Climbingwithewan - Aug 31, 2020 9:21 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2020
Sawtooth Ridge Traverse
I climbed Bierstadt then went down the ridge. Lots of class 3. Their was a part that I think was class 4 because the definition of class 4 is “simple climbing” according to my freedom of the hills book and this particular part was definitely simple climbing. Make sure you follow the carins, I can’t spell that. The last obstacle is an exposed part with a big drop on the left. After that, you’re done with the traverse.
NorCalNomad - Nov 22, 2019 9:49 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2019
Bierstadt and Evans via Sawtooth
Cool bit of 3rd class with some 4th class if you want it.
intothewild - Sep 1, 2019 8:54 am Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2019
Intimidating at first, but easier that I thought
I left Guanella Pass at around 7:15 AM and made it to the summit of Bierstadt at around 9:30, with the intention of doing the Sawtooth traverse and loop back to Guanella. I asked around on the (rather crowded) summit if anyone was interested, and only got a few "are you crazy?" comments. I started the traverse on my own, and after about 15' was approached by a climber who was doing the "Tour de Abyss". We then continued together. We decided to avoid a very large snowfield close to the top of Bierstadt and descend - rather than attempting the ridge all the way. We reached the saddle and then the fun began. Frankly, it looks a lot worse than it actually is. There are probably a couple of sketchy moves as you approach the part where you have to cross over. Weather was great - dry and sunny, and not too windy. Returning to Guanella was tedious and miserable because of the marshy terrain... as expected.
JesseSumrak - Aug 11, 2019 6:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2017
Fun Hike
Hiked up Bierstadt and then went to Mt. Evans via the Sawtooth Ridge. Sawtooth Ridge was terrifying. Ended up getting terrible altitude sickness and unfortunately didn't get to enjoy it as much as I would have wanted. Would definitely recommend though.
Trailboss88 - Jul 15, 2016 7:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2015
A fun little scramble that was not as bad as advertised. In fact, the scrambling was quite minimal, and the only real exposure came in the one spot almost immediately after coming through the notch that dumps you on the west side of the ridge.
I had met two dudes on the summit of Bierdstat and we decided to complete the traverse together. After coming through the notch, the smell of sweet bud was strong... I realized it was emanating from a girl up on the ramp that leads to the tundra above after she yelled down to tell me the line I was following was "bomber."
On the way up to Evans, I met a girl who was also from Pennsylvania. She only lived an hour from me and wanted to do some climbing together back home... sweet! She was doing a quick solo ascent of Evans on her way home from California. My other two friends took the standard trail to the summit of Evans, while she and I just scrambled/climbed up to the top via out own made-up path.
It started snowing on the summit of Evans, and thunder could be heard, so we parted ways with my new PA friend. We took the gully down to Scott Gomer Creek. During our descent of the gully, the skies opened up, and I was once again being hailed on in Colorado... A regular occurrence indeed!!
From Bierstadt, fun but lots of meandering, finishes on sandy funness. If you stick to the ridge it's class III, but there is definitely a lot of use trails just to the south side of the ridge making it 2+.
Kiefer - Oct 6, 2013 2:30 am Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2009
Bierstadt/Evans Combo
Good day out climbing with my buddy Jim from Michigan.
Ridge is a lot easier than advertised. But fun none-the-less!
kkriley19 - Aug 12, 2013 1:00 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2013
Sawtooth
First summit lightning experience
alpine345 - Oct 19, 2012 11:16 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2012
Toothy
Finally did this on a perfect day (50 deg, no wind, sunny). There's good scrambling if you stay right on the ridge crest proper and avoid the "trail"...
telemarkdude - Oct 11, 2012 7:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 1996
Very Fun Ridge
Nice little scramble. Very enjoyable and recommended route for picking up these two peaks. The exposure really is not great and none of the scrambling was difficult.
DougBenton - Sep 7, 2012 9:15 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2012
Fun route!
great way to link Mount Bierstadt and Mount Evans!
Bob Sihler - Jul 12, 2009 11:35 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2004
Fun, but not that challenging
I disagree in calling this route Class 3, and I realize that runs afoul of Gerry Roach's call. I came out from sea level, spent the night, and climbed this route from Evans to Bierstadt and back the next day, and though there were a few arguably Class 3 spots, I was disappointed not to find some real scrambling. The only decent scrambling I found was in getting from one side of the ridge to the other.
Bottom line: If you're newer to this game, don't let the descriptions scare you. If you're not, don't get your hopes up.
benners - Dec 9, 2008 10:23 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2005
First scramble
This was my first real scramble, all I know is that I completed this route in 2005, I remember it being fun but very tedious.
Climbingwithewan - Aug 31, 2020 9:21 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2020
Sawtooth Ridge TraverseI climbed Bierstadt then went down the ridge. Lots of class 3. Their was a part that I think was class 4 because the definition of class 4 is “simple climbing” according to my freedom of the hills book and this particular part was definitely simple climbing. Make sure you follow the carins, I can’t spell that. The last obstacle is an exposed part with a big drop on the left. After that, you’re done with the traverse.
NorCalNomad - Nov 22, 2019 9:49 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2019
Bierstadt and Evans via SawtoothCool bit of 3rd class with some 4th class if you want it.
intothewild - Sep 1, 2019 8:54 am Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2019
Intimidating at first, but easier that I thoughtI left Guanella Pass at around 7:15 AM and made it to the summit of Bierstadt at around 9:30, with the intention of doing the Sawtooth traverse and loop back to Guanella. I asked around on the (rather crowded) summit if anyone was interested, and only got a few "are you crazy?" comments. I started the traverse on my own, and after about 15' was approached by a climber who was doing the "Tour de Abyss". We then continued together. We decided to avoid a very large snowfield close to the top of Bierstadt and descend - rather than attempting the ridge all the way. We reached the saddle and then the fun began. Frankly, it looks a lot worse than it actually is. There are probably a couple of sketchy moves as you approach the part where you have to cross over. Weather was great - dry and sunny, and not too windy. Returning to Guanella was tedious and miserable because of the marshy terrain... as expected.
JesseSumrak - Aug 11, 2019 6:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2017
Fun HikeHiked up Bierstadt and then went to Mt. Evans via the Sawtooth Ridge. Sawtooth Ridge was terrifying. Ended up getting terrible altitude sickness and unfortunately didn't get to enjoy it as much as I would have wanted. Would definitely recommend though.
Trailboss88 - Jul 15, 2016 7:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2015
fun, scenic, easy scrambleas part of Tour D'Abyss
TheWolfIsLoose - Nov 2, 2015 2:32 pm
From BierdstatA fun little scramble that was not as bad as advertised. In fact, the scrambling was quite minimal, and the only real exposure came in the one spot almost immediately after coming through the notch that dumps you on the west side of the ridge.
I had met two dudes on the summit of Bierdstat and we decided to complete the traverse together. After coming through the notch, the smell of sweet bud was strong... I realized it was emanating from a girl up on the ramp that leads to the tundra above after she yelled down to tell me the line I was following was "bomber."
On the way up to Evans, I met a girl who was also from Pennsylvania. She only lived an hour from me and wanted to do some climbing together back home... sweet! She was doing a quick solo ascent of Evans on her way home from California. My other two friends took the standard trail to the summit of Evans, while she and I just scrambled/climbed up to the top via out own made-up path.
It started snowing on the summit of Evans, and thunder could be heard, so we parted ways with my new PA friend. We took the gully down to Scott Gomer Creek. During our descent of the gully, the skies opened up, and I was once again being hailed on in Colorado... A regular occurrence indeed!!
badmajick - Sep 26, 2014 8:37 pm Date Climbed: Sep 27, 2014
FunFrom Bierstadt, fun but lots of meandering, finishes on sandy funness. If you stick to the ridge it's class III, but there is definitely a lot of use trails just to the south side of the ridge making it 2+.
mattdalman - Sep 24, 2014 10:10 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2014
Evans to BierstadtTraverse over Spalding, Evans, Sawtooth, and Bierstadt.
alpineair - Dec 4, 2013 5:12 pm
FunEvans to Bierstadt.
Kiefer - Oct 6, 2013 2:30 am Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2009
Bierstadt/Evans ComboGood day out climbing with my buddy Jim from Michigan.
Ridge is a lot easier than advertised. But fun none-the-less!
kkriley19 - Aug 12, 2013 1:00 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2013
SawtoothFirst summit lightning experience
alpine345 - Oct 19, 2012 11:16 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2012
ToothyFinally did this on a perfect day (50 deg, no wind, sunny). There's good scrambling if you stay right on the ridge crest proper and avoid the "trail"...
telemarkdude - Oct 11, 2012 7:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 1996
Very Fun RidgeNice little scramble. Very enjoyable and recommended route for picking up these two peaks. The exposure really is not great and none of the scrambling was difficult.
DougBenton - Sep 7, 2012 9:15 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2012
Fun route!great way to link Mount Bierstadt and Mount Evans!
psycobill - Apr 2, 2012 2:45 pm
1st 14ersDid this the first week I moved my business to Colorado, was a nice initiation to 14ers
Up2zmtns - Jul 18, 2011 12:57 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2011
EasyEvans, Sawtooth, Bierstadt, Back... fun, easy, wished it was a little tougher... definitely no "knife edge" like the guy in the parking lot said
seth@LOKI - Feb 9, 2011 3:58 pm
fun walkworth doing for sure-seemed like a trek from Guenilla to Evans after word.
Darren9 - Nov 7, 2009 1:03 am
14er spreePart of a 12 fourteeners in 6 days spree
Bob Sihler - Jul 12, 2009 11:35 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2004
Fun, but not that challengingI disagree in calling this route Class 3, and I realize that runs afoul of Gerry Roach's call. I came out from sea level, spent the night, and climbed this route from Evans to Bierstadt and back the next day, and though there were a few arguably Class 3 spots, I was disappointed not to find some real scrambling. The only decent scrambling I found was in getting from one side of the ridge to the other.
Bottom line: If you're newer to this game, don't let the descriptions scare you. If you're not, don't get your hopes up.
benners - Dec 9, 2008 10:23 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2005
First scrambleThis was my first real scramble, all I know is that I completed this route in 2005, I remember it being fun but very tedious.