Mount Bierstadt, Colorado

January 2006







Mount Bierstadt, 14,060 ft.



Mount Bierstadt is one of Colorado's fifty-four, fourteen thousand foot mountains or a "14er".  Bierstadt is located very close to Denver, the high trailhead is easily accessible by car, and the climbing route is relatively easy.  This makes Mt. Bierstadt a very popular destination for Denverites in the summer.  Bierstadt is also a relatively easy winter climb. So to avoid the Denver crowds and bump up the difficulty a bit, we decided on Bierstadt for our annual winter 14er climb.  Join us with our www.SummitPost.org friends for a climb of this mountain in the heart of the Front Range.


Photo by Alan Ellis
The first part of our climb involved a hike through the snow-filled willow patch of Bierstadt's northwest side.  Here, SummitPost members head off from the trailhead at sunrise.


Photo by Alan Ellis
Jackie negotiates the willow patch.  Ultimately, we did not need snowshoes because other climbers had broken trail for us; however, we carried them for most of our climb (just in case).


Photo by Barry Raven
Mt. Bierstadt looms above in the early morning light.  Tiny climber dots can be seen in the lower left of the photo.  The thick willow patch is more evident.
Photo by Barry Raven


Photo by Barry Raven
Jackie (red) and Alan (yellow) head up Bierstadt's west slope.
The summit ridge can be seen in the background.
Photo by Barry Raven


Photo by Barry Raven
Jackie nears the summit with the beautiful Colorado mountains behind her to the west.
Photo by Barry Raven


Photo by Matt Pfeiffer
Our friend, Kane Engelburt, takes the last few steps to the summit.
Photo by Matt Pfeiffer


Photo by Barry Raven
It was finally nice to climb a winter peak in good weather.  Previously, the weather has been bad during our winter climbs and we were not afforded a view.  Luckily, today was different.
Photo by Barry Raven


Photo by Barry Raven
We are heading down the mountain after a long day.  Most of the other climbers in our group had finished, but (as usual) we had difficulty with the altitude and were taking up the rear of the pack.
Photo by Barry Raven


Photo by Barry Raven
This is our group of fellow climbers from www.SummitPost.org.  We enjoyed meeting and climbing with everyone at this annual gathering.  If interested in climbing Mount Bierstadt in winter or summer, click on the SummitPost link for more info.  Thanks to Matt, Barry, and Andy, for the use of their photos and video.
See you next winter!
Photo by Barry Raven






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