Mt Bierstadt is a few miles east of Guanella Pass, in the northernmost part of the Pike National Forest. This is one of the best maintained trail-heads for a 14er and is close to Denver, making it one of the most climbed 14er’s in Colorado. The peak was named for Albert Bierstadt, a famous western landscape artist, who named the nearby peak Mt Rosalie in honor of his wife(but it was later renamed Mt Evans), with a 13er nearby getting the name Mt Rosalie. Mt Bierstadt and Mt Evans are connected by a class 3 ridge called the Sawtooth, which is a fun scramble in summer.
- Trailhead: Guanella Pass
- Round trip: 7 miles / 11.3 km
- Elevation: 11,670′-14,160′ (2,850′) / 3,557m – 4,316m (+869m)
The most popular trailhead for Mount Bierstadt is located on Guanella Pass, located to the west of the mountain. Initially the trail descends slightly into the level marshlands surrounding Scott Gomer Creek before reaching Bierstadt’s western slopes. The trail is well defined to the upper slopes. On the rocky upper regions of the mountain the route of the trail is marked by a series of cairns. The trail levels about 200 feet (61 m) below the summit before beginning the final ascent.
Very busy in the summer
