Mt Bierstadt

Mt Bierstadt
Elevation: 14,060 ft
Rank: 38th

Bierstadt and Quandary are almost surely the most popular winter 14ers in the United States.


Albert Bierstadt was a German-born American, Hudson River School Painter, 1830-1902.Bierstadt was a very good, if not the best American landscape painter.
You can see many of his paintings here: http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/glenda/bierstadt/bierstadt.html

Mt. Evans was once named Mt. Rosalie. Rosalie was Bierstadt's wife.

Location:
Bierstadt is in the Mount Evans Wilderness 2 miles west of Mt. Evans (14,264'). It can be seen by taking Guanella Pass from Georgetown (from the north - Interstate 70) or Grant (from the south - U.S. 285) or from the Colorado 5 that snakes to the top of Mt. Evans.
Nearby Towns:
Georgetown, Idaho Springs, and Grant





The Standard Route is, as follows:

Mt. Bierstadt - Via the Mt. Bierstadt Trail
Class 2
Elevation gain: 2,850 ft
Length of trail: 7.0 miles round-trip




Trailhead:
Take the Georgetown exit off of Interstate 70. Drive through Georgetown and follow the signs for the Guanella Pass scenic byway through Georgetown. Drive 12 miles to the top of Guanella Pass (11,700')



and park in one of the two large, paved parking areas on either side of the road.

Mt. Bierstadt and The Sawtooth fill the view to the east.

The Bierstadt trail starts near the parking area on the east side of the road. The upper parking area (on the west side of the pass) has restrooms.



Hike east down the Bierstadt Trail. There are wooden bridges that have been built recently so you don't have to walk through all of the muddy sections.

The trail weaves through the willows and crosses Scott Gomer creek after over 1/2 mile. The trail has been improved over the past few years, so ignore the warnings that some guidebooks give about the willows. After crossing the stream, hike about 1/4 mile through the willows on the excellent trail.

At 11,800', the trail begins to climb up a shoulder. You are out of the willows and the trail switchbacks to approximately 12,300' on the north end of the shoulder. The remaining route is now visible. The trail goes left (northeast) and then curves around to the right (south) toward the slope ahead. Gradually gain elevation as you continue south up the shoulder. Reach the base of the steeper slope near 13,000' and follow the trail as it climbs south and then southeast. The terrain on the slope is a bit more rugged and 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). Reach the top of the ridge at nearly 13,800'. The summit isn't visible from here but it's only another 250' of elevation gain.

This shows the final pitch.

Turn left, cross the remainder of the ridge, and begin your climb up through the boulders. This final pitch has some trail sections when free of snow. Keep climbing until the terrain levels out and stroll a bit further to the summit.

Use this link for more details: http://www.14ers.com/routelist.php?peak=Mt.%20Bierstadt

You can check out some of the trip reports for this hike (The first one is the best):

http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=6627&parmuser=Jessie_s+Dad&cpgm=tripuser

http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=3137&parmpeak=Mt.+Bierstadt&start=75&cpgm=tripmain
From 'yorkKids' (5 years old) hike:
http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=3482&parmpeak=Mt.+Bierstadt&start=75&cpgm=tripmain
Another one:
http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=2647&parmpeak=Mt.+Bierstadt&start=100&cpgm=tripmain
And again:
http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=2738&parmpeak=Mt.+Bierstadt&start=100&cpgm=tripmain

The 'Sawtooth' between Mt. Bierstadt and Mt. Evans:

Panorama view (Click to enlarge):

Quick Facts:

Rank: 38 of 53
Elevation: 14,060'
Range: Front
County: Clear Creek
Lat/Long: 39º 34' 58" N, 105º 40' 05" W
-
Location:
Bierstadt is in the Mount Evans Wilderness 2 miles west of Mt. Evans (14,264'). It can be seen by taking Guanella Pass from Georgetown (from the north - Interstate 70) or Grant (from the south - U.S. 285) or from the Colorado 5 that snakes to the top of Mt. Evans.
Nearby Towns: Georgetown, Idaho Springs, and Grant
Nearby 14ers: Mt. Evans
History:
-
Maps: USGS Quads: Mt. EvansTrails Illustrated: #104
Road Access: 2WD The Guanella Pass Road (mostly dirt) reaches Guanella Pass at 11,600' - west of Mt. Bierstadt and Mt. Evans.2WD The Mt. Evans Road (Colorado 5 - paved) goes to 150' below the summit of Mt. Evans. (Detailed trailhead directions and status)
Hiking Info:
Via the Mt. Bierstadt Trail
Difficulty: Class 2
Trailhead: Guanella Pass
Trailhead Elev.: 11,669 feet
Elevation Gain: 2,850 feet
Trip Length: 7 miles
Trail to summit: Almost
Stability: Stable
Exposure: 1
Crowds: Heavy
Fees: None
Camping: Campground below the trailhead on the Guanella Pass road. Dispersed camping possible in Scott Gomer Creek.