Mt Bierstadt is a challenge!
It’s a seemingly leisurely 7 mile round trip, but – At an elevation gain of 2,850ft, Mt Bierstadt is an extremely difficult hike. We recommend that only experienced hikers take the challenge. As always, if you are feeling weak or dizzy, take a rest. If you’re not feeling better with a short rest, consider resting longer then slowly making your way back.
Mt Bierstadt Trail is a fourteener that is one of Colorado’s most accessible, popular and well-maintained. The direct route up the mountain can be for experienced mountain climbers as well as casual day hikers.
From the parking lots on Guanella Pass Road the trail begins toward the east and Mt. Bierstadt. The trail leads down into the valley toward the base of the mountain and moves through willow thicket and over Gomer Creek via wooden bridge and rock foot holds.
This is an easy meandering part of the trail and if you’re not ambitious enough to climb the entire fourteener, a casual hike through this area has breathtaking scenery too.
The ascent begins after hiking through the willow thickets (about 1/2 mile). The upward climb follows a few switchbacks through the tundralike surroundings. The grasses are short and the wildflowers are low to the ground.
As you follow the well-maintained trail, look for wildlife like Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep and mountain goats. They both blend in with the coloring of the hills so sometimes are hard to catch site of.
The trail continues to lead up! At times, it is straight up and you’ll definitely have to exert yourself. The trail becomes more rugged the higher up the mountain you get. Be sure to bring a lot of water for this hike. We hiked in summer and it took about 5 hours up and back including a long rest at the summit.
As you approach the summit you will notice the trail is covered in rock/boulders and possibly snow. Follow the trail toward the summit (toward the northeast). Scramble over the rock field to the summit where there is an official summit and elevation marker.
Stay awhile on top. Eat lunch. Take some photos or video. It’s one of Colorado’s best hikes.
Hike this trail early in the morning to avoid afternoon storms. Lightening and snow storms are not uncommon even in summer. The best time of year to hike this trail is mid summer after the snow has melted. If you are an experienced mountaineer, you’ll know what gear to bring for snowier months.
If you like the Mt Bierstadt Trail, other trails in this area you may like: Rosalie Trail, Square Tops Lake Trail, Sporting Times Trail, Silver Dollar Lake Trail.
For Guanella Pass Road Seasonal Conditions and Closure times click Colorado Dept. of Transport
Attractions:
Need a place to stay near this hike? Try Hotel Chateau Chamonix in the histroic, Victorian town of Georgetown, Rose Street Bed and Breakfast, Silver Queen Bed and Breakfast, OR The Horstmann House Bed and Breakfast. Georgetown is a great little old mining town where you can get great homemade ice cream, candy, a nice park, and an old railroad train you can ride. A very fun place, good place to grab lunch, or do what we do and get a good waffle cone after the hike!
Gretchen says
June 3, 2011 at 8:26 pmMary – has Guanella Pass been reopened to the summit from Georgetown? I thought you still had to go up from the Grant side?
Anonymous says
June 3, 2011 at 9:27 pmGood question. I thought it was going to reopen this year, but I’ll need to check on that. Thanks for catching that…the website needs up-to-date info!!
-Mary
Mary Norton says
June 3, 2011 at 9:40 pmGuanella Pass Rd. from Georgetown to the top of Guanella Pass was to reopen May 27, 2011. Click CDOT for all details of further summer construction on the road. http://www.coloradodot.info/travel
Myglassguitar says
July 11, 2011 at 6:34 pmI am going up tomorrow and I’m so excited! thank you so much for the descriptions and the pictures. It made my choice pretty easy on which peak i wanted to tackle.
Tim Norton says
July 13, 2011 at 5:08 amLet us know how it went!
RadGnar says
July 14, 2011 at 6:29 amIn fear of Guanella Pass being closed, I did Greys and Torrey’s peak instead. I got some amazing pictures while I was up there and also got charged at by a beautiful mountain goat (which I also got pictures of.) Id love to share them with anyone who wants to check them out. This site rocks an I’m really happy I stumbled on it!! Happy trails everybody!
Mary Norton says
July 14, 2011 at 9:51 amExcellent!
Tim Norton says
May 31, 2012 at 10:06 pmHi, I know you posted this a while ago, but if you want to share the picture on the site, we’d be happy to attribute you with a link. Just let me know. Thanks!
Denver Chiropractor says
January 12, 2012 at 8:13 amCan’t wait to do this one this summer! It’s been on the goal list for awhile.
Mhorning79 says
May 7, 2012 at 9:35 pmI am so happy I found this sight. I am a beginner hiker and have dreams of doing beirstst this July. I need to find training trails that are safe enough to bring my babies in packs
Mary Norton says
May 7, 2012 at 11:16 pmMost of the trails listed here are pretty moderate. The fourteeners are,
by far, the most challenging. We have hiked all of these trails with
kids on our backs (except the fourteeners).
Some of our favorites are:
Chief Mountain Trail
Bergen Peak Trail
Silver Dollar Lake Trail
Old Ski Run Trail
Eagle’s View Trail
Three Mile Creek Trail
Kenosh Pass – Colorado Trail
I think that any hiking is going to be good training!
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Pam says
May 25, 2018 at 10:56 pmCan someone tell me how far is it to the plateu at bierstadt? My husband wants to do s hike with our 3 grandchildren any myself