters Trail. The trail is flanked by quaking aspen trees and low, thick brush.
At the intersection of Ponderosa Trail and Sisters Trail at 1.75 miles, continue straight (west) onto Ponderosa Trail, and climb three distinct switchbacks. The Brother and a turnoff to Brother’s Lookout are to the right (north) in another 0.3 mile, but stay straight on Ponderosa Trail. Pass the familiar intersection of Sisters and Ponderosa Trails at 2 miles, after completing one loop, and continue straight (west) on Ponderosa Trail, retracing some trail. At the intersection of Silver Fox Trail and Homestead Trail at 2.3 miles, take a right (north) on Homestead Trail and follow it as it curves west.
To complete the second loop, follow Homestead Trail around the north side of the rock formation. When I did this hike, I saw a few rock climbers or boulderers in this section. Bouldering is rock climbing done on smaller rocks, without using ropes or harnesses, and this is a popular spot for people to practice.
You will come to the intersection with the Mountain Muhly Trail, on the right, at 2.4 miles; turn left (south) to reach the intersection of Homestead Trail and Bluebird Meadow Trail at 2.5 miles. Take a right (southwest) on Bluebird Meadow Trail. Follow it back into the meadow, where the trail consists of wooden walkways in the wettest portions. Come out at the far end of the parking lot, or continue around the split-rail fence to the trailhead.
Nearby Attractions
Alderfer/Three Sisters Park has 18 hiking trails; for more information, visit www.jeffco.us/980/Alderfer-Three-Sisters-Park.
GPS Trailhead Coordinates N39° 37.257' W105° 21.566'
Directions Take I-70 to Exit 252 for CO 74/Evergreen Parkway. Go south 8 miles on CO 74 to Evergreen, veering left just before the T-intersection at Evergreen Lake. Just past the lake, turn right onto CO 73, go 0.5 mile, then turn right at the stoplight onto Buffalo Park Road. Take Buffalo Park Road 2.3 miles to the trailhead and parking lot on the right, just before the intersection with Le Masters Road. Note that you are going to the West Trailhead (not the East Trailhead) for this hike.
