Mt. Bierstadt

Trail Length: 7 miles round trip
Elevation: 11,669-14,060 ft
Elevation gain: 2,850 ft
Bathroom at the Trailhead: Yes
Critters: Big Horn Sheep
Tags: #14er, #coloradooutdoors, #nooxygen

Left to right, Mt. Evans (14,264 ft) and Mt. Bierstadt (14,060 ft) as seen from the Square Top trail. This photo is mine. The rest in this post are courtesy of Lynn Johnson.

Mt. Bierstadt, near Georgetown CO, is one of the easiest 14K ft peaks to hike. Its proximity to Denver, and the lush views Guanella Pass make it doubly popular. Guanella Pass is notorious for sudden thunderstorms, however, so be sure to check the weather before planning your ascent.

The trail begins at the pass itself and descends into a narrow valley filled with willows. This area is boggy and depending upon the condition of the boardwalks, may be wet and slimy. Things get serious after the willows when the trail climbs up to a broad shoulder. The views here make it a worthy destination in itself for those interested in a shorter hike. The shoulder is a wide area for ideal for picnicking and people watching. A favorite pastime is holding up score cards measuring the lung capacity of climbers as they crest over the shoulder. You'll see everything from small children to trail runners using Beirstadt to train for the Leadville 100. When no one is looking, do your best Julie Andrews imitation and twirl around. At high altitude motion sickness takes on a whole new meaning.

Big Horn Sheep on the road to the pass

The more able bodied will want to continue up the trail which rises steeply into the distance. It is rocky so consider hiking poles for added stability. Insider tip: "view breaks" are a great way to catch your breath while admiring the increasingly expansive views of the Continental Divide.

Looking down on the shoulder

Climbers get a nice break on the upper ridge which is flat but full of scree. Take your time crossing. A twisted ankle at this point would make getting down a challenge. The final cone of scree is a jumble and hikers just find their way from rock to rock with little coherence.

Looking down on Square Top Lakes and Square Top Mountain

We were lucky on this trip and the weather was beautiful. We stayed on the summit for over an hour just gawking at the rolling green hills below us. I have been chased off of Guanella so many times by lightening that I have developed a neurotic paranoia about the place but this day there was barely a wisp of a cloud. I still eyed them carefully because Guanella is notorious for brewing storms at explosive rates.

Looking up at the final cone of scree

From the summit, Mt. Evans feels like it is within spitting distance and you can see all the tourists who drove up to that summit. "Look Vern there are mountain climbers over there!" With more time and a car shuttle, you can cross the saw tooth that connects the two peaks and bag two in one day. I have several friends who have done this and say it is easier than it looks and well worth doing.

View from the summit looking west.

So, for those of you who have never climbed a 14er, give Mt. Bierstadt a try. It is an easy walk up but will require you to have gotten off the couch in the last year. Some scrambling is required in the scree field so bring your gloves as well. Do it like I did and take the day off of work to avoid the crowds and meditate on why we love living in Colorado.

Ceran St. Vrain

Distance: 3.85 miles round trip
Elevation: 8,365 ft - 8,105 ft
Elevation Gain: 260 ft (gain on the trip back)
Dogs: Off Leash

St. Vrain Creek

Ceran St.Vrain near Jamestown, CO (northwest of Boulder) is a short but relaxing trail through a pleasant mixed Lodgepole and Spruce forest with lots of water action to get your Zen on. Dogs are allowed off leash, which is a blessing for those of us with hunting dogs that need to run. The trail gets its name from Ceran St.Vrain, an 1800's resident who was know for building forts along several creeks in the area.

The trailhead. There is a large parking area and a nice place to picnic near the creek off to the left.

A few yards from the trailhead is a quaint bridge over the creek

At the beginning of the trail is a primitive campground so be prepared for the intoxicating smell of camp delectables cooking over a wood fire. The trail itself is packed dirt and pine needles, a welcome respite from the rocky terrain that blesses most of the Front Range. 

There are many views of the creek from the trail

In contrast to the mountains that provide the water that fills St. Vrain Creek, the trail heads downwards for a gradual loss of 200 ft. Where the trail ends is subjective since it seems to run into a series of 4x4 roads. You'll know this because the trail widens a bit and there may be a signs for roads 801 and 252. One of these leads to Miller Rock, but finding it can be a chore. 

A typical trail section. Notice the lush vegetation and the nice soft trail.

The only downside of this trail is that it is up past Jamestown. This route is a mecca for hordes of cyclists who use the steep climbs to train for even harder events. While I am all for sharing the road, it can be unnerving to dodge and weave around these unpredictable two-wheeled demons.

The forested areas are open and appealing

To get to the trailhead, travel 5.5 miles north of Boulder on Highway 36 to Lefthand Canyon. Turn left on and drive 8.4 miles to Jamestown. Continue through the town and be sure to follow the posted speed limits. After Jamestown, the road becomes Overland Rd and will transition to dirt road 4.5 miles beyond the town. Avoid the left fork at this point and continue approximately 0.5 miles to the trailhead on the right.