-Mt. Bierstadt Winter Attempt-

Elevation: 14,060 ft.

Date Hiked: 12-2-2005

Trip Report:
This was my first attempt on Mt. Bierstadt and it happened to be in the middle of a strong winter storm. As soon as we got to the trailhead I knew our chances of summiting were slim. The winds were strong and it was overcast most of the trip.

Mt. Bierstadt from Guanella Pass

We left Lakewood at 5 AM and drive in the dark to the top of Guanella Pass. It was snowing lightly when we arrived at the trailhead. We were the only car there when we left on the trail. The progress was quick despite the cold and snow. The wooden bridges were covers in fresh snow as well as most of the trail. We had to bushwhack through the willows a few times because we lost the trail. As we progressed it became a white out all around.

Mt. Bierstadt from Scott Gomer Creek

The view back toward the trailhead

The wind picked up once we got beyond the willows. Around 12,500 feet one of the people I was hiking with was not feeling well and was getting cold. We decided to turn back because the weather was getting worse as well.

The Wind

The Summit From My Highpoint

Wind Sculpted Snow

Me From My Highpoint

Mt. Bierstadt from the Car

We made it back to the car without incident. It snowed the entire way down to Georgetown and back to Lakewood. This was a great trip for an intro to winter mountaineering in Colorado.