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Mt. Bierstadt – West Slopes

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.3 (122)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Guanella Pass
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“An easy intro to Colorado's 14ers on the standard West Slopes route. ”

Tyler Prince
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Map Key

7.2

Miles

11.6

KM

Out and Back

14,016' 4,272 m

High

11,509' 3,508 m

Low

2,625' 800 m

Up

2,624' 800 m

Down

14%

Avg Grade (8°)

38%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This is perhaps Colorado's easiest and most accessible 14er, just an hour and change from Denver over Georgetown's Guanella Pass. While absolutely packed on any summer weekend with beginning hikers, experts, and trail-runners alike, Mt. Bierstadt provides some excellent views, including but not limited to one of the Denver skyline on clear days. This is the standard route most commonly used to reach the peak.

Need to Know

Generally, you should expect a 4+ hour trip, and plan accordingly. Bring sun protection, rain gear, and at least 2 liters of water.

Note: Even though land management says dogs are to be leashed, you'll see many dogs and few leashes.

Description

Drive (in any functioning automobile, 2WD is fine) up Guanella Pass from Georgetown. There is ample parking (day or night) along the road, and plenty of signs designating the TH. You'll start this hike right around tree line.

From the trailhead, follow a clearly designated trail over easy class 1 terrain with minimal vertical. After crossing over some small creeks on well-maintained footbridges, pass through some willows. After about one mile, the grade begins to increase, though the terrain remains at class 1. Approaching the two mile mark, the trail turns to the south and continues to steepen. From here the trail becomes increasingly rough all the way to the summit ridge, but will not surpass class 2. Some log steps and small to medium size rocks along the switchbacks demand at least some vigilance.

Continue upward, turning left onto a bearing E/NE up the summit ridge. This area is prone to typical Front Range weather, so be prepared for some intense winds. The summit comes into sight just a few hundred yards up the ridge. Once visible, it's just an easy 200 ft or so scramble on solid rock to the summit. This should be easy for any semi-fit human, but smaller dogs may require some assistance.

From here, you can return to the Mt. Bierstadt TH or continue to Mt. Evans via a low class 3 traverse known as "the Sawtooth."

Flora & Fauna

Willows at the start of the hike retain a lot of moisture... be ready to get wet. The 14ers Initiative does an excellent job of keeping them from getting too unruly, but plants certainly have a tendency to grow back.

Don't feed the marmots - they're feisty little creatures.

History & Background

Mt. Bierstadt is named after first summiter Albert Bierstadt, a German-American painter best known for his dramatic landscapes of the American West. At 14,065 feet, it is the 38th highest peak in Colorado.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Pike National Forest - South Platte Ranger District

Shared By:

Tyler Prince with improvements by Ralph Bradt and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 122 votes

#1

in Guanella Pass

#98

Overall
  4.3 from 122 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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3 Star
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1 Star
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Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Guanella Pass

#29

in Colorado

#98

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Photos

Looking down the mountain from Mt. Bierstadt Trail
Feb 23, 2015 near Georgetown, CO
Mt Bierstadt summit view
Feb 26, 2015 near Georgetown, CO
Mount Bierstadt
Sep 19, 2017 near Georgetown, CO
A lowlander friend summits his first 14er, with some amazing views of the Front Range behind him.
Feb 18, 2015 near Georgetown, CO
Mt. Bierstadt from the main TH. Much of the route is visible, with the trail starting from the lower left of the picture and jogging up the center hill. From here it passes along the summit ridge to the right. The sawtooth is to the left of the summit.
Feb 18, 2015 near Georgetown, CO
Clearly you're above treeline for the majority of this route...
Feb 23, 2015 near Georgetown, CO

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 51 days ago
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Check-Ins

Sep 6, 2024
Jacob Koenig
7.1mi — 5h 56m
Aug 24, 2024
Callie Summerlin
6h 00m
Aug 4, 2024
Private User
Jul 9, 2024
Atsuko Ohtake
Oct 21, 2023
Mike Faunda
All clear, gorgeous day. No wind at peak...what??? 7.4mi — 4h 41m
Aug 31, 2023
WILLIAM FENWICK
Run after work at Cabin Creek 7.4mi — 2h 04m
Aug 12, 2023
Vincent Burditt
Jul 3, 2023
Chris Rice

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