10/21/2012 Route: Bierstadt, Sawtooth, Blue Sky Posted On: 10/22/2012, By: Ryan00000 Info: The route to the top of Bierstadt (west slopes) had hard snow and ice in a few spots, but they were easily avoidable. I took microspikes, but I did not feel the need to put them on for this portion of the hike. I left the summit of Beirstadt to cross the Sawtooth Traverse to Sawtooth Mountain at 1040. I did not go all the way to Evans. There was approximately six inches of loose snow along the route in most places prior to the saddle at 13,300 feet. After that there was no snow, until the ledges on the West side of the traverse. There were a few spots it was unavoidable on the ledges, so use caution. |
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10/6/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 10/8/2012, By: ameristrat Info: Intermittent snow on trail becoming less avoidable around 13,000‘. Snow above treeline was soft and powdery so easy to walk on - no deeper than 5-6". Wind and temperatures made it a very cold trek, but it was a beautiful day. Only ice was on the trail below the shoulder on the way down - either take care or use microspikes - and on the rocks in the creek crossing early in the AM. Just step carefully and you‘ll be fine! Started at 7:45 and back at the car around 11:45 with some summit time - pretty day and very few people on the trail! |
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9/29/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 9/29/2012, By: mrschaible Info: Climb was snow free until about 13,200‘. The snow was very shallow and presented no challenge to attaining the summit. Gets slippery in the afternoon if you stay on the packed trail. Traction devices not required. Muddy in the afternoon. Do not cross the creek in the morning at the standard crossing area! The rocks are covered in ice and not visible. Many people took a bath crossing the stream. Go to the left about 50‘. Beautiful day on the peak. |
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9/14/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 9/14/2012, By: DoWork Info: Bit of snow above 12,750‘ I slipped on my microspikes and was glad I had them. |
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6/30/2012 Route: Bierstadt, Sawtooth, Blue Sky Posted On: 7/1/2012, By: esagas Info: Just a little bit of snow left on a tiny (10 ft.) section at the beginning of the Sawtooth, but it should be gone in the next few days. Otherwise, summer conditions in both peaks, their respective trails, and the Sawtooth traverse. |
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6/23/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 6/23/2012, By: olhado47 Info: Dry all the way up on the standard route. Even got dusty in places as the wind picked up on the way down. No snow crossing the trail, but I could see a small patch on the western side of the sawtooth. |
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6/8/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 6/18/2012, By: jenjenm Info: No mud and very little hard pack at the top, that‘s easily avoidable. I would only caution early risers about a bit of ice on some parts of the upper half of the trail, where the combo of water seeping from the ground and heavy use erosion made me slip once, before I noticed in the pre-dawn light. It all melted shortly after sunrise. Otherwise, late summer conditions! |
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6/3/2012 Route: Bierstadt, Sawtooth, Blue Sky Posted On: 6/4/2012, By: helmich2 Info: Slushy on some of the shady slopes above 13.5k, but easy to cope if you have trekking poles and/or micro spikes/good boots. Backside of Bierdstadt has a great snow field to glisade down to the start of the Sawtooth. No rollerballs/pinwheels to hint at possible wet slides, ~ 300 ft of very fun glisading. Sawtooth ridge was dry, but the last section has plenty of loose gravel to keep in mind. Evans was clear Sawtooth to summit. |
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6/1/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 6/1/2012, By: Alan Arnette Info: Dry until summit then a few small snow fields. Very windy and chilly at 7AM but got warm quickly and then chilly/windy again. People in shorts turned back. Heavy clouds moved in around noon. Sawtooth was very dry. |
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5/26/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 5/27/2012, By: jeffdykstra Info: Still muddy on the lower elevation. Still quite a bit of ice and snow fields to deal with, but manageable if you take your time. I use trekking poles on the way up to keep upright, and put on my microspike for the way down on the top half. |
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5/25/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 5/25/2012, By: smoove Info: Still muddy up to 12,900‘, and then it starts to get icy. I had my microspikes with me but just ended up using trekking poles. But some sort of of traction would definitely make it more comfortable (especially on the descent). |
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5/24/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 5/27/2012, By: seth0687 Info: Blowing snow and negative temps weren‘t very fun but overall it was a good climb. There was a decent amount of snow still on the west slopes but it was firm and there was no need for snow shoes, micro spikes on the other hand could be of use. The pass was open all the way to the top and we made it up with without incident in our Subi. |
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5/21/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 5/21/2012, By: Jay521 Info: A little muddy until about 13K. Multiple trails through the few snowfields above that. Traction helpful but not mandatory. All in all, excellent conditions. |
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5/18/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 5/18/2012, By: awake Info: There is a fair amount of snow higher up on Bierstadt. Snowshoes are not necessary, but micro-spikes or other traction devices are very helpful. The lower part of the standard route was a bit muddy, but nothing too bad. Summited at 8:30am and the weather was beautiful and winds were calm. The winds seemed to pick up a little as I was descending. |
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5/15/2012 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 5/15/2012, By: DoWork Info: Really quite a lot of snow above 12k‘ (from the weekend storm) - All boot-packed and easy but still a snow hike. I was very glad to have poles, gaitors, and micro spikes. The mud was frozen in the morning but a brutal mess by 11am. I‘m sure most of the snow will be gone soon. Pics in the youtube clip below if you are interested (included sawtooth). http://youtu.be/p69ZWUWkO_w |
