Hiking Bierstadt in December

[FLGirlLovesCO]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I attempted Bierstadt in April of this year and it was covered in snow. I want to try it again. I am solo unless I can find someone to go with my December 13th. Is it advisable to just wait until next year and do it in the summer? I don't want to tackle loads and loads of snow again plus I would like a real chance at making the summit.

[ezabielski]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I attempted Bierstadt in April of this year and it was covered in snow. I want to try it again. I am solo unless I can find someone to go with my December 13th. Is it advisable to just wait until next year and do it in the summer? I don't want to tackle loads and loads of snow again plus I would like a real chance at making the summit.

Technically there might be less snow than in April, but there will still be "loads and loads" of snow. And it will probably be much colder. And a much shorter amount of daylight.

[mtree]

I won't discourage you from attempting one way or another. I'll just give my assessment of the climb and you can decide.
Expect a full-on "winter" ascent. Give yourself 7 to 8 hours to complete the quest. Realize you may encounter the unexpected so start around sunrise. The day is short. Guanella Pass road will likely be closed so that will add a couple miles round trip. That will take the hike into the 9 mile range. Very doable if you're in good shape, but not a walk in the park. Just know that a winter climb is a lot more grueling than a summer climb. It takes about twice the effort.

Using the West Slopes route you probably won't be the only one up there unless a storm is rolling in...but there will be very few hikers. The hike through the Willows area will likely require snowshoes. I'd bring them, along with warm boots and gaiters at a minimum. Snow pants even better. Dress for winter. Once out of the Willows you'll encounter packed snow, ice, dry trail segments, and maybe patches of deep snow. Depends on what previous storms left behind. Once on the plateau you may experience Bierstadt's bitter winter winds. Make certain you have all skin covered. That includes a face mask and goggles. Absolutely bring goggles...and sunglasses in the event of calm winds. The trail will likely be obvious until this point, but it'll start to fade. Deep snow is possible in areas.

As you make your way upwards you can see the summit. The summer trail zig zags to about 13,000. You may take a more direct line. At some point above 13,000 the trail will probably disappear and all you'll have to follow are a few boot tracks of others. This can be good or bad. Once past the Sawtooth's cliff cirque, you want to aim for Bierstadt's summit. Keep far to the right of the cliffs and meander upwards. I doubt you'll need an ice axe, but if you have one and know how to use it, it may come in handy. Otherwise trekking poles will be helpful. You'll be climbing a steep slope of packed snow. Microspikes may be useful as you approach the summit and definitely a great idea on your descent. Just aim for the summit and keep moving upwards. You'll approach the final summit pitch either head-on or slightly from the right, but not nearly as far from the right as the summer trail. Staying slighty to the right of the summit will keep you away from the cliffs and more difficult terrain. If you find yourself doing anything harder than the basic class 2 hiking you're off target. Fix it! Fast. You probably wandered too far left of the summit pitch.

The final 200 feet or so will either land you up to your waist in snow or standing on a rock. Be careful. Its basically a boulder field buried in snow. Check each step. Blowing out a knee up here would suck bad. Just keep climbing up and up. If you're lucky others will have already trenched a path to the top. You'll find the summit eventually! Take the same route down.

In addition to layers of winter gear, bring a compass or GPS in the event of snow, wind blown snow, or low cloud cover. Its easy to get disoriented up there. Even on Bierstadt, there are dangerous cliffs lurking nearby. Listen to your body and don't exhaust yourself. Its still a slog getting down. Bring plenty of water and DRINK OFTEN. You'll be dehydrating rapidly. If the weather forecast is less than stellar or a storm is coming in you may want to reconsider this endeavor and ride a chair lift instead. Hope this helps. Otherwise, enjoy!

[SkaredShtles]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I attempted Bierstadt in April of this year and it was covered in snow. I want to try it again. I am solo unless I can find someone to go with my December 13th. Is it advisable to just wait until next year and do it in the summer? I don't want to tackle loads and loads of snow again plus I would like a real chance at making the summit.

Technically there might be less snow than in April, but there will still be "loads and loads" of snow. And it will probably be much colder. And a much shorter amount of daylight.

This. If April conditions stopped you, they will all be worse now. Wait until next year.

[FLGirlLovesCO]

Thanks for the advice all. I am going to pass on a winter attempt and just wait it out until spring or summer. I am back in CO so often and feel like it will be much safer and warmer! You all bring up very good points. My last 14 in California was Shasta and I was with a group of people, great fun but it was also in June hence a lot less snow and the comfort of having other people with me. I guess I will just do some snowshoeing instead and enjoy some microbrews

[zackrobinson2]

Thanks for the advice all. I am going to pass on a winter attempt and just wait it out until spring or summer. I am back in CO so often and feel like it will be much safer and warmer! You all bring up very good points. My last 14 in California was Shasta and I was with a group of people, great fun but it was also in June hence a lot less snow and the comfort of having other people with me. I guess I will just do some snowshoeing instead and enjoy some microbrews

Have you thought about Quandary instead? The road is open nearly to the summer trailhead. If there isn't significant snowfall between now and next Friday, if you have appropriate attire and traction and if you can make a gametime decision based on the weather, Quandary might very well be doable for you. And there would likely be other people, too.

[jscully205]

I think you'll be fine on Bierstadt if you can tolerate the cold, potential wind, and a little longer hike in. It's easily done as day hike in the winter. You might get lucky with a trench going through the willows.

[STL_Preacher]

I'd like to jump from this if possible. Me and a buddy (both active, fit, outdoors folks) will be in Denver next week for work. We're planning on driving from St. Louis on Monday and (Lord willing) hiking Bierstadt Tues (May 7). Trying to do some research, and asking advice. It appears that you can drive in form the North to the camp ground. Then hike to the TH and on to the summit. We've got crampons and trekking poles. Hoping to be able to borrow/rent some snow shoes that morning (we'll get in late to Golden the night before). I haven't seen a report in a bit, but it looks like there has been some snow since the last one. Any advice or recommendations? I've hiked plenty in the Appalachians, but VERY limited experience in Rockies or anything above 6,000 (Did Emerald Lake [RMNP] in April two years ago). Any and all help is appreciated! Please and thank you!

Also, we'll be in a sprinter cargo van. Will this make it up to the road closure or will we need to rent a 4x4/truck? Thanks!

[polar]

We're planning on driving from St. Louis on Monday and (Lord willing) hiking Bierstadt Tues (May 7). ... Hoping to be able to borrow/rent some snow shoes that morning (we'll get in late to Golden the night before). ... I've hiked plenty in the Appalachians, but VERY limited experience in Rockies or anything above 6,000 (Did Emerald Lake [RMNP] in April two years ago). ... Also, we'll be in a sprinter cargo van. Will this make it up to the road closure or will we need to rent a 4x4/truck? Thanks!

A sprinter van is fine unless there has been recent snow. The road is plowed to the winter closure, so it will be mostly dry. If you drive in early in the morning, do watch out for black ice from melting water freezing over night.

REI rents snowshoes, but REI doesn't open until 9am on a weekday. By the time you got your snowshoes and get up to Guanella, it would be a really late start. And you definitely want snowshoes, otherwise you will hate life when you posthole your way across the willows. Crampons or even microspikes are optional on Bierstadt. I've done Bierstadt with snow a few times, and I've always just worn my snowshoes all the way to the summit.

If you want any chance of success, don't drive up from St. Louis (elevation 500 feet?) on day 1, and then try to get snowshoes in the morning and attempt Bierstadt on day 2. Give yourself at least a day of buffer, preferably more. Drive up from St. Louis on day 1, rent your snowshoes on day 2, drive up to Guanella and take a short hike/snowshoe in the afternoon. Stay in Georgetown or camp in your van, and try Bierstadt on day 3 starting right at dawn.

[Blamo]

"Give yourself at least a day of buffer, preferably more"

I second this advice. I vividly remember trying to catch our breath from just carrying our luggage up to our third floor condo in Breckenridge last year. I definitely feel like it was about day three when I finally started to get used to it.

I will also offer the advice that someone on this forum gave me when I was getting ready to come out there to do Bierstadt - check out the Chief Mountain trail. Its really short & easy and not far from Denver. You start at 10,700 and top out at 11,700. Nice little warm up hike.

[Will_E]

I’m on the fast side, my stats from January 10 this year.

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[uwe]

Special Considerations

Guanella Pass Road is closed at Naylor Lake on the Clear Creek County side and Burning Bear Campground on the Park County side.
The Guanella Pass Road information line at 303-679-2422, ext. 2, is available for updates.

-https://www.codot.gov/travel/scenic-byw ... nella-pass

P.S. I called and no info, just a recording mailbox full, please try another time.