9/8/2013 Route: Bierstadt, Sawtooth, Blue Sky Posted On: 9/9/2013, By: rlaur001 Info: Nice and dry conditions along the entire route. Packed on the way up Bierstadt (as expected because it was a Sunday), but only encountered about 7 other people on the sawtooth (but we encountered nobody on the trail from the sawtooth to Evans). When crossing the sawtooth, take the high path up above the large rock. This way you avoid all the loose dirt below it. Gully was in good shape, but lots of areas with loose dirt. Once you descended into the willows, it was miserably muddy. Staying above the lakes tended to help some. Expect your shoes to be covered in mud by the end. And watch out for the deeper mud pits; occasionally we‘d step into mud deeper than shoe height. |
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8/17/2013 Route: Bierstadt, Sawtooth, Blue Sky Posted On: 8/17/2013, By: appleseeds Info: Everything was dry over the Sawtooth and up to Evans. The route through the gully during the return to Guanella Pass was sufficiently worn and cairned that we had no trouble following the route. The willows, on the other hand, were a dreadful, muddy mess and there were many places where people had tried to route around the mud, creating a number of confusing side trails. |
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7/9/2013 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 7/9/2013, By: crazymarmot Info: From Evans, though East Ridge, down Abyss lake, back up the Evans - Epaulet gully. The only snow that was encountered was in a few small spots of the Bierstadt - Sawtooth traverse, very easy to avoid. In the Abyss basin, all creeks are flowing pretty good, but crossing them is no problem, and can be done fairly easy. Tons of wildflowers! No issues on the ridge itself. |
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7/4/2013 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 7/5/2013, By: GMorgan21 Info: Trail is completely clear except a very small patch of snow on the final summit pitch, other than that it was clear. Early in the morning the bridges near the trailhead had some frost and were slippery. |
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6/25/2013 Route: Bierstadt, Sawtooth, Blue Sky Posted On: 6/25/2013, By: Lizard_Elizabeth Info: Almost no snow up to Bierstadt, occasional ice patch where water melts across route in afternoon. Final summit ascent is covered with snow, this morning was nice packed, like styrofoam. Snow on path leading to Sawtooth, was soft this morning and slight post holing. Small snow patches along Sawtooth but avoidable. No snow on technical scramble if following lower route and no snow on ledge. Some ice where snow is melting on Evans route. Willow maze at bottom of gully is unavoidably muddy. That whole last segment is a maze, staying left let me avoid water depths higher than my soles. Aim route toward Bierstadt parking lots to keep from going too close to lakes and too far back up Bierstadt slope. Will add pictures tomorrow. |
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6/16/2013 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 6/16/2013, By: wcropp Info: Standard route information as of 6.16.2013 - the route starts out pretty muddy but the foot bridges help, if you‘re careful you can avoid most of it. The mud starts to dissipate with the gains - the route does have some snow melt but nothing too crazy. As previously reported, around the 12,500 mark there is some good packed snow, but very sparse and only in 2 main areas on the West slopes, I had my spikes but did not need them. The summit ridge also has some snow, hard and packed, you can veer left and avoid or go that route but I would suggest traction. |
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6/14/2013 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 6/14/2013, By: Cruiser Info: Went for a quick trip up and down the standard route on Bierstadt this morning. The lower trail is muddy in between the footbridges. Higher up had some water running down the trail but nothing too significant. The creek crossing is manageable though I was glad to have waterproof boots since a couple of the stepping stones were still submerged. The upper trail is still holding a few small snowfields. When I passed through everything was still thoroughly frozen but later in the day they will surely soften up. I didn‘t use or want for any traction aids, boots had enough purchase on their own. The snow should be able to be mostly avoided with a little creative route finding on the slope leading up to the final summit ridge. The sawtooth was mostly snow free although there were a couple of snowfields hanging around on the east side just past the low point of the ridge. The ledges appeared to be pretty much snow free. CFI had multiple crews out doing maintenance this morning. Be sure to thank them for their hard work if you happen to run across them. |
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6/12/2013 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 6/12/2013, By: BigfootUSAF Info: The route was snow-free up until 12,500 or so, but most of that is avoidable nor is it really deep at all. My microspikes were helpful, however, on the final summit pitch. I kept to the right on the final pitch and walked up some good, packed snow. It wasa great day and the trail was in good shape! There were muddy spots on the first part of the trail, but with careful hiking most of that can be avoided.... |
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6/8/2013 Route: Bierstadt, Sawtooth, Blue Sky Posted On: 6/8/2013, By: Mike Cormier Info: It took me 8.5 hrs. to do about 11.25 miles. Gear: microspikes and poles. The hike to Bierstadt was straightforward - the creek running pretty strong, without poles I‘d have gotten wet (but I‘m also pretty short). Microspikes very helpful (and required for the Sawtooth). #1 is a look at the Sawtooth from the summit of Bierstadt. #2 is a climber (great to meet you, Anthony) descending the snow slope. The snow was not too deep, but a slip would be punished (should have taken the axe). #3 is a look at the ledge. There are sporadic cairns, but ok if you take your time. Some snow coverage, though, in awkward places. #4 shows the the willow country ahead. This shot was taken west of where you would drop down the gully into the drainage (Bill‘s route on this site). I did not take this route. I kept going northwest, gradually dropping down to Scott Gomer Cr. There, I met Joseph (thanks for the great conversation) and together we went west and got back on the main Bierstadt trail. Pretty wet....a bit over my ankles. A great day. |
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5/25/2013 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 5/25/2013, By: DoWork Info: *was off summit by 8:30am. Carried snowshoes entire way but did not use them (could have up and down above the willows, but really was not needed). Was a great hike with firm snow. Would not want to be out there past 11am. |
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5/21/2013 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 5/21/2013, By: Jay521 Info: Good packed trail all the way up that held up well until noon. I did not take, nor did I need snowshoes, but spikes were helpful. The real crux is the stream crossing. After noon, the snow started getting pretty soft so anyone going up late probably would be wise to carry some sort of flotation. |
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5/18/2013 Route: Posted On: 5/19/2013, By: MissH Info: Road to TH still closed although free of ice/snow. Still lots of snow as soon as you hit the trail, mostly compact. Made for easy "attack" up the summit - just head for the summit! Sun hid away most of day allowing me to get by with just the spikes. Postholing I did in the willows was tolerable so I didn't bother wearing the snowshoes I carried. Creek was easier to jump over in the morning. On the descent I and two other ladies had trouble crossing due to the melting "creek bank" and we all three took an afternoon dip. Fortunately it was only 1 hour of wet feet for me and at least I stayed warm most of the time. Snow showers in the afternoon made me glad I was already on my descent. Great day! Photo looking towards Grays and Torreys and route up to summit. |
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5/12/2013 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 5/13/2013, By: DaveSwink Info: Skinned up from the winter gate on the Georgetown side. When we came down the snow on the road was melting very fast and will be gone from the road in a few days. The road will probably not be skiable Monday afternoon. There is still lots of snow from the trailhead, and a few trails are broken through the willows. Floatation is necessary to avoid lots of postholing. |
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5/5/2013 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 5/5/2013, By: esagas Info: Still plenty of snow up there. Snowshoes were very helpful, particularly around the willows and on the way down as the snow started to soften up. It was snowing when we left. |
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4/27/2013 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 4/27/2013, By: taylorzs Info: Skinned up Bierstadt today from the Guanella pass side and the summit ski is still in! As long as you do not mind a little Davenporting/billygoating. The snow will go quick though so get after it soon! Here is a link to the CAIC report I filed this afternoon on today‘s snow/avalanche conditions if anyone is interested in more detailed condition information; https://avalanche.state.co.us/obs/obs_report.php?obs_id=19636 . Will try to post some pics later, we shall see if I actually get to it. |
