| Difficulty: | Class 1 |
| Risk Factors: | Rockfall Potential: Moderate |
| Trailhead: | Guanella Pass |
| Start: | 11,669 feet |
| Summit: | 13,794 feet |
| Total Gain: | 2,400 feet |
| RT Length: | 6.5 |
| Author: | awake |
| Last Updated: | 10/2010 |
Square Top Mountain A
Southeast Ridge
Southeast Ridge
Climbing mountains is dangerous! Please read the Mountaineering Safety Page and make sure you have a map+compass and can use them effectively. A GPS or cell phone can be very helpful with navigation but you should still be able to use a map+compass in case your device stops working.
(WINTER) HOLD ON! If you don't have much high-elevation, winter climbing experience, be careful in your planning and take a partner. All 14er routes are more difficult and more dangerous in winter.
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Trailhead
From the north: Take the Georgetown exit off of Interstate 70. Drive through Georgetown and follow the signs for the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway. Drive 12 miles to the top of Guanella Pass (11,700') and park in one of the two large, paved parking areas on either side of the road. The Bierstadt trail starts near the parking area on the east side of the road. The upper parking area (on the west side of the pass) has restrooms.From the south: Take US 285 west from Denver or east from Fairplay. Drive to the town of Grant which is about 12 miles west of Bailey. In Grant, turn north on the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway and drive approx. 13 miles to Guanella Pass.
Route
From the top of Guanella Pass, find the trailhead near the restrooms in the upper parking lot (on the west side of the road) #1. Do not follow the crowds, most people will be heading towards Mt. Bierstadt (on the east side of the road). Shortly after starting, a sign #2 will direct you toward Square Top Mtn and Square Top Lake. Hike through the well marked trail over several wooden bridges - #3. Mt. Bierstadt and Mt. Evans will be visible behind you for most of the trail - #4.
You will come to a fork in the trail with a sign directing you to continue straight to Square Top Lakes in #5. Although not self-evident, you will want to take a left at this fork. Do not go towards Square Top Lakes. Continue hiking south following cairns and trail signs - #6. Soon you will reach a sign directing you to take a right for Square Top Mtn - #7.
From here on, there is no trail. Work your way up the ridge through the tundra - #8. The terrain is easy all the way to the top, but don't be fooled by false summits, such as in #9. The summit itself is very large, so be sure to take in the views from all angles. #10 shows the view from the summit looking east, and #11 shows the view looking west.
You will come to a fork in the trail with a sign directing you to continue straight to Square Top Lakes in #5. Although not self-evident, you will want to take a left at this fork. Do not go towards Square Top Lakes. Continue hiking south following cairns and trail signs - #6. Soon you will reach a sign directing you to take a right for Square Top Mtn - #7.
From here on, there is no trail. Work your way up the ridge through the tundra - #8. The terrain is easy all the way to the top, but don't be fooled by false summits, such as in #9. The summit itself is very large, so be sure to take in the views from all angles. #10 shows the view from the summit looking east, and #11 shows the view looking west.
Notes
Elevation gain and round-trip millage are approximations. Square Top Mountain will see significantly less traffic than the nearby 14ers.
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