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Please be kind - this is my first trip report; this was also my first (successful) 14er summit attempt.
Mt. Bierstadt
I left the Bierstadt trailhead at 6:00 AM - it was cold and windy, but not unreasonably so. Most of the mud was frozen solid and the snow was easy to cross. There were a few sections that were icy, but they were small and far between.
The snow along Scott Gomer Creek is almost completely melted, so crossing was easy.
There were a collection of snowy sections between SGC and the end of the willows, pictured below. The vast majority of the trail was frozen, easily traveled, and snow free.
Coming up over the shoulder allows for a very pretty view of The Sawtooth and Bierstadt and of course, the trail up to the ridge. The snow was still quite firm and easy to cross. Again, there were some icy sections in the snow, but nothing horrible.
Looking back down from whence I came.
After attaining the ridge and picking through the boulders, the summit was (finally) in sight. There were some steep sections of snow, but with trekking poles, the climb was easy (no snow shoes or other fancy footwear, just hiking boots). The snow was very solid when I went up and not icy.
And of course, pictures from the summit:
Torrey's and Grays (I think)
Evidence that I really did make it!!! (the bracelet my daughter made me, the d20 for my boyfriend)
The hike was long and tiring, but not necessarily difficult. The wind was brutal, but the hikers were friendly. There were several hikers who encouraged me on this adventure, and to them I am very, very grateful. My first successful 14er, and I hope to make many, many more.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Congrats on your first one. I am looking at doing Evans on sunday and your first pic really shows me the route I wanted to take, the gully to the left in your photo. Thanks for that! Again congrats on your first 14er.
Great 1st report, congrats on your 1st 14er and may you be blessed with many more safe summits! You are right that is Gray‘s/Torrey‘s in the next to last pic. If you get a chance do those this Summer, they are a fun and rewarding hike.
Thanks for the trip report. I plan on taking that same gully tomorrow that EatinHardtack is eyeing up for sunday. Less snow than I would have thought.
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