Bierstadt East Ridge, Sawtooth

[Addywilliams]

Ok I can not find this anywhere for some reason...Does anyone know the total distance to do the East Ridge of Bierstadt then going over to Evans via the Sawtooth? And about how long average does this route take?

Thanks.

[dogballs]

Did this route last year. Took me roughly 6hrs to do the loop. Total distance was around 6.75miles according to Google Earth. Here is a link to the report.

http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/peakstatu ... ecnum=5442" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Have fun

[bichito]

I did it 8 weeks ago. I would skip Sawtooth/Evans and return back after B's summit. The fun parts are behind you and an ant-like line waits for you all the way to Evans.

[Phill the Thrill]

Gerry Roach says it's 4.9 miles, but I think my GPS indicated something more like 5.7 miles for some reason. I finished in 6 hrs with a 40-minute break at Mt. Bierstadt. It's a fun route, and you're unlikely to see more than a couple people until you arrive at Bierstadt summit, and then you'll suddenly see a hundred or more. It's approx 3,000 elevation gain, and is commonly known as the "Tour d'Abyss" route.

[Addywilliams]

Awesome thank you! Looking forward to it! I saw on the link people were recommending parking at the summit of Evans. Would I still do the same route going down the gully first?

[thurs]

Awesome thank you! Looking forward to it! I saw on the link people were recommending parking at the summit of Evans. Would I still do the same route going down the gully first?

Yup.

[bdloftin77]

It's often called the Tour de Abyss. My GPS said 6.8 miles.

http://www.14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... ss#p613084" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But yes, if you choose, you can also go down the slope of Bierstadt toward Abyss Lake (the lake between Bierstadt's E ridge and Evans), go back down the valley, back up the gully, and skip the Sawtooth/Evans if you choose. There's a trail that goes up the valley, paralleling the E Ridge, toward Abyss Lake, called the Abyss Trail. You can follow that back down to the gully if you skip Evans.

If you look at the link, I posted my GPS tracks.

[JQDivide]

But yes, if you choose, you can also go down the slope of Bierstadt toward Abyss Lake .

That's 1,000-feet of suck.

Do the Tour. Park at the summit, walk back down to the gully from there. Finish back at the parking lot on top.

JQ

[Phill the Thrill]

I did it 8 weeks ago. I would skip Sawtooth/Evans and return back after B's summit. The fun parts are behind you and an ant-like line waits for you all the way to Evans.

I would do the entire loop - I think the Sawtooth is rather enjoyable.

Also, you can park at the summit but that will cost you $15. On the other hand, if you drive up there before first light and park at the pullout near the Epaulet/Evans saddle ...

[Double Oh Seven]

I saw on the link people were recommending parking at the summit of Evans. Would I still do the same route going down the gully first?

I wouldnt park at the summit. We did this route a week ago and drove up the night before and slept at the pullout in our cars. The summit parking lot is a s**tshow with limited parking for the tourists. We just hitched a ride from the top and the got the third car to stop. 6 miles and 6 hours was about right for our group. The route was a lot of fun.

[bdloftin77]

I parked at the pullout/switchback near the Epaulet/Evans saddle. After getting the summit of Evans near the end, just walked down the slope to the car. 6-8 hours might be a good time estimate

[Cruiser]

But yes, if you choose, you can also go down the slope of Bierstadt toward Abyss Lake .

That's 1,000-feet of suck.

Troof! I did that once due to some concerns over early storms. No fun at all...