Mount Bierstadt: 14er Hike Review
Mount Bierstadt (14,065ft.) is a 14er mountain located in Colorado’s Front Range, and more specifically within the Mount Evans Wilderness of Pike National Forest. Given its proximity to the Denver metro area and relatively easy accessibility from Guanella Pass, Mount Bierstadt is a massively popular mountain. Indeed, while Mount Bierstadt is the 38th tallest mountain in Colorado, it serves as an excellent introduction to hiking 14ers and is considered one of the easier 14er mountains.
The West Slopes route is the standard route to the summit of Mount Bierstadt and begins at the Guanella Pass Trailhead. The 3.6 mile route (7.2 mile roundtrip) to the peak follows a Class 1 trail, with a bit of Class 2 boulder scrambling near the summit. Starting at approximately 11,660ft. in elevation at the trailhead, the route gains about 2,405ft. to reach the summit. For those feeling ambitious, a popular option is to extend the outing and summit nearby Mount Evans as well.
Hike Review Series: Mount Bierstadt
Mountain Information
Mount Bierstadt is named in honor of legendary American painter Albert Bierstadt, who is particularly renowned for his landscape artwork, some of which features beautiful Rocky Mountain scenery. As part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Mount Bierstadt resides within the Mount Evans Wilderness and the Pike National Forest. Only a short drive from the old silver mining town of Georgetown, the West Slopes route to Mount Bierstadt’s summit begins at the popular Guanella Pass. Given that Mount Bierstadt is roughly only 50 miles from the Denver metro corridor and sees extensive use in the prime summer months, expect lots of crowds. At 14,065ft., Mount Bierstadt holds the distinction of the 38th tallest mountain in Colorado and is a fantastic option as a beginner 14er hike.
Mount Bierstadt
Trail Guide
Overview
The trailhead for the West Slopes route to the summit of Mount Bierstadt is easily accessible and does not require a 4WD vehicle. The route begins at the Guanella Pass Trailhead off of Guanella Pass Road. The trailhead has a large parking area for about 75 vehicles, but given the close proximity to Denver, only very early arrivals are likely to secure a parking spot here. If the trailhead lot is full, park in the upper lot for Square Tops Lakes or along Guanella Pass Road.
The West Slopes route itself is very straightforward. An easy to follow trail begins at the trailhead and leads to just below the Mount Bierstadt summit. The beginning part of the hike starts along footbridges due to it being part of a marshy drainage area. Hike along the Class 1 Mount Bierstadt Trail throughout the ascent until reaching some relatively easy Class 2 scrambling to reach the summit.
Route Information
Route Instructions
Step 14
The overall return trip back to the Guanella Pass Trailhead from the Mount Bierstadt summit is 3.6 miles. End back at the trailhead’s main parking area and relish the accomplishment of climbing the 38th tallest peak in Colorado.
Planning Tips
Getting There
From I-70, take exit 228 for Georgetown. Turn left onto 15th St., heading towards the traffic circle with the Circle K gas station on the left and the Georgetown Gateway Visitor Center on the right. Head straight through the traffic circle to stay on 15th St. (2nd exit) and make a right turn onto Rose St. Drive through Georgetown on Rose St. for about .8 miles, then make a left onto Second St., which turns into Guanella Pass Road. Begin a steep drive towards Guanella Pass and in about ten miles, reach the Guanella Pass Trailhead parking area on the left.
Parking
Parking for about 75 vehicles is available within the main parking area for the Guanella Pass Trailhead, located off of Guanella Pass Road. Another upper lot for Square Tops Lakes is nearby and can accommodate around 50+ vehicles.
Of course, given Mount Bierstadt’s proximity to the Denver metropolitan area, in addition to it being one of the easier 14ers, parking spaces here are hot commodities. Only the earliest arrivals will likely snag spots in the parking areas. An alternative is to park along Guanella Pass Road; but, even these spots can fill quickly during peak months. As with all 14er hikes, we recommend an early arrival to secure a decent parking spot.
Camping
There are a number of nearby campground options within reasonable proximity to the Guanella Pass Trailhead. As with all campgrounds near 14er trailheads, they usually fill quickly, so try to reserve in advance.
Guanella Pass Campground is very close to the Mount Bierstadt trailhead and is passed along the drive from Georgetown to the parking area. With 18 sites, some of which are reservable in advance, the Guanella Pass Campground is extremely convenient. Campsites are $21.00 per night.
Clear Lake Campground is a first-come, first-served campground and is not reservable in advance. Located close to Georgetown and passed along the way to Guanella Pass, the campground has 8 campsites and costs $19.00 per night.
Burning Bear Campground is closer to US Highway 285, near Grant, CO. The campground has 13 campsites and costs $22.00 per night.
Geneva Park Campground is also closer to US Highway 285, near Grant, CO. This is a much larger campground with 26 campsites, each at $22.00 per night.
Pets
Dogs are permitted on leash. Note that the last portion of the hike, which requires a scramble to the summit, could pose challenges for some dogs. Also, during peak hiking months, the trail to Mount Bierstadt’s summit can be extremely crowded. For these reasons, we do not advise bringing your pet. However, if you do opt to bring your pet, please abide by leash regulations.
Weather Forecast
Always check the weather forecast before venturing into alpine country. Even though Mount Bierstadt is considered one of the easier 14er mountains, thunderstorms and lightning are frequent occurrences here during the summer time. Plan ahead and if the weather does not look ideal, try your 14er summit adventure for another day. Safety first!
Provisions and Dining
The towns of Georgetown, CO and Idaho Springs, CO are reasonably close to the Guanella Pass Trailhead. If you plan to stop somewhere for a bite to eat after your hike, you’ll have a few options to choose from. Below are a couple of our recommendations for places to stop in either town.
Cabin Creek Brewing
Cabin Creek Brewing is a brewery and restaurant located in downtown Georgetown. It’s a large spot with indoor and outdoor dining options, serving burgers, pizzas, and salads. Of course, they also have some good beer — try their “Trail Tag” Hazy IPA or their “Cobra 1” Saison.
577 22nd St.
Georgetown, CO 80444
Westbound & Down Brewing Company
If you’re heading back toward the Denver area after hiking Mount Bierstadt, consider a stop at Westbound & Down in downtown Idaho Springs. Westbound & Down is a great brewery and has some tasty food beyond traditional bar fare. For beer, try their “Don’t Hassle the Hef” hefeweizen or their “Colorado Pale Ale.” From their food menu, give the “House Made Green Chili” and/or “Roast Pork Sandwich” a try.
1617 Miner St.
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Recommended Hiking Apparel and Gear
Ten Essentials
When hiking in Colorado, you should always be prepared for sudden changes in weather, especially on 14er hikes. Therefore, you should carry the appropriate type and amount of gear, clothing, food, water, and other essentials. For certain, make sure that your packing list includes the Ten Essentials. It’s best to always be prepared!
Lightweight Hiking Shoes
The Arc’teryx Aerios FL GTX hiking shoe lineup offers a good balance between weight and foot protection. These are great for scrambles and are constructed with Goretex so you don’t have to worry about damp feet if the weather turns or you have to splash through puddles along the way.
Hiking Pants
We love prAna’s hiking pants for their quality and versatility. Indeed, their Zion (for men) and Halle (for women) are great on- and off-trail, especially for travel. Constructed with a durable UPF-50 fabric, a water-repellant finish, and utility pockets, these have become a staple in our wardrobe. Remember that it can be rather chilly at at alpine elevations, so consider hiking pants rather than shorts (both for warmth and sun protection).
Hiking Shirt
It can get chilly during alpine outings, particularly when you start early in the morning. Therefore, we typically opt for a long sleeve but lightweight shirt to keep us warm when it’s cold, but keeps us cool when we are working up a sweat later in the day. The no-cotton rule applies to shirts just as it does for pants and other articles of clothing.
Our preferred hiking shirt in the summer is Outdoor Research’s Echo Hoody because of its UPF sun protection qualities and lightweight (4oz.) breathable construction. The shirt has a hood for added neck protection and has thumbholes to protect your hands from sun exposure, if you opt to not wear sun gloves. Outdoor Research also makes different varieties of the Echo shirt (e.g., quarter zip, long sleeve without hood, t-shirt, etc.) if you prefer another style.
Insulated Jacket
The Arc’teryx Atom is easily our favorite insulated jacket. Yes, there may be lighter weight alternatives on the market, but we love the style, fit, packability, and function. Wear the Atom during early morning starts or when you reach the mountain summit. It’s a great addition to an outdoors wardrobe and comes in handy when the temperature dips.
Hiking Socks
For most of our hiking needs, we like Darn Tough socks over the multitude of options on the market. They last long and have an ironclad guarantee. In addition, Darn Tough has a variety of designs, ankle lengths, and cushioning options to choose from. We like the Hiker quarter length with light cushioning.
Headwear/Face Covering
We often wear a Buff as a neck gaiter to protect from the sun, given its UPF 50 protective construction. Buffs are also a great option to use as a face covering on the trail. In fact, there are 12+ ways of wearing a Buff, so it’s a versatile piece of gear.
Day Pack
To summit Mount Bierstadt, we like Deuter’s Speed Lite 20L for its lightweight design and versatility. This pack has enough storage for a day hike and comes with ample compartments to aid in equipment/content organization. In addition, side pockets are available to store Nalgene bottles or other equipment, but it also is hydration reservoir compatible. We think the 20L version has the perfect capacity, though Deuter does make smaller and larger sizes.
Trekking Poles
Although trekking poles are optional and a matter of preference, we prefer to use them for added stability. We recommend choosing the lightest weight poles your budget can afford. The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z is our top choice due to its extremely lightweight construction. Our comprehensive review can be found here. If you are seeking just one pole, rather than two, consider Gossamer Gear’s LT5, which can be purchased individually.
Helmet
There are plenty of good, versatile helmets in the market place, but we favor Petzl’s helmets for mixed use – mountaineering, climbing, etc. Plus, Petzl is known for making high quality climbing equipment and is a brand we trust with such a vital piece of safety gear. The Petzl Sirocco is our go-to option for its comfort and design, but Petzl has a wide array of quality helmets at various price points.
Recommended Books
In our opinion, the best guidebook for information on Colorado’s 14er mountains is Gerry Roach’s Colorado’s Fourteeners: From Hikes to Climbs. All other guidebooks pale in comparison. Thus, this book will suit you well for hiking Mount Bierstadt, and come in handy for any future 14er adventures.
Although the West Slopes route to Mount Bierstadt is very straightforward, we always recommend carrying a map such as the Mount Evans Wilderness – Colorado Topographic Hiking Map from Outdoor Trail Maps. In addition, we included a couple of our favorite field guides for plant and bird identification. These guides provide useful information that adds to the outdoors experience and help answer questions about animal and flower species.
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