Climbing Mount Bierstadt | Everything You Need To Know

Mount Bierstadt is located in the Mount Evans Wilderness. This is one of the easier 14’ers Colorado has to offer. It’s not intended for unfit individuals, but most people with a decent fitness level will be able to successfully climb to the summit of Mount Bierstadt.

Check Out Our Video From Climbing Mt. Bierstadt:

Hiking Stats For Climbing Mount Bierstadt:

• Distance: 6.9 miles
• Elevation: 2729 feet
• Difficulty: Hard
• Type: Out & back
• Permit: No
• Bathroom: At Trailhead
• Dogs: Yes

Trailhead At Mount Bierstadt:

How you get to the trailhead is by Interstate 70, taking the Georgetown exit and heading south on Guanella Pass.

The trailhead doesn’t have a very large parking lot for the demand of the hike, so you need to get there early (4-5 am on weekends) to ensure a spot in the parking lot, otherwise, people overflow along the road, sometimes up to a quarter-mile away!

Many people (like us) sleep in their car in the parking lot the night before in order to get an early start on the hike. From our perspective, 6-7am appears to be the busiest time to start the hike. You could go after that to let the majority of the crowd get up ahead of you.  But you don’t want to start much later than 9am because afternoon storms are very common on 14ers.

Start Of Mount Bierstadt Hike:

The start of the hike is right behind the bathroom. It’s a long hike up, so I’d suggest going to the bathroom before heading out.

The beginning of the hike is relatively flat so you won’t climb much in elevation. There’s a beautiful lake and surrounding marshy area that you cross to begin the hike.  From here you can see the summit of Mount Bierstadt in the background to the right. 

For the first ½ mile you will be on a well-maintained gravel path. Shortly after you will reach the willows which are wetlands, so you will have to stick to an elevated wooden walkway that keeps you from getting your feet wet. It is a very narrow path, so you will have to stop and squeeze by some groups.

River Crossing At Mount Bierstadt:

At about ¾ miles you will have to cross a river. There are big rocks placed along the way to avoid getting your feet wet.

Switchbacks Summiting Mt. Bierstadt:

About 1 ¼ miles into the hike you will approach the switchbacks which is where the elevation gain comes in. While you make your way up this section, the summit will disappear from view for a moment. From this point on, you will steadily be climbing the 2729 feet. 

There are plenty of places to pull off to the side and catch your breath. This is also the time where it’s best to go early in the morning, so you don’t have to keep passing/unpassing people.

The Ridge At Mount Bierstadt:

At about 2 miles, you will come over the top of the ridge you were switchbacking up and the summit will reveal itself again. From this point on, you will be able to see the summit all the way to the top.

Summit Of Mount Bierstadt:

When you are about a ¼ mile from the summit you will encounter a large scree field.

There is no longer a path and you will then need to scramble to the summit choosing the best path you see. When you reach the top, you will be at 14,060 feet!

Be prepared that there will most likely be higher winds in this area and the temperature will sometimes drop 10+ degrees. If you plan to hang out up top, it’s a good idea to pack extra layers.

Mount Evans (and Sawtooth):

When you reach the summit of Mount Bierstadt you will be facing Mount Evans (another 14er) to the North-East. Many people just admire it and then take the same path down to the parking lot, but some brave souls choose to cross over the sawtooth ridge to the summit of Mount Evans. 

When you reach Mt. Bierstadt you can continue on past the summit. This part is considered Class 3 scramble and can be difficult if you aren’t careful.

We turned around at this point, so we don’t have advice on this part, but be very careful. Make sure you do your research or talk to a ranger because there are some parts of the hike that you need to pay close attention to in order to cross over to Mount Evans successfully. 

For more information on the Sawtooth click HERE.

Hike Back Down:

If you don’t choose to do sawtooth, then you will just be going back down to the parking lot the same way you came up. You will have to scramble down to the path and most likely be passing a bunch of people that are on their way up.

Check out our article for trail etiquette & safety.

Backcountry Skiing At Mount Bierstadt:

Mount Bierstadt is still accessible in the winter for skier’s/snowboarders. This is for expert skiers and snowboarders only. This hike will be even tougher during the winter because you have to hike up the path in the snow with your gear on your back or skin up.

I would check the conditions before going up, to make sure there is enough snow coverage. Always go with a friend or tell someone where you are going and make sure you have all your backcountry gear to ensure your safety.

Takeaway | Summiting Mount Bierstadt:

Be prepared for all types of weather. Sometimes thunderstorms can come out of nowhere and you don’t want to be up on top of a mountain in the middle of one. Also, sometimes the weather can be warm and sunny at the start of the trailhead, but the temperature can change drastically from the bottom to the top. So bring layers for hanging out at the top. 

Climbing a 14er isn’t an easy task, so make sure you are up for the physical challenge. Even very athletic people can have trouble with altitude because of the lack of oxygen. So if you feel nauseous or lightheaded, try to rest, hydrate, or snack. In extreme cases, you may need to turn back. 

Remember to Leave No Trace and take lots of photos!

For TONS of other great hikes in Colorado, check out our Colorado Page. 

Items To Pack:

• High Energy Snacks
• Hat
• Camera
• Extra Layers (depending on weather/time of year)

Also check out our post: 8 Essentials For Your Hiking Pack