Mt. Bierstadt : Our First 14'er
Trial Snapshot: Mt. Bierstadt
Hike Distance -1-7 miles round trip
Difficulty -Easy-Difficult
Duration-1-6 hours
Trail Type-Out and Back
Elevation Gain-Up to 2400'
Seasons-Best Late Spring to Fall
Dogs-Allowed on Leash but discouraged bc of the fragile ecosystem
Hike Trail Map -Click for a Trail Map
Denver Drive Time-1 hr 30 min
Directions-Click for Google Map
Nearest Town-Georgetown Co
THE TEN ESSENTIALS
NAVIGATION – Map, compass, and GPS system
Navigation systems are used when planning your route before your trip, and when you need help orienting yourself in your surroundings during your activity. Know how to use a topographical or relief map as well as your compass or GPS unit before going out.
Navigation systems are used when planning your route before your trip, and when you need help orienting yourself in your surroundings during your activity. Know how to use a topographical or relief map as well as your compass or GPS unit before going out.
SUN PROTECTION – Sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat
Sun protection is necessary to protect your skin and eyes against harsh UV rays that are responsible for sunburns and skin cancer. Consider using sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats. Sun-protection clothing such as pants and long sleeve shirts can also help minimize your exposure to the sun.
Sun protection is necessary to protect your skin and eyes against harsh UV rays that are responsible for sunburns and skin cancer. Consider using sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats. Sun-protection clothing such as pants and long sleeve shirts can also help minimize your exposure to the sun.
INSULATION – Jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell, and thermal underwear
Nature is unpredictable. Be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions. Pack an extra layer of clothing that reflects the most extreme conditions you could encounter.
Nature is unpredictable. Be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions. Pack an extra layer of clothing that reflects the most extreme conditions you could encounter.
ILLUMINATION – Flashlight, lanterns, and headlamp
Lighting is indispensable in the outdoors where no conventional light sources can be found. Items include flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps. Headlamps are the preferred light source because they are hands-free. Be sure to pack extra batteries.
Lighting is indispensable in the outdoors where no conventional light sources can be found. Items include flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps. Headlamps are the preferred light source because they are hands-free. Be sure to pack extra batteries.
FIRST-AID SUPPLIES – First Aid Kit
Be prepared for emergencies by packing first-aid supplies with you. Start with a pre-made kit and modify it to fit your trip and your medical needs. Check the expiration date on all items and replace them as needed. Consider including an emergency guide in case you are faced with an unfamiliar medical emergency
FIRE – Matches, lighter and fire starters
Fire can be an emergency signal and a heat source for cooking and staying warm. Pack matches (preferably waterproof) and fire starters - items that catch fire quickly and sustain a flame (e.g. lighter). Familiarize yourself with the fire use regulations of your park before heading out. Learn more about campfires.
REPAIR KIT AND TOOLS – Duct tape, knife, screwdriver, and scissorsCarry a basic repair kit with you to help repair equipment. The kit should include items such as duct tape, a knife, and scissors. Consider packing a multi-tool, a compact version of many tools that can include a knife, screwdriver, can opener, etc. Be sure to bring any tools specific to your trip and your activity.
Be prepared for emergencies by packing first-aid supplies with you. Start with a pre-made kit and modify it to fit your trip and your medical needs. Check the expiration date on all items and replace them as needed. Consider including an emergency guide in case you are faced with an unfamiliar medical emergency
FIRE – Matches, lighter and fire starters
Fire can be an emergency signal and a heat source for cooking and staying warm. Pack matches (preferably waterproof) and fire starters - items that catch fire quickly and sustain a flame (e.g. lighter). Familiarize yourself with the fire use regulations of your park before heading out. Learn more about campfires.
REPAIR KIT AND TOOLS – Duct tape, knife, screwdriver, and scissorsCarry a basic repair kit with you to help repair equipment. The kit should include items such as duct tape, a knife, and scissors. Consider packing a multi-tool, a compact version of many tools that can include a knife, screwdriver, can opener, etc. Be sure to bring any tools specific to your trip and your activity.
NUTRITION - Food
You should always be prepared for the possibility of changes to your trip plans. Pack an extra day's supply of food, preferably no-cook items that have good nutritional value in order to keep your energy high. Salty and easy to digest snacks (e.g. trail mix, nuts, and granola bars) work well for outdoor activities.
You should always be prepared for the possibility of changes to your trip plans. Pack an extra day's supply of food, preferably no-cook items that have good nutritional value in order to keep your energy high. Salty and easy to digest snacks (e.g. trail mix, nuts, and granola bars) work well for outdoor activities.
HYDRATION – Water and water treatment supplies
Staying hydrated on your trip is of utmost importance! Physical activity increases your risk of dehydration (loss of water and salts from the body), which can lead to negative health consequences. If you’re active outdoors (hiking, biking, running, swimming, etc.), especially in hot weather, you should drink water often and before you feel thirsty. Prepare your water before you need it and do not allow yourself to become dehydrated. Before heading out on your trip, be sure to identify if there are any bodies of water at your destination that you could collect water from and treat using your water treatment supplies. Learn more about purifying water.
Staying hydrated on your trip is of utmost importance! Physical activity increases your risk of dehydration (loss of water and salts from the body), which can lead to negative health consequences. If you’re active outdoors (hiking, biking, running, swimming, etc.), especially in hot weather, you should drink water often and before you feel thirsty. Prepare your water before you need it and do not allow yourself to become dehydrated. Before heading out on your trip, be sure to identify if there are any bodies of water at your destination that you could collect water from and treat using your water treatment supplies. Learn more about purifying water.
EMERGENCY SHELTER – Tent, space blanket, tarp, and bivy
Shelter is one of the most important elements during an emergency survival situation. It can protect you from severe weather conditions and exposure to the elements. A tent, tarp, bivy sack,or emergency space blanket are all light weight options for emergency shelter.
The weather was predicting the temperature to be between 22-48 degrees with sunny skies (In reality it was in the 30's in the morning and got up to the upper 60's by 1 pm ) Starting before the sun came up meant that we would be getting the full range of temperatures predicted and needed to be packed accordingly.
Shelter is one of the most important elements during an emergency survival situation. It can protect you from severe weather conditions and exposure to the elements. A tent, tarp, bivy sack,or emergency space blanket are all light weight options for emergency shelter.
The weather was predicting the temperature to be between 22-48 degrees with sunny skies (In reality it was in the 30's in the morning and got up to the upper 60's by 1 pm ) Starting before the sun came up meant that we would be getting the full range of temperatures predicted and needed to be packed accordingly.
Hiking Pack Checklist
- WATER AND GATORADE
I like to fill 2 water bottles with Gatorade that I can crush after drinking, electrolytes and a break from water.
- BEEF JERKY, NUTS, ENERGY PASTE , 2 CELEBRATORY BEERS FOR THE SUMMIT.
- HAT/BEANIE
- CHAPSTICK
- WATERPROOF WINDBREAKER
- FACE COVER/TURTLE FUR
- GLOVES
- HEADLAMP
- SUNGLASSES
- KNIFE
- COMPASS
- MAP
- TAPE
- WHISTLE
- MATCHES
- LIGHTER
- SUNSCREEN
- TP IN ZIPLOC BAG
- TRASHBAG
- CELLPHONE
- BATTERIES
- FIRST AID
- TREKKING POLES
The alarm came early on Saturday and after checking the weather one last time for any changes or storms we might have wanted to know about, we got the green light to start our adventure and off we went. The drive is about an hour and 30 minutes or so from our house and we planned this into our start time in order to be @ the trail-head between 6-6:30 am in an attempt to beat some of the traffic en route and on the hike. We had heard that because this is an easier hike when compared to other 14'ers you can expect a fair amount of traffic so we set out with this in mind. We ran a bit late and got to a full parking lot @ 6:30 am, seriously, cars were already parked up and down the sides of the road and the area was already buzzing with activity. We wasted no time looking for a spot, pulled over immediately on the side of the road and got over to the trail head by 6:40.
The trail starts off with an easy walk down into a bit of a valley, you stroll by a small lake and you get some great views of where you will be going in this portion and its very scenic.You will come across a small but slippery stream to cross before rounding a corner and starting the ascent up the lower part of the hike. There isn't a lot to see that you couldn't when you started. You can see the trail, a series of switchbacks, and follow it up the side of the mountain out of view and in the distance you can see the pile of rocks you will eventually find yourself scrambling up to make the summit. Say and I took our time, we had the mindset of - we can go as slow as we want, as long as we make it to the top- and that's exactly what we did. As we hiked up the path we were met with an increasingly difficult climb as dirt and trail gave way to more rocky and step-like surfaces. Trudging along during our 3 hour and 20 minute ascent I'll admit it was a bit tougher than I had anticipated but we were along for the experience and personal triumph, come hell or high water we were making it to the top. The last leg of the hike prior to the rock scramble is what I personally felt was the most difficult, with each step leaving you less oxygen and a deeper burn in your legs. At times I found myself questioning my decision to do this in the first place. Towards the top before the scramble you make it to where you can finally see down on the other side, we took time to take photos here and hang out for a bit before taking the rock scramble to the top. We were about 20 feet away from some mountain goats (one had devil eyes) and we really took the time to enjoy our surroundings. After we had a bit of rest we pushed ourselves up the rock scramble to the summit and took in a deep breath of accomplishment.
The perspective, the view, the wind, everything that was happening right in that moment was perfect. I can tell you now I've physically been to cloud 9, it sits @ about 14k ft. We were all smiles as we sat there and stared off to the horizon, mountains tops below us, King and Queen of the world. We cracked open our celebratory beers and chomped on our beef jerky and nuts while we just sat there, 100% satisfied, it was AMAZING.
After we played King of the world for a bit we made our way back down, the trek back to the car was almost just as daunting. The last quarter of a mile was torture as that slight dip down into the valley we started with seemed like 10 miles straight up hill with gummy worms for legs. With the car in sight as we crossed the parking lot feet meeting pavement for the first time in hours we finished out our hike @ 6 hours and 20 minutes getting back to the car @ 1pm. We couldn't have been happier with our first 49'er experience and would recommend this hike to anyone, who knows, we might just have gotten the bug!
What did we learn?
The trail, as we had read was very, very heavily trafficked. I'll actually go out on a limb here and say Iv'e not hiked a busier location period. I found everyone on the trail pleasant and didn't encounter any "a-holes" or "trouble-makers". Most people were very encouraging and we met some folks we kept pace with for the duration of our trek.
The trail starts off with an easy walk down into a bit of a valley, you stroll by a small lake and you get some great views of where you will be going in this portion and its very scenic.You will come across a small but slippery stream to cross before rounding a corner and starting the ascent up the lower part of the hike. There isn't a lot to see that you couldn't when you started. You can see the trail, a series of switchbacks, and follow it up the side of the mountain out of view and in the distance you can see the pile of rocks you will eventually find yourself scrambling up to make the summit. Say and I took our time, we had the mindset of - we can go as slow as we want, as long as we make it to the top- and that's exactly what we did. As we hiked up the path we were met with an increasingly difficult climb as dirt and trail gave way to more rocky and step-like surfaces. Trudging along during our 3 hour and 20 minute ascent I'll admit it was a bit tougher than I had anticipated but we were along for the experience and personal triumph, come hell or high water we were making it to the top. The last leg of the hike prior to the rock scramble is what I personally felt was the most difficult, with each step leaving you less oxygen and a deeper burn in your legs. At times I found myself questioning my decision to do this in the first place. Towards the top before the scramble you make it to where you can finally see down on the other side, we took time to take photos here and hang out for a bit before taking the rock scramble to the top. We were about 20 feet away from some mountain goats (one had devil eyes) and we really took the time to enjoy our surroundings. After we had a bit of rest we pushed ourselves up the rock scramble to the summit and took in a deep breath of accomplishment.
The perspective, the view, the wind, everything that was happening right in that moment was perfect. I can tell you now I've physically been to cloud 9, it sits @ about 14k ft. We were all smiles as we sat there and stared off to the horizon, mountains tops below us, King and Queen of the world. We cracked open our celebratory beers and chomped on our beef jerky and nuts while we just sat there, 100% satisfied, it was AMAZING.
What did we learn?
The trail, as we had read was very, very heavily trafficked. I'll actually go out on a limb here and say Iv'e not hiked a busier location period. I found everyone on the trail pleasant and didn't encounter any "a-holes" or "trouble-makers". Most people were very encouraging and we met some folks we kept pace with for the duration of our trek.
- Use the restroom before you leave your house and you might even want to take something for "emergency relief", a bottle/She-wee or container. The toilets in the parking lot had a 30+ minute wait @ 6:30 am
- If you want to be alone or have the summit by yourself plan on leaving a couple hours before dawn.
- Take poles- Your legs and knees will thank you on the way down.
- LAYERS!!!! There is no tree cover or shade on this hike so you are exposed to the sun and the wind for the entire trek. Take clothes that can be warn in layers and packed away in your bag, everything's gotta fit.
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