Difficulty: Experts Only ♦︎♦︎
Length: 7.5 miles (closer to 10 if you choose not to ride the tram down)
Elevation Gain: 4,200 feet
Dog Friendly: No
Trailhead coordinates (copy + paste): 40.5819, -111.6507
Directions: Follow the coordinates up Little Cottonwood Canyon to East Bypass Road, passing Snowbird's Cliff Lodge. Upon arriving at the coordinates, you will see dozens of parking stalls along the edge of the road where it curves around. Park here and follow the Blackjack Trail up Peruvian Gulch and then along the ridge to the top of the Aerial Tram.
Rising to an elevation of 11,490 feet, American Fork Twin Peaks are the highest peaks in Salt Lake County (not to be confused with nearby Broads Fork Twin Peaks). This really feels like two hikes in one. First, you hike Peruvian Gulch which is an achievement in and of itself—a wildflower-lined trail with beautiful views of Little Cottonwood Canyon and the Salt Lake Valley. Part one concludes when you reach the top of Snowbird's Aerial Tram, a great place to rest, refuel and refill your water for part two. Once you're ready to continue, walk down the gravel hill and straight forward up the trail on the ridge—it feels a bit weird, but yes, this is where you are supposed to be going. Scramble on the exposed ridge for a long, slow mile. Due to the loose rocks and sudden cliffs on either side, this is not a place to rush and definitely considered a no-fall zone. Don't choose this as your first-ever scramble, it feels scarier than other similar peaks. Push onward to the summit of East Twin. From here it's an easy 5 minute walk to West Twin. After taking in views of American Fork Canyon and Mount Timpanogos you'll be back down to the top of the tram in an hour or so, where you can save your knees by taking the free ride back to the base. Note: even if your dog can rock climb, it will have to stay home for this one. No dogs allowed in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
