Mt. Bierstadt Trip Report 09/14/2007

Peak(s):	Mt. Bierstadt - 14,066 feet
Date Posted:	09/14/2007
Date Climbed:	09/12/2007
Author:	Gra8ful

Mt. Bierstadt - Standard Route
Mt Bierstadt Trip Report - Standard Route My first trip report, thus, please excuse the possibility that it might be edited a couple of times as I add photos and refresh my memory. As this is considered one of the easiest summits, not much to offer in the way of guidance. The report below contains little significant info about the trail itself. The most valuable bit would be regarding the road conditions. First, if you have the option, use the Guanella Pass approach from Grant, off of 285. We went up from this side, and down the other. Considerably better road conditions on the southern approach. Only one road crew on this side and had zero delays. The road has been repaved for a stretch of a couple miles, and this southern route was in the best condition I have ever seen possible. The northern side of the pass, from the parking area at the trailhead through to Georgetown, still has significant work being done. There are multiple crews that appear to be working primarily on the guardrails. There were three sections with flaggers. And although we experienced no delays, that could certainly change at any time. In addition, the road itself was still very poor in many spots, with significant potholes, etc. The southern route was clearly the best. The parking lot had only 5-6 vehicles, so we felt lucky that there would be no crowds on this day. My son Andrew (Goose) and I began at 8:30 under clear, dry conditions. The trail was dry all the way to the summit, including the initial mile through the Gomer Creek section. We made the summit at 11:30, hung out for some photos and snacks, and headed back down at 12 noon. We returned to the TH at 2 pm. I am still amazed at how well this day went. We spent a lot of time talking about the trail etiquette and all things necessary to make it a successful day, summit or not. We made sure to eat and drink regularly, and never suffered any signs of AMS along the way, only the usual muscle fatigue that is common for those with less experience at this. We must have stopped 15-20 times along the ascent. Whenever he felt the need to stop, Goose would set a new goal further up the mountain - a pole, a cairn, or just the next major landmark - and continue to the new mark. He made every goal, including the summit. I couldn't be more proud. Along the way, a few things came up that I didn't have the answer for. I'll post them here and in the forum. Please forgive any redundancy. Why are there 8-10 ft poles at varying spots along the trail and then rock cairns? Further along? I presume to mark the trail. But, as my son asked, why don't they use the same thing all the way? What is the proper thing to do when you find a jacket left behind at the top of the mountain? We left it there, not knowing if someone was hiking the sawtooth (or something else) and would be returning for it. How about a water bottle, empty, ditched into the brush, about 500 yards from the TH? What should we have done? We ended up leaving both. How about shells from pistachios? We found a rather large pile about halfway down the trail. Yes, they are natural and would degrade....eventually. Given that I was teaching the ethos of 'Leave No Trace', we picked up every one and carted them back down the hill. Thanks in advance for your feedback. Gra8ful and Goose. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Mt. Bierstadt - Standard Route

Mt Bierstadt Trip Report - Standard Route

My first trip report, thus, please excuse the possibility that it might be edited a couple of times as I add photos and refresh my memory.

As this is considered one of the easiest summits, not much to offer in the way of guidance. The report below contains little significant info about the trail itself. The most valuable bit would be regarding the road conditions.

First, if you have the option, use the Guanella Pass approach from Grant, off of 285. We went up from this side, and down the other. Considerably better road conditions on the southern approach. Only one road crew on this side and had zero delays. The road has been repaved for a stretch of a couple miles, and this southern route was in the best condition I have ever seen possible.

The northern side of the pass, from the parking area at the trailhead through to Georgetown, still has significant work being done. There are multiple crews that appear to be working primarily on the guardrails. There were three sections with flaggers. And although we experienced no delays, that could certainly change at any time. In addition, the road itself was still very poor in many spots, with significant potholes, etc.

The southern route was clearly the best.

The parking lot had only 5-6 vehicles, so we felt lucky that there would be no crowds on this day. My son Andrew (Goose) and I began at 8:30 under clear, dry conditions. The trail was dry all the way to the summit, including the initial mile through the Gomer Creek section. We made the summit at 11:30, hung out for some photos and snacks, and headed back down at 12 noon. We returned to the TH at 2 pm.

I am still amazed at how well this day went. We spent a lot of time talking about the trail etiquette and all things necessary to make it a successful day, summit or not. We made sure to eat and drink regularly, and never suffered any signs of AMS along the way, only the usual muscle fatigue that is common for those with less experience at this.

We must have stopped 15-20 times along the ascent. Whenever he felt the need to stop, Goose would set a new goal further up the mountain - a pole, a cairn, or just the next major landmark - and continue to the new mark. He made every goal, including the summit. I couldn't be more proud.

Along the way, a few things came up that I didn't have the answer for. I'll post them here and in the forum. Please forgive any redundancy.

Why are there 8-10 ft poles at varying spots along the trail and then rock cairns? Further along? I presume to mark the trail. But, as my son asked, why don't they use the same thing all the way?

What is the proper thing to do when you find a jacket left behind at the top of the mountain? We left it there, not knowing if someone was hiking the sawtooth (or something else) and would be returning for it. How about a water bottle, empty, ditched into the brush, about 500 yards from the TH? What should we have done? We ended up leaving both.

How about shells from pistachios? We found a rather large pile about halfway down the trail. Yes, they are natural and would degrade....eventually. Given that I was teaching the ethos of 'Leave No Trace', we picked up every one and carted them back down the hill.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Gra8ful and Goose.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Tadas	Congrats Goose! 11/30/2010 5:28pm Way to go Goose! Keep it up and don't worry about any of those stupid video games - real mountains are cooler!
Aubrey	Keep climbing! 11/30/2010 5:28pm great TR and great info. It sounds like you approach 14ers cautiously and respectfully, which is the best way, IMO. And knowing that you're teaching these values/morals to your son is right on. Overall, I think 14er climbers are very respectful of the mountains ... but there are a few bad apples. On just about every climb I've been on I find a piece of trash or two and pack it out. I'm sure some of it was accidental, but there are people out there that just don't get it. Regarding left-behind items, it's hard to say. Sometimes people stash trekking poles, backpacks or whatever below harder, last-stretches of summits, but I haven't heard of anyone leaving stuff on summits to retrieve later (unless that summit is on the way to another, and one that they'll return to on their way back). As for cairns ... I wouldn't know where to begin. There's a lot of controversy attached to them. Personally, I've found that I love them sometimes and hate them other times. Some really help you out; some misdirect you entirely. Some are obscenely large eye sores. But at least they're constructed of natural materials. I'm all for Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly! And I'm glad you are, too. Keep climbing, climbers!
HarryQuach	Markers 2/5/2011 12:22am Cairns are used to mark the trail generally above treeline where trails usually fade. They have a great lost and found section on this site that many people use. Odds are that if you post missing items they may be claimed by the owner. Other than that congrats on a great hike.

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