Beginner solo hiking on Mt Bierstadt

[Carol18ga]

I have never done a 14er but planning on doing Mt Bierstadt beginning of September. I have done several long hikes in the smokies and Europe but nothing higher then 6,500 ft. None of my family of friends are fans of hiking so I will have to attempt this by myself. Has anybody done this Mt Bierstadt solo as beginner ? If so any advice

[nyker]

It's a good starter peak to try to test yourself up high assuming you have a modest amount of aerobic fitness and a good night sleep or two beforehand. Ideally you can be in Colorado a couple of days before you try it to acclimatize "a bit" before you head up.
On the more popular route, the TH is already quite high at 11.6k and gain less than 3,000 vert with plenty of opportunity to turn around with little consequence and around Labor Day you won't be alone.

[Pwrfghtr08]

I haven't done it solo but on Bierstadt going solo won't be a problem, its basically a conga line all the way to the summit.

[Skimo95]

It’s a great first peak. 6 years ago this mountain fueled a pretty wild obsession that I’m finally learning how to moderate I would recommend hiking something 9-12k the day prior.

[seannunn]

Same things everyone else has said. Good first peak. Start early (5am or before) to avoid lightning. Take plenty of water, and drink it. You won't be alone on Bierstadt in early September. Get acclimated for a day or more before if at all possible.
One more thing: Don't be fooled by the stupidity of others. If the weather looks bad, turn around early. The fact that others will continue to go up regardless of weather doesn't make it smart. But if you start early, you likely won't have to face that.

Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO

[JSFromKY]

I haven't done Bierstadt solo, but I did hike Mt Evans from Guanella Pass (same TH). That was harder because I had to make my way through the willows without the benefit of the boardwalk. Don't know how things have changed since then, as it was over 20 years ago.

Way back when I lived in Colorado, I took a buddy up his first 14er at Bierstadt. We were approaching the summit when a couple with a young daughter were on the way down. I asked the girl how old she was, and she replied 7. I turned to my buddy and he muttered some 4-letter words under his breath. If she can do it, so can you.

I would like to add that spending a couple of nights in the Denver area may help a bit with acclimatization if you're coming up from sea level, but it would probably be better if you could stay above, say, 8000 feet. My own experience was that living in Denver at 5000 feet or so didn't really help all that much when I hit the 14ers. Good luck.

[Ptglhs]

"Solo" on Mt Bierstadt isn't a thing, unless you bushwack from the side of a road, staying off trails the whole time, and go Nov/Dec during the week, during a blizzard. The fewest people I've ever seen up there was 9, and it was mid-week during the winter.

Bierstadt in July was my 3rd 14er. Unless you get some weird issues with elevation you'll be fine. If you don't want to go solo you can always reach out here or the facebook group to see if anyone is hiking that day you want to go with.

[pw]

Bierstadt is a very good first fourteener, and as others have said, you won't quite be alone. No route finding involved, it's clear where to go the entire way. I'd say the only way to get into trouble would be weather related. Start pretty early, 5 am probably not necessary, but 6 or 7 anyway (we have days, like the last 3 here, where you could start at noon, but best not to guess on when that might happen). The only situation where I'd say you should delay for a day is if we have one of our unusual but not impossible days where the top is socked in with clouds. You can get a little disoriented in those conditions.

[Monte Meals]

Bring a bottle of Champagne and share it with everyone on the summit with you !

Remember - you are only a 14er virgin once !

[mtree]

I climb it solo all the time. Essentially its my training peak. There will be lots of others if its a weekend. A weekday, much fewer. I was up there Thursday and there were only 2 others on the summit until I finally left. You might even find the summit to yourself if you're lucky! I have multiple times. As mentioned, the trail is very straightforward, but a couple areas may be confusing to the uninitiated especially if you're solo.

1) After crossing the creek you'll be zig zagging through the willows as you climb higher. At one point you'll encounter a T which may cause you to wonder. Stay to the right on the much stronger trail.

2) When you reach the ridge crest you'll head for the summit pitch. Exactly what line you pick is confusing as there are multiple cairns. As long as you're going upward you'll get there. Many folks choose the left/west side. I prefer staying closer to the ridge crest and climbing the boulders (right/south side). Its easy scrambling and you get to use your arms a bit. Just stay away from the cliffs to the east. It eventually joins the final push to the summit.

September should be a great time of year. Although thunderstorms are possible there's much fewer of them. But snow is possible!

[Carol18ga]

Thank you!!
Great advice, I will keep it mind and if I do not find a hiking partner I will attempt it anyways but make sire to be as prepared as I cN

[ejfred]

I would echo the advice to start early to try and beat any weather that might come in. I would say starting around 5 is wise, and keep an eye on any clouds. Have fun!