Elevation: 14,065
Elevation Gain: 2,850 ft
Mileage: 7.3
Trailhead location: Guanella Pass
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Mount Bierstadt became my first 14er that I completed. It was my second attempt at a 14er and first success. The first attempt I will get to in another post. Since I was defeated in my first attempt, but I still had motivation left in me to complete a 14er this season, I researched the easiest ones to climb. Mount Bierstadt is within pretty close driving distance, it has a paved road all the way to the trailhead and it's mileage and elevation gain seemed do-able. I should note that there are a handful of "easy" 14-ers to choose from, but not all of them have paved roads and my car unfortunately isn't the best for getting to rough trailheads...so my choice was pretty easy to pick.
I decided on this hike the day before, checking the weather often. Because I haven't done much hiking at such great heights, I had some fear before setting out and thoughts of ehh maybe I should hold off to next year. But the hiking season for 14-ers is so short and who knows where I will be in the future. It's best to grab an opportunity when it's present. So I set off early the next morning with about an hour and 45 minute drive. I got to the trailhead around 7am. It's really best to start earlier if you're able to set up camp the night before nearby due to afternoon thunderstorms. The parking lot is decent sized, but expect it to be full on weekends. The great thing about this trailhead is also that there's plenty of parking alongside the road. Let's set off...
You'll get to drive through the cute and tiny town of Georgetown. There's also a nice visitor center with restrooms as soon as you get off the highway that I'd recommend stopping in before heading up to the pass.
All these Colorado early risers...wow 7 am
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| Trailhead sign |
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| Sign leading the way |
Soon after starting, you'll enter the Mount Evans Wilderness area.
The trail starts out very easy with some short spurts of boardwalks. I love boardwalks.
You will come across a small stream crossing around here.
A beautiful view of the lake.
The trail is pretty flat for a good distance and lets you get a good warm up. You'll then start a climb up through some green shrubbery with switchbacks, until reaching a point above treeline.
I took a good rest here above treeline where I first started feeling the effects of high altitude. I believe this is around 12,600 ft. From what I learned from hiking at altitude is to make sure you drink enough water. So I took as many breaks as I felt needed for the rest of the way up and it helped in succeeding
this time.
It is important to watch the skies for darkening clouds and know when to turn around. So far the skies were still looking great so I continued on. Mount Bierstadt looks amazingly close in the below photo. We are almost there.
The last bit of climbing to the top is all rocks and involves somewhat of a find your own route to scramble up. I don't mind this. The hardest part is over after the steep hiking.
Climb, Climb, Climb and search the top until you see the official medallian.
We've made it to the summit! People tend to leave their signs up here, which is useful if you forgot one, but unnecessary.
My own sign. (Paper is lighter than cardboard.)
Summit photo.
Here are some photos looking out towards the world from the top of 14,065 ft.
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| Random person on rock |
The summit was pretty crowded. There were a lot of first timers today as this is a popular 14er for beginners. It is said to be "easier" not "easy. It's an important clarification. Because this was a pretty difficult climb for an average hike. I would say the trail difficulty was about the same as climbing twin sisters in rocky mountain national park, but because of the higher elevation it made it more difficult.
I stayed on the summit for a pretty long time as the weather was nice and clear and I wanted to appreciate being up there as it's a rare opportunity to have.
I headed back down just in time as a cloud hovered over the top.
The way down went a lot quicker with fewer breaks. Most people were on their way down if not already and only a brave few were just starting to head up now.
The sawtooth above links to Mount Evans. It's possible to hike both 14ers if you want to scale the sawtooth.
The morning sun had sent a glare over the mountains on the way up, but now, on the way down, the views looking back towards where I just climbed were crisp and clear with landscapes I've only seen in photographs and daydreams.
I stopped several times to take the views in and thought I can't believe how beautiful this all looks.
As I descended more, the afternoon clouds started to roll in. The first rain drop didn't fall on me until I was close to the parking area near the lake below.
Back to the flatlands.
The lake now had a gray tone, much different than from when I started. You can see how the weather changes from morning to afternoon in the mountains and why everyone starts hiking so early.
Back to the beginning.
Trail stats for the way down.
This was a great hike and if you wanted to, you could just hike a little ways and not to the summit and still get great views. I'd agree with the recommendations for a good beginner 14-er. It's an enjoyable hike, just go prepared.
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