Mt. Bierstadt Trip Report 06/20/2009

Peak(s):	Mt. Bierstadt - 14,066 feet
Date Posted:	06/20/2009
Modified:	06/21/2009
Date Climbed:	06/20/2009
Author:	mwb

Bierstadt - Western Slope
I've not posted a trip report as of yet so I thought I'd give it a shot. I hiked Bierstadt today with a group of 6. We left the parking area at 6:20 AM and were not too optimistic based on what we saw. But we had driven from Monument so thought what the heck lets give it a shot. The water is up in the creek and it was tough not to get a little wet. But with all the snow at the top don't worry about getting a little wet here. The snow will take care of that later. If you have gaiters wear them. The lower trail was not too bad. Of course the board walks help a lot. Once you are past the board walks there are some muddy areas. They are not to bad early but later in the morning they can be pretty messy. Once you get to approximately 12,300' or so (my best guess) you have snow to deal with all the way to the top. Forget about the trail as it is nowhere in sight. The cloud cover was low so we did not see many views. Follow the foot prints which will basically take you straight up to the ridge. The closer to the top you get the deeper the snow gets. Of course the summit is completely covered in snow. (A lot different than when I hiked it a few years back in August) The first of our group arrived at the summit in 2 hours 40 minutes. The last arrived in 3 hours 40 minutes. We decided we had enough fun for one day and got back to the car pretty quickly. (1 hour 45 minutes) Glissading is definitely possible for a bit at the top. Poles are helpful as well. Here's a shot of Bierstadt from the car as we were about to leave. I suggest if you want to hike it in the near future start as early as possible so the snow will not be too soft. We came up Guanella Pass from the south so we did not have to deal with the road closure. The snow obviously made the hike a little more difficult than it would normally be. And it would have been better without the cloud cover. But as I've heard said, "Any day in the mountains is a good day!" Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Bierstadt - Western Slope

I've not posted a trip report as of yet so I thought I'd give it a shot. I hiked Bierstadt today with a group of 6. We left the parking area at 6:20 AM and were not too optimistic based on what we saw. But we had driven from Monument so thought what the heck lets give it a shot.

The water is up in the creek and it was tough not to get a little wet. But with all the snow at the top don't worry about getting a little wet here. The snow will take care of that later. If you have gaiters wear them.

The lower trail was not too bad. Of course the board walks help a lot. Once you are past the board walks there are some muddy areas. They are not to bad early but later in the morning they can be pretty messy.

Once you get to approximately 12,300' or so (my best guess) you have snow to deal with all the way to the top. Forget about the trail as it is nowhere in sight. The cloud cover was low so we did not see many views.

Follow the foot prints which will basically take you straight up to the ridge. The closer to the top you get the deeper the snow gets.

Of course the summit is completely covered in snow. (A lot different than when I hiked it a few years back in August) The first of our group arrived at the summit in 2 hours 40 minutes. The last arrived in 3 hours 40 minutes.

We decided we had enough fun for one day and got back to the car pretty quickly. (1 hour 45 minutes) Glissading is definitely possible for a bit at the top. Poles are helpful as well. Here's a shot of Bierstadt from the car as we were about to leave.

I suggest if you want to hike it in the near future start as early as possible so the snow will not be too soft. We came up Guanella Pass from the south so we did not have to deal with the road closure. The snow obviously made the hike a little more difficult than it would normally be. And it would have been better without the cloud cover. But as I've heard said, "Any day in the mountains is a good day!"

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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