A strong appetite, average palate, and weak writing, mixed with outdoor adventure.

A strong appetite, average palate, and weak writing, mixed with outdoor adventure.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Mt Bierstadt

Stats
  • Route: West Slopes (standard)
  • Distance: ~7.0 miles
  • Elevation Gain: ~2,850
  • Start time: 8:00 AM  
  • Time: 5.5 hours  
  • Climbers: Amy, April and Sandy

Often maligned as an easy climb, Bierstadt offers expansive views across Jefferson, Clear Creak and Park counties, an ample reward for those who climb the 3.5 miles of the standard route. While short, the first mile is spent crossing a willow filled valley, often on boardwalks, so the west slopes rise steeply above you.

Amy and April drove down from Fort Collins, probably having left there at 4:30, to join me. Neither had climbed a 14er in years and we had tried, unsuccessfully the last two summers, to meet for a hike. Both of them are training for upcoming races in September, so even without the benefit of acclimation, they cruised the climb.

As to be expected, there was a crowd on the mountain, which is the curse of Front Range 14ers. The crowd included a shih tzu/bijon frise that won the heart of everyone, as well as a leashless yellow lab that seemed more interested in descending than ascending, costing it owner additional effort chasing it downhill.

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April, Amy and me headed up

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Bistort with April in the background

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Buttercup of some sort with Amy in the background

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April and Amy with the Sawtooth ridge in the background

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