Mt. Bierstadt Trip Report 07/17/2014

Peak(s):	Mt. Bierstadt - 14,066 feet
Date Posted:	07/17/2014
Date Climbed:	07/10/2014
Author:	C_RANDALL

Bierstadt - Guanella Pass
Ok here is my trip report, hope it is helpful. I live in Kentucky and this was my first Fourteener. I researched the heck out of it and was actually going to do the Grays-Torreys combo but getting to the summer trailhead seemed like too much of a challenge in a rental car. So a good friend in Denver recommended Bierstadt. I crashed at the Super 8 in Georgetown the night before, literally only 4 hours, thanks to a delayed flight on Southwest Airlines from Chicago. It took me about 25 minutes to drive from Georgetown to the Guanella Pass TH east parking lot. At 7:00am there were no parking spaces, had to park along the curb, which surprised me a bit for a week day. I got my stuff together and hit trail at 7:15am. The wooden bridges across the low willow area make this section nice, otherwise it could be pretty muddy. At Scott Gomer Creek there was a log lying across which helped to keep you out of the water but it was a little slippery. Just past the creek I came to a fork in the trail, there was a family just in front of me and they headed left, so I followed. The woman very gratefully explained they were headed to Evans and Bierstadt was to the right, Thank you! I thought I was in pretty good shape, but the elevation and climb really started to get to me. About 8:00am I took a short break, my heart and lungs were both pumping pretty hard. After that point what I generally found were some steeper sections that made you work and then a few flatter sections which allowed you to catch your breath. As it got steeper you were forced to slow down which made the legs work harder but heart and lungs were kept in check. As you near the summit it starts to get pretty rocky requiring a little bit of scrambling. It was really pretty easy as long as you took your time. A few loose rocks here and there; and trail was a bit more fragmented. I didn't take a lot of time to follow the trail but rather just aimed for the summit as it seemed most other people were doing the same. I reached the summit at 9:10am (total 1 hour, 55 minutes). There were maybe a dozen people at the top. There was virtually no wind; I was way over-dressed for this day with long underwear and pants. I had a couple granola bars, some water, took tons of pictures, and enjoyed the views. AT&T cell phone coverage was very spotty. I was able to get out a couple text messages after 3 or 4 attempts. Stayed at the summit for 30 minutes. I started back down at 9:40am. The rocky part at the top took some closer consideration on the way down. I could easily see how someone might twist an ankle or knee. A few areas of loose dirt and rock as trail descends, just watch your steps. I took my time, talking to several people along the way, exchanging great stories. I met two very nice young ladies who let me tag along behind them most of the way, exchanging conversation about our daughters and their obsession with Frozen (seemed appropriate since we were climbing a mountain). Encountered two staunch older ladies, hell bent on enforcing trail etiquette. But the worst thing coming down were the hundreds of kids from three tour buses trying to coming up. No respect for native vegetation or litter. I picked up two empty water bottles and two candy bar wrappers. Back at the parking lot at 11:30am, totally time round trip 4 hours and 15 minutes. Big clouds forming over the mountains now. This is why you get an early start before the storms in the afternoon. Restrooms at parking lot are chemical toilets but not bad. Road back to Georgetown was under repair with paving crews so that delayed me, took 50 minutes to get back to I70. Bierstadt was a very good test for me; I know it is generally considered an easier climb but the elevation really does humble a person. I was way over packed for the day, it was warm. Sunscreen and sun glasses were a must have and easily could have done it in shorts. All-in-all a great experience on my first Fourteener. Thank you Colorado!! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Bierstadt - Guanella Pass

Ok here is my trip report, hope it is helpful. I live in Kentucky and this was my first Fourteener. I researched the heck out of it and was actually going to do the Grays-Torreys combo but getting to the summer trailhead seemed like too much of a challenge in a rental car. So a good friend in Denver recommended Bierstadt. I crashed at the Super 8 in Georgetown the night before, literally only 4 hours, thanks to a delayed flight on Southwest Airlines from Chicago. It took me about 25 minutes to drive from Georgetown to the Guanella Pass TH east parking lot. At 7:00am there were no parking spaces, had to park along the curb, which surprised me a bit for a week day. I got my stuff together and hit trail at 7:15am.

The wooden bridges across the low willow area make this section nice, otherwise it could be pretty muddy. At Scott Gomer Creek there was a log lying across which helped to keep you out of the water but it was a little slippery. Just past the creek I came to a fork in the trail, there was a family just in front of me and they headed left, so I followed. The woman very gratefully explained they were headed to Evans and Bierstadt was to the right, Thank you!

I thought I was in pretty good shape, but the elevation and climb really started to get to me. About 8:00am I took a short break, my heart and lungs were both pumping pretty hard. After that point what I generally found were some steeper sections that made you work and then a few flatter sections which allowed you to catch your breath. As it got steeper you were forced to slow down which made the legs work harder but heart and lungs were kept in check.

As you near the summit it starts to get pretty rocky requiring a little bit of scrambling. It was really pretty easy as long as you took your time. A few loose rocks here and there; and trail was a bit more fragmented. I didn't take a lot of time to follow the trail but rather just aimed for the summit as it seemed most other people were doing the same.

I reached the summit at 9:10am (total 1 hour, 55 minutes). There were maybe a dozen people at the top. There was virtually no wind; I was way over-dressed for this day with long underwear and pants. I had a couple granola bars, some water, took tons of pictures, and enjoyed the views. AT&T cell phone coverage was very spotty. I was able to get out a couple text messages after 3 or 4 attempts. Stayed at the summit for 30 minutes.

I started back down at 9:40am. The rocky part at the top took some closer consideration on the way down. I could easily see how someone might twist an ankle or knee. A few areas of loose dirt and rock as trail descends, just watch your steps. I took my time, talking to several people along the way, exchanging great stories. I met two very nice young ladies who let me tag along behind them most of the way, exchanging conversation about our daughters and their obsession with Frozen (seemed appropriate since we were climbing a mountain). Encountered two staunch older ladies, hell bent on enforcing trail etiquette. But the worst thing coming down were the hundreds of kids from three tour buses trying to coming up. No respect for native vegetation or litter. I picked up two empty water bottles and two candy bar wrappers.

Back at the parking lot at 11:30am, totally time round trip 4 hours and 15 minutes. Big clouds forming over the mountains now. This is why you get an early start before the storms in the afternoon. Restrooms at parking lot are chemical toilets but not bad. Road back to Georgetown was under repair with paving crews so that delayed me, took 50 minutes to get back to I70. Bierstadt was a very good test for me; I know it is generally considered an easier climb but the elevation really does humble a person. I was way over packed for the day, it was warm. Sunscreen and sun glasses were a must have and easily could have done it in shorts. All-in-all a great experience on my first Fourteener. Thank you Colorado!!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

nsaladin	That would of been a bad first experience 7/17/2014 2:15pm If that family hadn't told you they were heading to Evans. It sucks over there in willows. Full of mud, and the hike up is pretty steep and all lose rock and dirt.
cftbq	Congrats on #1 7/19/2014 2:28pm Looks like you learned some great lessons first time out! 1)If you dress for the cold, be sure you can take the stuff off. 2) Easy and close 14ers can be waaay too popular. 3) Going down is harder than going up. Just 53 to go...

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