Escaping The Nutshell

This landslide occurred on the night of Sept 12, 2013, following heavy rain that started on Sept 9.

2014-08-11 Twin Sisters Landslide

From Lily Lake Visitor Center (8958 ft), hiked up to Twin Sisters Trailhead, then up the trail. The Twin Sisters Trail intersects the landslide at about 9800 feet. Crossed the slide area, then ascended to the break where the landslide initiated.

2014-08-11 Twin Sisters Landslide

The slide started on the trail in the middle of the forest at around elevation 10080 feet. From there, looking down the path of the slide, you can see it split in two above Aspen Lodge (9080 ft), sparing it from total destruction.

Aspen Lodge, by the way, is run by a Taoist priest, and he has plans to build there the first Taoist temple in the United States.

2014-08-11 Twin Sisters Landslide, initial break on trail

Continuing on the trail above the slide, we reached Twin Sisters summit at around 12:06. On the way down, ascended The Crags, where we found our register deposited on Oct 8 2005. The last signing was 2 days ago. The register was about 1/4 full, in the almost 9 years of being there. Following lunch near The Crags, we returned at 15:56.

2014-08-11 Twin Sisters Landslide, with horses and riders

Tracks for entire hike.

Landslide visible on satellite view.

2014-08-11 Elevation profile: Twin Sisters and The Crags from Lily Lake Visitor Center