This has become one of the busiest summer 14er routes so the colorado fourteeners initiative cfi has recently made some. Colorado also offers a great series of hut trips via 10th mountain. The ease of access, extremely beautiful views and close proximity to denver make it so popular. Mount evans is the highest peak in the namesake mount evans wilderness in the front range of the rocky mountains of north america. The oncefearsome or at least highly annoying willow swamps at its base have been tamed with boardwalks, and a newly rebuilt road to 11,669foot guanella pass makes it a snap to drive to the trailhead, an hour from denver.
Feb 08, 2017 mount bierstadt, colorados friendliest fourteener, is now less demanding than ever. Colorado 14ers maps series 1 of 16 bierstadt, evans grays. The bible of guide books remains gerry roachs colorado fourteeners. The above information does not replace the need to consult additional maps and colorado fourteener guidebooks for more detailed route descriptions. At pikes peak, you only have a 30 foot incline to summit. Mount bierstadt 14,060ft 4,286 m is considered one of the colorado 14ers easiest climbs, and also located in the front range. Bierstadt west slopes trail is a great one to get you started, but it is still not without its challenges.
This is a popular mountain being relatively easy and closes to denver so start early to beat the. Its not much more than an hour outside of denver and the easiest route, the west slopes, only requires a 3 mile, 2391 foot ascent up a class 1 trail to reach its summit. Choose your route wisely and make sure it is in your abilities. There are no easy 14ers with the exception of driving to the top of mount evans and pikes peak in your airconditioned car. Bierstadt, a 14,060ft mountain, one of more than 50 of colorado s peaks that surpass 14,000 feet in elevation, receives a. Bierstadtone of the closest fourteeners to denverlooks entirely attainable. Its not much more than an hour outside of denver and the easiest route, the west slopes, only requires a 3 mile, 2391 foot ascent up a class 1 trail to. While more people than ever are climbing them, theres still a dearth of good information about each mountain and its surrounding areas. Bierstadt is a great mountain to start on for those that are new to hiking fourteeners. Mount bierstadt is one of colorado s easier and more trafficked 14ers. Or maybe it was a library book my husband brought home, called the colorado 14ers. Bierstadt trail on guanella pass day hikes near denver.
I tell myself its probably just the way the sunlight is hitting the treeless mountainside on this early july morning, but the 38th highest peak in the centennial state is less intimidating than i expected. They say this is the easiest of the 14ers but a mountain is still a mountain. The 14ers have become so popular that erosion and trail damage became a problem. Aug 03, 2015 most mountaineering enthusiasts recommend starting with mt. Colorado 14ers map pack bundle national geographic. Mount bierstadt is a high mountain summit of the colorado peaks in the front range of the rocky mountains of north america. The 14,065foot 4,287 m fourteener is located in the mount evans wilderness of pike national forest, 9.
Hikers and scenery on the trail up to the summit of 14,065 foot mount bierstadt via thinkstock. All mountain excursions require planning, and adequate gear. Once you reach the summit, dont forget to sign the log book. Climbing a 14er with kids a matter of planning, paying. From denver, take i70 west to georgetown exit 228, then follow the signs to. Your mt bierstadt 14er poster is printed on thick stock, measures 11. In fact, there are some fourteeners in colorado that you can drive to such as pikes peak and mt. By any reasonable objective measure there are 52 14ers, and historically 54 have been recognized the 52 plus ellingwood and north maroon. Each map page provides accurate trail statistics including trail mileages, total elevation gain and loss, elevations at trail junctions, and trailhead elevations and directions to trailheads. Now in his early 50s, hes taking up the hobby of mountaineering again. Situated within the front range and a little over an hours drive west of denver, it is one of the easiest and most accessible ascents to reach this states magic number 14,000 ft 4,267 m. Bierstadt or grays peak but we opted to hike 14,036 mount sherman, a rounded peak that looms above the western edge of south park. Locate the bierstadt trail and begin descending east toward scott gomer creek.
May 28, 20 but from the parking lot, the summit of mt. Enjoy hours of fun with friends and family while you adventure across the high peaks of co, growing your 14er empire. Bierstadt is popular, not just because its so close to denver, but its also one of the easier and more accessible of colorados 58 fourteen thousand foot peaks. Shop top fashion brands tshirts at free delivery and returns possible on eligible purchases. Today i bring you on a hike to the summit of mt bierstadt, co. Colorado 14ers list and map of the fourteeners in colorado. While mount elbert, the highest point in colorado, was regarded as the mostclimbed fourteener, the nonprofit believes that more are flocking to mount bierstadt. Colorado also offers a great series of hut trips via 10th mountain division hut association. Fourteeners are mountains with atleast 14,000 feet of elevation at their summit. The ultimate guide to hiking colorados fourteeners 5280.
Get your mt bierstadt 14er poster to commemorate your climb in the front range of colorados rocky mountain west. Parking is about 11,000ft but as you leave the parking the trail goes down to 10,500ft. Follow the bierstadt trail along a flat marshy alpine meadow and across wooden bridges to the base of mount bierstadt, which is directly ahead of you. Buy mt bierstadt colorado 14er mountain hiking club brown. The prominent 14,271foot 4,350 m fourteener is located. Mt evans 14,271 feet l and mt bierstadt 14,065 r colorado 14er. Colorado fourteeners 14ers state flag twotone coffee mug.
Locate the bierstadt trail and begin descending east toward scott gomer creek 2. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Jul 24, 2014 mount bierstadt 14,065 ft is a mountain in the front range region of the rocky mountains. The most authoritative and usable 14er maps the map pack includes authoritative and beautifully designed trail maps for all 58 of colorado s peaks over 14,000 feet in a single twobooklet bundle. Colorados 14ers ranked by popularity outthere colorado. Starting the hike at the guanella pass trailhead, the most popular route up the mountain is via the west slopes. There is a bit of a scramble near the top, but as many 14ers have this, its good practice and experience if you intend to do more. Colorados 14ers are aweinspiring hikes, but many ers. Somehow, though, we found ourselves driving i70 west, early for us on a sunday in early june, wearing just our running gear, and having no idea what we were getting ourselves.
Roachs book is known as a fourteeners bible of sorts. Damage control on bierstadt colorado fourteeners initiative. From guanella pass it is approximately a 3miles hike, with a climb of 2,391 feet. Nice ride up guenella pas to the parking for mt bierstadt. These are some of the easier colorado 14ers if you are looking to break into more technical mountain climbs. Probably while sitting around the kitchen table with our roommate jon, perusing the internet. Bierstadt georgetown 2020 all you need to know before. Colorado 14ers maps series 1 of 16 bierstadt, evans grays, torreys outdoor. This book is particularly affordable for the quality of content and print quality, very impressed. Bierstadt is in the mount evans wilderness, 2 miles west of 14,264foot mount evans. Mount evans is unlike almost every other 14er in colorado. Even though it was updated in 1999 it is a must have for every 14er climber. Bierstadt is becoming a pilgrimage for colorado s residents and its visitors.
This is a very popular mountain located in the mount evans wilderness, which is a gorgeous part of the state. This day was another hiking day with a challenging loop of two 14ers on the agenda. Bierstadt west slopes trail is classified by 14ers. September 20, 2010 the sun shined perfectly over the sawtooth and mt. Colorado s 14ers are aweinspiring hikes, but many ers are just as epic and less crowded. Colorados fourteeners, 3rd ed from hikes to climbs. Amazing experience on one of the easier 14ers this is a great first 14er if youre new to tackling colorado s highest summits. Formed in 2000 by breckenridge, colorado resident bill middlebrook, 14ers. This has become one of the busiest summer 14er routes so the colorado fourteeners initiative cfi has recently made some major trail improvements to support the increased traffic. My favorite site dedicated to 14ers is bill middlebrooks. The colorado 14ers series by outdoor trail maps llc is a series of 16 beautifully designed, waterproof and tearresistant topographic hiking maps covering all 58 of colorado s 14er peaks. This route is long, requires class 3 climbing skills and is not recommended for hikers who are new to the high peaks.
The tri blend shirt every climber in colorado should have. The map and list show all peaks higher than 14,000 feet in elevation in colorado. The locals guide to the 12 easiest colorado 14ers for. This photo showing the summit of mount bierstadt was made using a 360 degree. Mount bierstadt is one of colorados most popular, and easiest fourteeners. There are a variety of routes to the summit of varying difficulty, but expect this to be one of the busiest 14ers in colorado in the summer due to the ease of access and proximity to denver and the front range cities. Highly recommend it to anyone looking to hike their first 14er. Ive summited over half of colorado s 14ers and this was a good choice.
Tri blend, unbelievably soft and wont shrink about the colorado state flag the colorado state fl. However climbing a 14er hasnt always been a staple of colorado society. If you are looking for a hike that wont take all day but still offer a incredible view, mt. Protrails mt bierstadt, guanella pass mount bierstadt. In the mountaineering parlance of the western united states, a fourteener is a mountain. Mount bierstadt hike colorado 14er full guide and gps. Mount evans featured on 14ers maps 1 of 16 is the 14er peak most prominently visible from denver and one of only a handful where one can drive almost to the summit. The mount bierstadt hike might be the best introduction to a colorado 14er. Hiking mount bierstadt one of colorados most popular 14ers. Many newcomers to colorado find out about the 14ers relatively quickly once moving here. Mount bierstadt and grays and torreys peaks are often touted as good routes for firsttimers, but theyre on the front range and we live on the western slope. Bierstadt, fortunately, is not one in which you can drive almost to the top.
With new numbers from the forest service, the nonprofit projects the 14,065footer off interstate 70 attracts between 35,000 and 40,000 hikers during the busiest months. We suggest checking multiple resources before departing on any. A man hikes down the trail just above tree line at about 12,000 feet on his way down from the top of mt. The famous c from the colorado state flag with a silhouette of mt bierstadt, mt evans, grays peak, or torreys peak. Taking on one of colorado s 53 fourteenersfrom stately longs peak and the iconic maroon bells to the easy to access mt. Mount bierstadt and the sawtooth ridge as seen from guanella pass. When phil was younger, he climbed pikes peak numerous times and longs peak. Enjoy amazing views of wildflowers and other front range 14ers. Colorado gifts, mountain art, 14ers print, colorado peaks, co rockies, high peaks, hiking gift poster, high peaks of colorado, colorado 14 worldvibestudio 5. Mount bierstadt is a great 14er to get you started on. Along with mount evans, bierstadt is the closest 14er to denver. Colorado 14ers list and map of the fourteeners in colorado a 14er is a mountain peak with an elevation of at least 14,000 according to the colorado geological survey, using information form the usgs and national geodetic survey, colorado is home to 58 named peaks greater than 14,000 feet above sea level. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and snowboarding and is best used from june until september. I went with a large group of people and we got started early before 5am from guanella pass trailhead.
This is a great first 14er if youre new to tackling colorado s highest summits. Id been living here for only about two months when friends invited me to climb mt. If youre ready to lose your 14er virginity, mount bierstadt holds a reputation for a great starter 14er. This popular mountain is an easy drive from denver. Several guide books and a website are dedicated to the 14ers. Colorado 14ers list and map of the fourteeners in colorado a 14er is a mountain peak. A light covering of new snow mostly falling on mon morningtemperatures will be below freezing max 3c on fri afternoon, min 11c on fri nightwinds decreasing strong winds from the wnw on fri night, moderate winds from the nw by sat night. Bierstadt is already at 12,000 ft, which makes this peak one of the easiest 14ers to hike in colorado. Log your adventures in the mountains and on the slopes in these passports to. Bierstadt is a great choice to cut your teeth on one of colorado s beautiful 14ers. The hike features stunning views from the trailhead, and is one of the better 14ers for those looking to start trying the bigger mountains in colorado. It is still strenuos on beginner hikers but manageable if you pace yourself. It is a little over 6 miles roundtrip using the western slope guanella pass route where you gain a short 2391 feet starting from a trailhead at 11,691. It is part of the front range and is very close to denver.
Mount bierstadt is one of colorado s most popular, and easiest fourteeners. Hiking colorado fourteeners is on many bucket lists, here is your ultimate guide. I like the book because it covers all the major and minor routes up 14ers. Feb, 2020 my 11 year old florida resident daughter decided that she wanted to summit her 1st 14er before entering middle school. A since bierstadt is located in the mount evans wilderness, certain tasks were compounded in difficulty in order to comply with wilderness regulations. The 14ers towards the bottom of this list offer a look at more advanced colorado 14er routes. Colorados 14ers ranked by difficulty outthere colorado. Many guide books and reports talk about the horrible willows in the first mile. Some of the peaks are more technical than others, but any of them can be very dangerous to the unprepared. Of course, experienced climbers will enjoy this relatively speaking easy mountain as well. My favorite site dedicated to 14ers is bill middlebrooks the bible of guide books remains gerry roachs colorado fourteeners. The colorado fourteeners initiative was formed in 1994 to maintain these routes and protect the fragile alpine environment of these peaks.
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