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Climbing 14ers can be very dangerous, please read the Mountaineering Safety Page and make sure you havea map+compass and can use them effectively, without the help of electronic devices.
Route #1) Mt. Bierstadt - West Slopes
Difficulty: Class 2 Ski: Beginner, D3 / R1 / IIExposure:Summit Elevation: 14,060 feetTrailhead Elevation: 11,669 feetElevation Gain: 2,850 feetRound-trip Length: 7.00 milesTrailhead: Guanella PassCounty Sheriff: Clear Creek: 303-679-2376National Forests: Arapaho, PikeWilderness Area: Mount EvansAuthor: BillMiddlebrookLast Updated: 5/2009
TH: From the north: Take the Georgetown exit off of Interstate 70. Drive through Georgetown and follow the signsfor the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway. Drive 12 miles to the top of Guanella Pass (11,700’) and park in one ofthe two large, paved parking areas on either side of the road. The Bierstadt trail starts near the parking area onthe east side of the road. The upper parking area (on the west side of the pass) has restrooms.From the south: Take US 285 west from Denver or east from Fairplay. Drive to the town of Grant which isabout 12 miles west of Bailey. In Grant, turn north on the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway and drive approx. 13miles to Guanella Pass.
Route: Taken near the trailhead, Photo #1 shows the route to the summit. Photo #2 and Photo #3 show the route froma distance. Hike east down the Bierstadt Trail. There are wooden bridges that have been built recently so youdon't have to walk through all of the muddy sections - Photo #4. The trail weaves through the willows andcrosses Scott Gomer Creek (39.59418 N, -105.69725 W) after over 1/2 mile. The trail has been improved overthe past few years, so ignore the warnings that some guidebooks give about the willows. After crossing thestream, hike about 1/4 mile through the willows on the excellent trail. Photo #5 is the view ahead. At 11,800',the trail begins to climb up a shoulder - Photo #6. You are out of the willows and the trail switchbacks toapproximately 12,300' on the north end of the shoulder (39.59242 N, -105.68461 W). The remaining route isnow visible.
The trail goes left (northeast) and then curves around to the right (south) toward the slope ahead - Photo #7.Gradually gain elevation as you continue south up the shoulder. Reach the base of the steeper slope near13,000' and follow the trail as it climbs south and then southeast. The terrain on the slope is a bit more ruggedand covered with boulders. If there is snow, you may have to make your own trail - just aim for the ridge above(southeast). Do not stray into the steeper terrain to your left (below the summit). Photo #8 looks down on theroute from 13,300'. Reach the top of the ridge (39.5803 N, -105.67276 W) at nearly 13,800'.
The summit isn't visible from here but it's only another 250' of elevation gain. Photo #9 shows the final pitch.Turn left, cross the remainder of the ridge, and begin your climb up through the boulders. This final pitch hassome trail sections when free of snow. Keep climbing until the terrain levels out and stroll a bit further to thesummit (39.582638 N, -105.668610 W) - Photo #10 and Photo #11.
Skiing?: Snow along the summit ridge: Photo #12Skiing off the top: Photo #13, Photo #14Below 14,000', dropping toward the west slopes: Photo #15, Photo #16, Photo #17The west slopes: Photo #18, Photo #19, Photo #20A look back: Photo #21
Notes: When you hike down the Bierstadt Trail into Scott Gomer creek, you lose approximately 200' of elevation. IMPORTANT: This route enters the Mount Evans Wilderness area. Wilderness areas have specialregulations and restrictions for party size, dispersed camping, campfires, etc. Also, dog owners should readthe wilderness information carefully because some wilderness areas prohibit dogs to be off-leash and/or limithow close dogs can be to lakes and streams. If you have questions about the Mount Evans Wilderness area,please contact a U.S. Forest Service office for the National Forest(s) listed above.
Topo map of the route:
Elevation profile:
