| Peak: | Mt. Bierstadt |
| Route: | West Slopes |
| Range: | Front |
| Posted By: | sonofthegriz |
| Date of Info: | 7/26/2015 |
| Date Posted: | 7/27/2015 |
| Details |
|---|
|
Route was clear all the way to the top. The trail was dry, except for a couple small muddy sections which are easy to walk around and prevent further trail erosion. Crossing the creek wasn't a big deal but many of stepping stone rocks are/were under a little water so prepare to get your shoes a little wet if you're not wearing boots. CFI was performing trail work at the bottom of the first switchback section installing water bars. We knew there would be afternoon storms so we got an early start (5:20). The summit was clear at 9:30, with some wispy clouds forming up from a few different directions. By 10:30, the high clouds started forming up, with larger clouds over the summit and a small amount of rain at the trailhead by noon. Lots of people, enough to merit mention in a condition report. Many inexperienced folks were bottling up on the rocky sections near the top, causing a little delay or need to work around them, and at the stream crossing at the bottom. I've never been on a summit with ~100 other people before (this is my 7th 14er), that was a bit weird. Lots of unleashed dogs (a no-no in a Wilderness Area), my party of 2 had no issues with them beyond occasionally almost stepping on one or two coming from behind on the steep section of the final push. Goats were hanging out just below the summit. Mostly mellow except for one (couldn't tell if it was a billy or a nanny) which was being very territorial while being photographed. The attached photo shows most of the route. The hikers in the picture made for great trail buddies at the end of the day and their pup was leashed, under control, and very well-behaved. |
| Comments or Questions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
