Mt. Bierstadt

Where we went:  Mt Bierstadt
What went wrong: Packed too heavy, should have started earlier.
What we did right:  Prepared for a longer hike with extra food and clothes.
How you can avoid mistakes:  Be sure to be prepared for a long, steep hike with multiple climate changes as the altitude increases.  We experienced, sun, clouds, rain, snow, and sleet all in one day.

Our first fourteener!  What a thrill.  Mt. Bierstadt is billed as an easy hike, but it was quite strenuous for these 50+ knees and legs.  Although we planned for a longer hike, with extra clothes for the colder summit, we didn't end up needing more than our regular jackets, and the extra sweatshirts were bulky and heavy to carry in the packs.  We were glad for gloves, though, not only for cold, but for boulder climbing.  It took six hours out and back, with some difficult climbing at the top.  But the views were worth it!

Exit I-70 at Georgetown, and follow signs to Guanella Pass Road.

We left down town Denver at 6:00 am and arrived at the trail head at 7:30 am.  The lower parking lot was already full!

Spur trail from upper parking lot.

The start of the trail with Mt. Bierstadt in the distance.

The first part of the trail is through the willows.

The trail can be muddy!  Bridges help in the worst areas.

Stream crossing.

Make good time on the easy trail through the willows. 

Rocky over look.  Good place for a rest.

The middle trail is through an alpine meadow.

Posts serve as trail markers.

The trail is wide and obvious, but becomes more rocky and steeper along the way.

Rocky trail.

The summit is in sight.

The trail is popular, and the summit crowded.

Made it!  An added bonus, I found a geo cache.

Six hours later we were back at the trail head.  The clouds had rolled in and we had been snowed on, and rained on lightly.  We started the climb at 7:30 am, but earlier would be better to beat the afternoon storms. 

Would we hike this trail again?  Yes, but would avoid thunderstorm season.