Route Climbed: Sawtooth Date Climbed: July 25, 2005
My friend Jeremy and I slept in our car at the trailhead and headed out at 3 a.m. We hiked by moonlight and arrived at the summit for the sunrise over Evans shortly before 6. The traverse across the Sawtooth was also a lot of fun. We had great weather and didn't see any other hikers, which was amazining considering Bierstadt's popularity and afforded us complete solitude!
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: 1/15/05
Started at 11am hung over and with skis on back. Reached summit around 4pm and tried to ski down. Missed trail down as it was getting dark and ended up going down another route and got lost in the willows. Then the blizzard came. If wasn't for our lab leading us back to the car we may have spent the night in a snow cave. Made it back to the car by 7pm. First Fourteener! Won't make that mistake again!
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: July 9, 2005
Very busy, got a late start (0900) but reached the summit in 1:27. About 30 people on the summit so I didn't hang out long. I had plans for the Sawtooth and due to my late start I wanted to get going. About halfway across the Sawtooth some dark clouds started rolling in and I decided to try to bail off the ridge towards the TH. Bad idea, I got down pretty low but it was sheer cliff after that. I ended up re-summiting Bierstadt and going back the way I came. Ended up getting a bit of snow just before re-summiting so I'm glad I turned back when I did. Good hike, just too many people.
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: June 17, 2000
This was the hike that changed me forever. My first 14er. At the time I thought it was hard, but I learned quickly that this was an easy ascent. Forever, I will remember my virgin summit on Bierstadt.
Route Climbed: Sawtooth Date Climbed: June 23, 2005
After climbing Evans my brother and I took the Sawtooth up to Bierstadt. The climb wasn't too bad but the weather got a bit sketchy on the down climb with the wind really beating the tooth. Overall a pretty fun climb.
Route Climbed: West Slopes, Sawtooth to Evans Date Climbed: 7/13/05
Did Bierstadt and traversed the Sawtooth to Evans. Did it while getting over a stubborn summer cold. LONG DAY! Ended up doing some bushwacking on the way down to Guanella pass Parking lot. Was very ready for a beer and a big ol burger. The Sawtooth is very fun to traverse. I highly reccomend this climb.
Route Climbed: Bierstadt Trail / Guanella Pass Date Climbed: June 22, 2005
Beautiful day, incredible views of not only the nearby peaks but the entire Arkansas Valley and... could that be the Bells on the horizon? Trail was very muddy and wet; creek crossing is on some small tenuous logs, and above about 12,500' the trail devolves into random snowfields and muddy tundra. No need at all for snowshoes but good boots are still necessary. Not a cloud in the sky at our 8:40 summit, but just 90 minutes later as we looked back there was lightning on Evans. Start early!
Route Climbed: South Southeast Ridge w/ Sawtooth Traverse Date Climbed: July 2004
Climbed this ridge from a descent of Evans/Epaulet saddle as recommended by Gerry Roach in his guide book. Some minor scrambling only, then traversed sawtooth to Evans. Fun scrambling, but would be better from Evans to Bierstadt in my opinion: Better views. For some reason I was very fatigued all day, so we hitched a ride from the summit of Evans down to the car at the saddle and didn't feel bad about it. Great route for avoiding the inevitable crowds, we only saw other people on the two summits. Don't believe the hype; a rope would have been serious overkill for this traverse.
Route Climbed: West Slope / Guanella Pass Date Climbed: June 5, 2005
Made it with no problem on June 5 (with cute but out-of-shape golden retriever). Were worried about the storm on June 4 and brought snowshoes, but decided to leave them in the car after looking at the peak. Good decision. We left the trailhead around 7 a.m. with most of the trail frozen and under a dusting of snow -- all melted on the return. Looks like the worst of the storm didn't hit this far south. Still some significant snowfields but mostly hard-packed. Punched through two or three times (thigh-deep) but nothing major. Snowshoes no longer necessary. Willows were fine on the boardwalk / trail but a mud put -- gaitors recommended. More crowded than I expected the day after the storm -- we probably saw about 30 people. Car-to-car time 5 1/2 hours.
Route Climbed: Northwest Route Date Climbed: May-21-2005
Melt off is accelerating... snow fields were still abundant.
Would STRONGLY recommend bringing snowshoes, poles and gaiters. We started hiking the normal Northwest route on Bierstadt... once we gained the first large shoulder on the mountain, we skirted right to the west ridge which was largely clear of snow. We hiked this ridge to the saddle at about 13,600ft. The summit was snowy, but weather was great (60 degrees and a 15-20mph wind). Be careful of cornices on the final approch to the summit from the saddle. Meltoff was swelling a stream crossing in the boggy/willow area, and I got my feet slightly wet on the way up, and soaked my boots on the way back. Prudent route finding across the stream is possible to assure dry feet. Car to Car time (the parking lot is open) took us from 9am to 6pm with a couple of good breaks and lunch. Once again - BRING SNOWSHOES... the hikers that didn't were suffering chronic postholing and didn't have much fun.
hoosierhiker - Aug 2, 2005 9:13 pm
Route Climbed: Sawtooth Date Climbed: July 25, 2005My friend Jeremy and I slept in our car at the trailhead and headed out at 3 a.m. We hiked by moonlight and arrived at the summit for the sunrise over Evans shortly before 6. The traverse across the Sawtooth was also a lot of fun. We had great weather and didn't see any other hikers, which was amazining considering Bierstadt's popularity and afforded us complete solitude!
pjenson05 - Aug 1, 2005 9:49 am
Route Climbed: Bierstadt Trail Date Climbed: July 30, 2005Easist 14er I have done yet. It only took me 1 hour and 20 minutes to the top. This would be a good one if it is your first.
kheatwol - Jul 27, 2005 1:06 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: 1/15/05Started at 11am hung over and with skis on back. Reached summit around 4pm and tried to ski down. Missed trail down as it was getting dark and ended up going down another route and got lost in the willows. Then the blizzard came. If wasn't for our lab leading us back to the car we may have spent the night in a snow cave. Made it back to the car by 7pm. First Fourteener! Won't make that mistake again!
davebobk47 - Jul 27, 2005 10:57 am
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: July 9, 2005Very busy, got a late start (0900) but reached the summit in 1:27. About 30 people on the summit so I didn't hang out long. I had plans for the Sawtooth and due to my late start I wanted to get going. About halfway across the Sawtooth some dark clouds started rolling in and I decided to try to bail off the ridge towards the TH. Bad idea, I got down pretty low but it was sheer cliff after that. I ended up re-summiting Bierstadt and going back the way I came. Ended up getting a bit of snow just before re-summiting so I'm glad I turned back when I did. Good hike, just too many people.
alpine master - Jul 24, 2005 4:25 pm
Route Climbed: West slopes Date Climbed: June 2002Cimbed in combo with Evans
Michael Crofford - Jul 24, 2005 3:20 pm
Route Climbed: West Slopes Date Climbed: July 9th, 2005Violated the "start early" rule. Summited at 4:10pm with great weather...had the whole summit to myself. 2nd CO 14er.
jnoffsinger - Jul 18, 2005 9:56 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: June 17, 2000This was the hike that changed me forever. My first 14er. At the time I thought it was hard, but I learned quickly that this was an easy ascent. Forever, I will remember my virgin summit on Bierstadt.
Genghis Climber - Jul 15, 2005 12:14 am
Route Climbed: Sawtooth Date Climbed: June 23, 2005After climbing Evans my brother and I took the Sawtooth up to Bierstadt. The climb wasn't too bad but the weather got a bit sketchy on the down climb with the wind really beating the tooth. Overall a pretty fun climb.
lilmantis - Jul 15, 2005 12:08 am
Route Climbed: West Slopes, Sawtooth to Evans Date Climbed: 7/13/05Did Bierstadt and traversed the Sawtooth to Evans. Did it while getting over a stubborn summer cold. LONG DAY! Ended up doing some bushwacking on the way down to Guanella pass Parking lot. Was very ready for a beer and a big ol burger. The Sawtooth is very fun to traverse. I highly reccomend this climb.
DudeThatMustHurt - Jul 14, 2005 12:01 pm
Route Climbed: WEST RIDGE Date Climbed: 7-13-05long flippin day, Bierstadt, Sawtooth, Evans, Spalding 5v descent....
doumall - Jul 13, 2005 3:11 pm
Route Climbed: West Slopes Date Climbed: June, 27 200417th 14er!
challengehikes - Jul 8, 2005 8:11 am
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Date Climbed: July 4, 2005Pretty busy on the fourth. Very nice climb
bigwilly - Jul 5, 2005 11:41 pm
Route Climbed: West Slopes/sawtooth Date Climbed: July 4th2005Climbed the trail in two hours, descended the sawtooth in 4.5. Great day and no one once we left the summit. Tons of fun.
keenez01 - Jun 26, 2005 2:33 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Trailhead Date Climbed: 03/16/2002gratefultransplant - Jun 25, 2005 1:40 am
Route Climbed: guanella pass- Date Climbed: 4/26/05awesome hike, but the willows still sucked. way more enjoyable and far less crowded than what you find during the summer months.
djilk - Jun 22, 2005 8:12 pm
Route Climbed: Bierstadt Trail / Guanella Pass Date Climbed: June 22, 2005Beautiful day, incredible views of not only the nearby peaks but the entire Arkansas Valley and... could that be the Bells on the horizon? Trail was very muddy and wet; creek crossing is on some small tenuous logs, and above about 12,500' the trail devolves into random snowfields and muddy tundra. No need at all for snowshoes but good boots are still necessary. Not a cloud in the sky at our 8:40 summit, but just 90 minutes later as we looked back there was lightning on Evans. Start early!
umbra alta - Jun 22, 2005 12:55 pm
Route Climbed: South Southeast Ridge w/ Sawtooth Traverse Date Climbed: July 2004Climbed this ridge from a descent of Evans/Epaulet saddle as recommended by Gerry Roach in his guide book. Some minor scrambling only, then traversed sawtooth to Evans. Fun scrambling, but would be better from Evans to Bierstadt in my opinion: Better views. For some reason I was very fatigued all day, so we hitched a ride from the summit of Evans down to the car at the saddle and didn't feel bad about it. Great route for avoiding the inevitable crowds, we only saw other people on the two summits. Don't believe the hype; a rope would have been serious overkill for this traverse.
mtnsavy - Jun 21, 2005 2:43 am
Route Climbed: Several Routes Date Climbed: Several TimesDo the SE Ridge- flawless pink granite awaits.
Lauren Schmidt - Jun 6, 2005 1:35 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope / Guanella Pass Date Climbed: June 5, 2005Made it with no problem on June 5 (with cute but out-of-shape golden retriever). Were worried about the storm on June 4 and brought snowshoes, but decided to leave them in the car after looking at the peak. Good decision. We left the trailhead around 7 a.m. with most of the trail frozen and under a dusting of snow -- all melted on the return. Looks like the worst of the storm didn't hit this far south. Still some significant snowfields but mostly hard-packed. Punched through two or three times (thigh-deep) but nothing major. Snowshoes no longer necessary. Willows were fine on the boardwalk / trail but a mud put -- gaitors recommended. More crowded than I expected the day after the storm -- we probably saw about 30 people. Car-to-car time 5 1/2 hours.
climber514 - May 21, 2005 11:05 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Route Date Climbed: May-21-2005Melt off is accelerating... snow fields were still abundant.
Would STRONGLY recommend bringing snowshoes, poles and gaiters. We started hiking the normal Northwest route on Bierstadt... once we gained the first large shoulder on the mountain, we skirted right to the west ridge which was largely clear of snow. We hiked this ridge to the saddle at about 13,600ft. The summit was snowy, but weather was great (60 degrees and a 15-20mph wind). Be careful of cornices on the final approch to the summit from the saddle. Meltoff was swelling a stream crossing in the boggy/willow area, and I got my feet slightly wet on the way up, and soaked my boots on the way back. Prudent route finding across the stream is possible to assure dry feet. Car to Car time (the parking lot is open) took us from 9am to 6pm with a couple of good breaks and lunch. Once again - BRING SNOWSHOES... the hikers that didn't were suffering chronic postholing and didn't have much fun.