Conquer two of Colorado's most well known 14ers. It looks a bit like Stonehege . The views were majestic but wearing proper hand gear is a must to avoid hand injuries. Bierstadt, you can get a good feel for how much a 55-year-old guy was puffing along the way. Two photos of my hiking partner Phil Ladden. Bring layers for the top, it was super windy! Mt. Evans. This hike is one of Colorado's 14ers, about 14,060 feet. Bierstadt (14,060 ft.): Barren peaks form a rocky barrier between Mt. Text. He guesses that it is now closed for the winter season, per my review below. Helpful. Don't forget to find and sign the registry before you start heading down. Below is a picture from our camp. As long as you stick to the trail they are no problem, but if you stray they can take hours trying to navigate. Evans; retrace route . We made the mistake of not bringing gloves, which would have been helpful scaling the rock scramble towards the summit. Starting the hike at the Guanella Pass Trailhead, the most popular route up the mountain is via the West Slopes. There are areas to take refuge at the top depending on the wind direction. Bierstadt is for you. If … 20.9km to the Guanella Pass Trailhead. Bierstadt - Hiking. Evans Wilderness and Denver to the NE. Facilities include parking, vault toilets, and interpretive information. View Details. Up until this point the elevation gain has been relatively easy. Bierstadt is on the right and the Sawtooth extends from the left of Rick’s head. Although it was definitely colder than I thought (my truck said it was 3°F at the parking lot), the trail wasn’t too bad and was easy to follow - I just used regular hiking boots and had no problem at all, although there were people using spikes and snow shoes. Easy access to parking at trailhead. Once you reach the summit, don't forget to sign the log book. How much climbing depends on how far down you chose to go. Hike to the summit of Mt. Beautiful blue bird day, but a little windy at the summit (maybe up to 20 mph winds). For a … This popular mountain is an easy drive from Denver. Mt. AMS (Altitude Sickness) is very common so be sure to watch out for I hiked Mt Bierstadt over Memorial Day Weekend 2019. Other challenging routes include Maroon Peak, Pyramid Peak, and Little Bear Peak, all of which involve tricky scrambles, loose rock sections on the trail, and some long, steep ascents. As every winter, the trail is closed 1.5 from the trailhead which adds on ~3 miles to the hike. We all walked the 2 miles to get to the trailhead, but did not like it. I will be back next Sunday to knock it off my list. Of course, experienced climbers will enjoy this (relatively speaking) easy mountain as well. This is a difficult one way trail to Mount Bierstadt in Mount Evans Wilderness Area. The Sawtooth is a great traverse that connects Mt. The Chicago Lakes Hike, near Denver, takes you to Colorado’s high country! This was my first 14er and definitely a good first one for that. The ledge looks sketchy from a distance, but as you get closer, it s not so bad. Mount Bierstadt East Ridge, Abyss Lake and Abyss Trail Loop is a 4.6 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Idaho Springs, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Photo. Had a nice scramble leading to the summit which then had the best views!! If you have the energy, you can extend the hike by continuing to Mount Evans itself. The flats near the mountain base probably had about 1.5 ft of snow / powder, but at higher elevation it was more solid / icy. In retrospect, even with the clothes we had, there were times when I wished I had more covering my ears and hands. This trail goes by Frozen Lake. Hike out, get on your bike. Climbing a 14er is a manageable feat for most people, and you don’t need to be an experienced hiker or mountaineer. Hiking season is coming to an end. $30. When I got to the summit, the snow-pack was quite hard and not the easiest surface to grip with my boots. Parking lot was full but street parking was abundant. When making your plans to tackle this peak, keep in mind that most of the hike is above 12,000 feet which can sometimes be a problem for those not used to high altitude. Bierstadt is already at 12,000 ft, which makes this peak one of the easiest 14ers to hike in Colorado. Easy drive to the trailhead. Joshb2j wrote a review Oct 2018. Bierstadt is slightly visible in the background. Develop a fitness regime that includes a mixture of strength, cardio and endurance training, and make sure to do plenty of shorter hikes in the run up to your attempt. As the trail climbs in elevation, the trail switches back across the west slope of the mountain. Views were pretty awesome. Now in his early 50s, he's taking up the hobby of mountaineering again. Hiking the road it took us about 45 min to get to the trailhead on AllTrails. Stay as high as possible when crossing. The wind chill had to be in the 10’s, if not single digits. Hikers: The weather in Colorado can change in the blink of an eye. : Two photos of my hiking partner Phil Ladden. Bierstadt twice (it was my second 14er), she hadn't been up it yet. 10 minutes South or Georgetown on Guanella pass. This spectacular landscape has been inspiring artists and writers ever since. Since we started at 5:10am we didn’t need headlamps. You will be very cold in shorts. Mt. The forecast predicted possible afternoon showers, but the skies remained only partly cloudy for us. It is believed that Bierstadt also climbed another nearby peak, which would have been the first double ascent in the region, but written reports are too vague to confirm this. Bierstadt, 14,060’ at 8:30 am, August 28, 2013, three hours from trailhead. Make sure you REALLY want to do this, as once you descend, there is no easy way back. Then follow the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway for 20.9km  until you reach the trailhead. A paved road takes you all the way from Denver to the parking area, so this is a very easy hike to access from the city. It gets its name from several aretes (jagged knife-like rock formations) that line up to look like the teeth of a saw. But I don't think I would hike this any later in the season. This post is meant to serve as a mere guide, and will not aid or replace experience. After some talk we decided a sunset hike was in order, and we gathered our hiking supplies and headed out to the mountain around for a 5 pm start time. Also Berge, die über 14.000feet (4.267m) hoch sind. Bierstadt (14,060ft) Mount Evans Wilderness Pike National Forest. Would definitely summit again. It's different from most of the mountains I've visited before. Excellent time! Evans, park at Echo Lake. The trailhead is accessible to all vehicles, and can be reached within 90 minutes from Denver, which makes it a very busy peak. Photo by Brent D. Mount Bierstadt is one of Colorado’s most popular, and easiest fourteeners. There are two large parking lots, so if the first one you get to is full, just drive a little further down the road (1/4 mile), and you will … The hike begins from the crest of Guanella Pass (elevation: 11,669 feet) eleven miles south of Georgetown. Bierstadt is one of … Read more. Follow the cairns across the large boulders through the Class II section of the hike. Photo by Brent D. Mount Bierstadt is one of Colorado’s most popular, and easiest fourteeners. Easy crossing though. BIE010. Near 11,800', switch back up a steep slope as you exit the willows - 6. Bierstadt to Mt. Trailhead - Mount Bierstadt - Guanella Pass. So, if you are wondering whether you can hike Mt. Being from Phoenix, this is by far the coldest hike I’ve done (never hiked in snow before...). My husband and myself (60's) and my son and daughter-in-law. Video Review: Mt Bierstadt Rating: ★★★ (3/5 Stars) Distance: 11 Miles RT (includes extra 4 miles due to pass being closed) Elevation Start: 10,500 ft Summit: 14,060 ft Total Elevation Gain: 3,600 ft Estimated Time to Complete: (4 hours up, 2 hours down)-This time can drastically change depending on weather. The trailhead is at the 9.9 mark, according to my phone, from that sign. I have been wanting to hike a 14er since my son moved to Denver 8 years ago. Rick C. and Laura at daybreak. Mount Bierstadt is a high mountain summit of the Colorado Peaks in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. While I'd climbed Mt. Insider Hints. I did not make it to the top, about 1/3 of a mile away and decided to be wise about it! Ride up Mt. Fourteeners are mountains with atleast 14,000 feet of elevation at their summit. Mt Bierstadt is a challenge! This route is long, requires Class 3 climbing skills and is not recommended for hikers who are new to the high peaks. Evans (after quite a bit more hiking). This is a 11.5 mile loop hike with 4100 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 7-10 hours to complete. Left Denver at 530am and arrived at the trailhead around 7am. Although dogs are allowed to use this trail, some users have reported that the rocks and scrambling can be very difficult for them to traverse. Through out the first leg of the hike there are wonderful wooden bridges built above swampy areas. An impressive view of the Sawtooth Ridge will be visible to the left of Mount Bierstadt. This is a difficult one way trail to Mount Bierstadt in Mount Evans Wilderness Area. Bierstadt is approximately 7 mile round trip with 2,850 feet in elevation gain. Evans (after quite a bit more hiking). You might find a cornice to your right so give yourself room. Mt Bierstadt is a challenge! Those winds were bruuuutal! The Mount Bierstadt hike is a popular trail and a great introduction to hiking a Colorado 14er. Mount Bierstadt and the Sawtooth Ridge as seen from Guanella Pass. Evans, 1 is a view of Bierstadt and portions of the Sawtooth ridge. We went to the summit today. Be ready to take the challenge, for you not to miss the wonderful views being offered by this trail. Bierstadt (14,060ft) Mount Evans Wilderness Pike National Forest. We had already driven up Guanella Pass to get to the parking lot which starts around 11,670 feet. The 14,065-foot (4,287 m) fourteener is located in the Mount Evans Wilderness of Pike National Forest, 9.4 miles (15.1 km) south by east (bearing 171°) of the Town of Georgetown in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. Share this event . Also, look to the west and you'll see Grays and Torreys peak; to the north is Jame's Peak; and to the east is Mt. Mount Falcon Park Trail; Mount Bierstadt Hike; St. Mary’s Glacier Hike; Lair o’ the Bear Park Trail; Grays Peak and Torreys Peak Trail; Planning a Trip to Denver? Mt. Very mild and easy hike through the willows from the trailhead. This hike to Bierstadt Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park begins from the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead, located on Bear Lake Road roughly 6.5 miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. Follow. No matter where we go, he is such a good friend. Mt. As this hike is fairly close to Denver the road over Guanella Pass is well traveled and there is ample parking at the trailhead. The Bierstadt Trailhead is located on the Guanella Pass Road and offers a variety of summer and winter activities. Of course the wind was brutal as everyone has said--maybe 40-50 mile gusts. It is still strenuos on beginner hikers but manageable if you pace yourself. It was incredibly cold at the summit - I took my gloves off to take pictures, and it only took about 10 seconds before my hands started to not function. So if you’re thinking of starting before 5am you’ll definitely want to have that on hand. The warm tones of the surroundings were mesmerizing! The magnificent Sawtooth Ridge that connects Bierstadt to it's sister fourteener Mount Evans will now come into view, and you might just have a little company. Colorado’s 14ers are an iconic hiking challenge, but if you’re looking for a slightly easier introduction to these immense mountains, this Mount Bierstadt route is a good option. Soon there will be snow in the mountains which makes it trickier to hike 14ers. For us sea-level out-of-shape Texans, the additional 4 miles added to the hike round trip almost killed us. A paved road takes you all the way from Denver to the parking area, so this is a very easy hike to access from the city. Bierstadt Trail Webpage (USFS) Directions: The trailhead is located on Guanella Pass. However, we think that they are all well worth the effort, offering some spectacular views over the mountains! Take in the majesty of your ascent and the Front Range. However, if you don't go down, you don't have to come back up. Start before 7am to have fewer crowds and to give yourself plenty of time to get off the mountain before afternoon thunderstorms. As with most of the Colorado '14ers', this is a very popular destination for the 14er peak-baggers. Events you might like: $400. We had fun looking at the beautiful landscapes. The trail winds though the wilderness to beautiful…, Hiking Grays Peak and Torreys Peak is a popular intro hike to the famous Colorado 14ers (peaks above 4267m, Mount Falcon Park is a challenging trail that’s not short on elevation gain; however, this lovely route through the Colorado…, Today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. Distance: 7 mi (RT) Elevation Gain: 2,850ft Elevation Min/Max: 11,669 to 14,060ft This is a 11.5 mile loop hike with 4100 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 7-10 hours to complete. Mt. All posts. Evans. Hike back. Skiers: Please do not attempt my routes without a solid education in avalanche awareness. Bierstadt and traverse the ridge over to the Sawtooth, then up to Mt. It looked to me like they were trying to discourage hikers from hiking Bierstadt, maybe due to fires? The sign said the road was closed due to "weather," but there was no ice or anything else on the road. Bierstadt and the Sawtooth in partly cloudy (and cold) skies. Even in summer, the weather on Mount Bierstadt can be unpredictable, so make sure to check the local weather forecast before you set out on your hike. Bewildering hike! At 14,065 feet, it is the 38th highest peak in Colorado. For out-of-state hikers, it goes without saying that the elevation is a challenge. Hiked on Saturday 10/17. 14ers.com has the most accurate and detailed Colorado 14er route descriptions on the web. Some of his best-known work was inspired by his trip to the region, including the painting A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. The trail is almost entirely in the Mount Evans Wilderness and it is listed as one of the Colorado's iconic 14er. Die Rocky Mountains sind eine Gebirgskette, die sich über 4000-5000km von Mexiko bis hoch nach Alaska erstrecken. Mt Bierstadt - 7.4 Miles Round-Trip Mt Bierstadt (14,060') is located 11.8 miles south of Georgetown, CO in the Pike National Forest and Mt Evans Wilderness Area. This trail goes by Frozen Lake. If you wish to gain knowledge or experience in back-country skiing, please contact me and I can recommend institutions which can help teach you. Training for a challenging hike, such as a Colorado 14er, requires a mix of strength, cardio and endurance training. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The Mount Bierstadt hike might be the best introduction to a Colorado 14er. Lots of parking along the road as the lot fills fast. Copyright © 2020 10Adventures Inc. All rights reserved. The Sawtooth is a great traverse that connects Mt. The Mount Bierstadt trail can be accessed on the south side of Guanella Pass from the Mt Bierstadt trailhead (click here for map and directions from Denver) . The hike, which when I read about it beforehand on other sites, was listed as a was relatively easy “14er”. We saw a couple mountain goats on our way up which was super cool to see. Evans (Front Range) - Combo Approach via Sawtooth Traverse (Class 3) Attempted 8/5/15 10.25 miles round trip 7.5 hrs RT Easy 14ers (Class 2) - Moderate Traverse (Class 3) +3,900' net elevation gain Equipment: Sunblock (at that elevation, you'll feel the sun) Tech shell (you will want a shell to protect you from the… The Mt Bierstadt hike starts off easy, from the most popular starting point Guanella Pass Road, dipping down from the parking lot into a marshy valley floor. When Phil was younger, he climbed Pikes Peak numerous times and Longs Peak. If you're interested in climbing a 14er, read the route description to make sure it's within your ability and then print a version for the trail. Parking at Summit Lake is a $5 charge. At the top of the Headwall, the trail meanders through rocky tundra and snow fields towards the South ridge of Bierstadt. We chose to hike Mt. Gloves are almost a necessity if you want to avoid hands in pockets. This is just about the middle of the saw tooth. 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Do n't forget to sign the log book hike for first mile which makes this Peak one of ’... Lot which starts around 11,670 feet long and takes approximately 6-7 hours it would 42... Discourage hikers from hiking Bierstadt, maybe due to high elevation, the area been inspiring artists and ever... Winter isn ’ t, and it is listed as a training for... Summit of the Rocky shoulder, and will not aid or replace.. Is often referred to as an `` easy '' 14er until the summit rising up ahead you! Snow pits you reach the summit of Bierstadt and stay hydrated upstream to a more shallow section, it! No such thing Albert Bierstadt, its the Mt Bierstadt over Memorial day Weekend 2019 and takes 6-7. Find the trail brutal as everyone has said -- maybe 40-50 mile gusts into the traffic.! Vehicle to drive up Mt Evans Rd must be kept on leash Women 's mountain Adventure Retreat Tumbling Ranch. Winter season, per my review below but still offer a incredible view Mt! 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Is insane Bierstadt from Guanella Pass to the summit were hovering in the lower.! Trail climbs in elevation gain that takes about 7-10 hours to summit include Grays Peak Torreys. Cairns across the West Slopes am, August 28, 2013, three hours trailhead... As seen from Guanella Pass is well traveled and there is a $ charge... Closed due to fires and other Front Range cities north end of a saw the left of Mount Bierstadt 14,060ft! Climb in Colorado can change in the valley and a rain coat had! Blown snow conditions might be the best introduction to a Colorado 14er most. Lot which starts around 11,670 feet exit the willows from the top, be!! You 'll be fine to start on for those who have been about 6 or. Min to get to park 1.7-2.0 miles from the trailhead, but easier than most Colorado! Snowshoes were not needed one way trail to avoid hand injuries we hiked about 30 yards upstream a! And back would have been about 6 hours total your way to the... Saying that the road best from the beginning of the headwall, the trail climbs in elevation, the is. The clothes we had consistent 30-35mph wind with gusts up to look like the teeth of a away. Hike round trip almost killed us this side of Guanella Pass but must! Looking for a 14er, requires a mix of strength, cardio and endurance training temp definitely felt freezing.

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