Route Climbed: western slope from guenella pass Date Climbed: December 11, 2005
I was just planning on snowshoeing in the area but was suprised at how little snow there was on the mountain and I had the time so I decided to go for the summit! I saw a few people down low but had the summit all to myself. There was a bit of snow down low, not enough to cover the willows but enought that you would want snow shoes or skiis. About half way up the snow was rather sparse. I saw a couple of tele skiiers who turned around here because of lack of snow.
Route Climbed: West Slopes from Guanella Pass Date Climbed: 25 August, 2002
I had put off Bierstadt many times, in fear of the infamous willows. Finally did it, in a very dry year, with my daughter, and found that boardwalks had been installed over the soggy places! We went on over the Sawtooth to include Evans, descending by the more northerly route through--of course!--the willows. It was a long day, but very satisfying--and more challenging than the ratings of the peaks alone indicate.
Route Climbed: West Slopes from Guanella Pass Date Climbed: October 7, 2005
Skipped out of work early (shhh... don't tell) and hiked/ran/gasped to summit. Late in day (road work after Georgetown caused significant delays) but weather was perfect. Wonderful end to a work week.
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass, up over and across the Sawtooth Date Climbed: October 1, 2005
Absolutely beautiful day! Summer won't let go. Uneventful plodding until the Sawtooth, then pick your poison as fun scrambling and scree surfing abound. I really enjoyed the views of the ridge traverse from the XC route back to the pass.
Route Climbed: Sawtooth Date Climbed: July 2, 2004
Awesome hike/easy climb from Evans to here and back-- should've had my ice axe, though, and had to negotiate somewhat tricky rock to avoid hard, steep snowfields on Bierstadt's flanks. Spectacular views of surrounding mountains and icebound lakes at almost 13,000'. There is some exposure along the ridge traverse that may make many people uncomfortable, but the rock is good and you just need to watch your feet, of course.
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: September 11th, 2005
I was looking for a quick hike to do and be back in Boulder before football started. This route was perfect. Great views of the Sawtooth and Grays and Torreys to the West. All together it only took 3 hours from car to car. Can't wait to come and do the Sawtooth. God Bless America.
Route Climbed: West slope, Guanella Pass Date Climbed: September 5, 2005
It was a beautiful day, The willows were beginning to turn yellow and were quite beautiful. We had 4 in our group including a 9 year old. We reached the summit in 3 1/2 hours. Being Labor Day, the mountain was quite crowded. But it was a great day none the less!
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: August 28, 2005
Began at 4 am so that we'd be the first people on the summit that day and hopefully we'd be alone. We summitted by 630, hung around for a few to refuel, and then made our way over the Sawtooth for our Mt. Evans ascent. Overall, a good day. The route back down from Evans through the willows and swamps of Scott Gomer Creek was horrible. There has to be a better way down than that.
summitbound - Dec 12, 2005 5:09 pm
Route Climbed: western slope from guenella pass Date Climbed: December 11, 2005I was just planning on snowshoeing in the area but was suprised at how little snow there was on the mountain and I had the time so I decided to go for the summit! I saw a few people down low but had the summit all to myself. There was a bit of snow down low, not enough to cover the willows but enought that you would want snow shoes or skiis. About half way up the snow was rather sparse. I saw a couple of tele skiiers who turned around here because of lack of snow.
chairman - Dec 1, 2005 7:30 am
Route Climbed: Western Slope Date Climbed: September 5, 2004Labor Day Weekend. Snow the night before. Fairly crowded but not too bad.
jm485 - Nov 28, 2005 9:46 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Trail Date Climbed: 7/7/05This was my second in as many days. I should have rested between summits but it was great. I did the Saw Tooth and bonked on the other side.
whatisis - Nov 4, 2005 5:47 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: August 10, 2004Made it.
heather14 - Oct 23, 2005 12:08 am
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Date Climbed: August 6, 2005Great hike...not too difficult. It was a perfect day for a 14er!
cftbq - Oct 19, 2005 2:42 pm
Route Climbed: West Slopes from Guanella Pass Date Climbed: 25 August, 2002I had put off Bierstadt many times, in fear of the infamous willows. Finally did it, in a very dry year, with my daughter, and found that boardwalks had been installed over the soggy places! We went on over the Sawtooth to include Evans, descending by the more northerly route through--of course!--the willows. It was a long day, but very satisfying--and more challenging than the ratings of the peaks alone indicate.
Joe_Parvis - Oct 14, 2005 4:18 pm
Route Climbed: West Slopes from Guanella Pass Date Climbed: October 7, 2005Skipped out of work early (shhh... don't tell) and hiked/ran/gasped to summit. Late in day (road work after Georgetown caused significant delays) but weather was perfect. Wonderful end to a work week.
fossana - Oct 13, 2005 8:49 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: 24 August 2005Not as fun as Sawtooth
Old Ickabod - Oct 4, 2005 4:49 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: July 2005Easy hike with Hays and Spolek. Made it more interesting by traversing the sawtooth and summiting Mt Evans.
iceisnice - Oct 4, 2005 12:45 am
Route Climbed: winter Date Climbed: forgotboring hike
crzyjt - Oct 2, 2005 1:35 pm
Route Climbed: West Slopes from Guanella Pass over Sawtooth Date Climbed: July 30, 2005Second time up Bierstadt, this time I made it all the way to Evans before the weather scared me off.
ajdonner - Oct 1, 2005 9:13 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass, up over and across the Sawtooth Date Climbed: October 1, 2005Absolutely beautiful day! Summer won't let go. Uneventful plodding until the Sawtooth, then pick your poison as fun scrambling and scree surfing abound. I really enjoyed the views of the ridge traverse from the XC route back to the pass.
Bob Sihler - Sep 28, 2005 10:14 pm
Route Climbed: Sawtooth Date Climbed: July 2, 2004Awesome hike/easy climb from Evans to here and back-- should've had my ice axe, though, and had to negotiate somewhat tricky rock to avoid hard, steep snowfields on Bierstadt's flanks. Spectacular views of surrounding mountains and icebound lakes at almost 13,000'. There is some exposure along the ridge traverse that may make many people uncomfortable, but the rock is good and you just need to watch your feet, of course.
ColoradoNewfie - Sep 23, 2005 8:56 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Date Climbed: September 23, 2005This was my first 14er. We had a great time and a beautiful day.
Andrew Vargo - Sep 11, 2005 7:33 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: September 11th, 2005I was looking for a quick hike to do and be back in Boulder before football started. This route was perfect. Great views of the Sawtooth and Grays and Torreys to the West. All together it only took 3 hours from car to car. Can't wait to come and do the Sawtooth. God Bless America.
Tajji - Sep 10, 2005 6:27 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: September 10, 2005The morning overcast burned off around 8am, leaving a sunny, but very windy trip across the Sawtooth.
cowboypete - Sep 8, 2005 1:24 pm
Route Climbed: West slope, Guanella Pass Date Climbed: September 5, 2005It was a beautiful day, The willows were beginning to turn yellow and were quite beautiful. We had 4 in our group including a 9 year old. We reached the summit in 3 1/2 hours. Being Labor Day, the mountain was quite crowded. But it was a great day none the less!
TomSellick - Aug 31, 2005 6:28 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass / Sawtooth Date Climbed: August 13, 2004Pretty cool. We did part of the Sawtooth which was a blast...you can really feel that class 3 up that high
eggheadsherpa - Aug 30, 2005 11:12 am
Route Climbed: West Slope (from Guanella Pass) Date Climbed: August 27, 2005Easy hike up to Bierstadt, went from here over the Sawtooth to Evans. Sawtooth was fun and non-technical.
Scott Wisher - Aug 29, 2005 10:45 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: August 28, 2005Began at 4 am so that we'd be the first people on the summit that day and hopefully we'd be alone. We summitted by 630, hung around for a few to refuel, and then made our way over the Sawtooth for our Mt. Evans ascent. Overall, a good day. The route back down from Evans through the willows and swamps of Scott Gomer Creek was horrible. There has to be a better way down than that.
To see pictures from the hike, click here.