Is Mount Bierstadt an Easy 14er?
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Hiking 14ers in Colorado is like a rite of passage for those living in the state. A 14er is a mountain with a peak elevation of 14,000 feet or higher. One of the most popular and easiest ones is Mount Bierstadt.
The hike to the summit is straightforward and is easily accessible from Denver, being only a 60 to 90-minute drive away.
Mount Bierstadt is considered one of the easiest because of its short length (7 miles) and it not having technical portions. That doesn’t mean it’s an easy hike and far from it.
I’ll go over why I thought Mount Bierstadt was a great hike for those looking to do a 14er and how to prepare for it.
Is Mount Bierstadt the Easiest 14er in Colorado?
This is my time hiking a 14er in Colorado. But this isn’t the highest I’ve been; I’ve done many hikes at this height and higher in places like Peru and Bolivia.
So, I can’t say from personal experience that it is the easiest in Colorado but many locals that I’ve talked to always mention Bierstadt as one of the first ones they do.
Why It Might Not Be the Easiest
The elevation gain to reach the summit from the trailhead is lower than most others on the list of the easiest 14ers. But there is more of a rock scramble at the top.
This rock scramble landed Mount Bierstadt as a class 2 hike on the 14ers list. But it’s still on the easier side compared to the other 14ers in the state.
Mount Bierstadt Overview
| Trailhead | Guanella Pass Trailhead/Bierstadt Trail |
| Distance | 7.3 miles, out and back |
| Elevation Gain | 2,614 ft |
| Summit Elevation | 14,065 ft |
| Time to Complete | 4–7 hours (avg. pace) |
| Difficulty | Hard / Class 2 (rated “easy” relative to other 14ers) |
| Route Type | Out and back |
| Best Months | June – September |
| Dogs | Allowed, must be on leash |
| Permit | Free self-issue permit at trailhead |
| Nearest Town | Georgetown, CO |
How Hard is This Hike?
Summiting Bierstadt will be a challenging hike for most, as the elevation gain combined with the altitude will make you out of breath as you ascend.
For others, this won’t be too difficult, especially if you’re used to hiking at high altitudes. It’s only 3.5 miles or so to the summit and can be done by most people if started early.
Weather
When climbing 14ers in Colorado in the summer, it’s important to note that afternoon storms are a very real possibility. This means it’s a good idea to get below the tree line before 1 pm.
We hiked this trail at the end of June and it was in the 30s when we arrived at the trailhead at 5:30 am and reached temps in the 60s by the afternoon.
It was very windy for us at the summit and having a nice pair of gloves helped a ton.
Parking
There is a parking lot at the Guanella Pass trailhead where we began our hike.
This parking lot will fill up quickly, and if it does, you’ll be forced to find street parking on the side of the road.
I’d suggest showing up really early in order to get a parking spot or some people even sleep in their cars the night before.
There’s also the Guanella Campground down the road if that’s something you’d rather do.
Do You Need a Permit or Reservation for Mount Bierstadt?
You do not need a permit or a reservation to summit Bierstadt but it is a very popular hike, so arriving early is suggested.
My Experience Hiking Mount Bierstadt
I had been looking forward to this day for a while now. Climbing my first Colorado 14er is when I thought I’d truly feel like a true resident of the state.
The Easy First Mile
We arrived at the parking lot a little bit before 5:30 in the morning and had plenty of parking spots to choose from.
This was a Monday, so I’m sure on the weekends we’d have more difficulty finding a spot.
I love it when a hike starts slow and easy, especially when the elevation gain is expected to increase a lot. The first mile of this hike was a nice warmup to get the blood flowing.
We hiked across a wooden boardwalk through the marshes with the sun slowly rising over the mountains.
The elevation started to increase after we crossed the Scott Gomer Creek.
Unfortunately, we didn’t see any mountain goats on our way up to get a good photo with the sunrise but we were lucky enough to see a handful on our way down.
Gaining Elevation
About a mile in, the elevation really begins and it doesn’t let up until we reach the summit. It’s not the craziest elevation gain I’ve ever hiked but I can’t say I wasn’t a little bit winded during this stretch.
There are some switchback sections earlier on, followed by a steadier, clearer view incline.
The entire area is open to the sun, so if you are hiking this later on in the day, protect that face and wear some sunscreen!
We could see our end goal as we hiked up the mountain and saw the impending rock scramble we would have to endure.
The Rock Scramble
The last 0.2 miles of this trail, we were scrambling across rocks trying to figure out which path was the best.
There was a decent number of people on this trail ahead of us already, which helped us find the best pathway up to the summit.
On the southern side of the mountain is Frozen Lake, which we weren’t able to see our entire time up at the summit due to the cloud cover behind us.
There was also still snow on that side of the mountain, which was cool to see. We saw a few dogs along the trail attempting the rock scramble too & they were crushing it!
Summiting Mount Bierstadt
We were hoping it would be less windy than it was but we knew going into it that was probably a pipe dream.
The views from the top of the mountain were unreal. Even if people consider this one of the easiest 14ers in Colorado, it still doesn’t disappoint.
After taking a plethora of photos at the summit, we enjoyed some snacks and a summit beer before heading back down.
Some cardboard signs with the elevation on them were at the top, which are great for some photo ops!
Other Things to Know
Best Time to Hike Mount Bierstadt
The best time to hike Mount Bierstadt would be during the summer months, to avoid snow and avalanche risk.
Peak season for this hike is between June and September.
Directions to the Trailhead
To get to the trailhead from Denver, you’ll stay on I-70 W for the majority of the drive until you reach the quaint town of Georgetown.
From there, you’ll branch off up Guanella Pass Road until you reach the parking lot.
Altitude Safety Tips
The altitude when hiking 14ers is one of the main reasons that make these hikes so difficult and prestigious.
If you’re traveling to Denver from sea level, it’s a good idea to stay 1-2 days in the city before embarking on hiking a 14er.
When the day to hike a 14er comes, you’ll want to stay hydrated before and during the hike.
Taking your time is also the best way to allow your body to get more adjusted to the altitude.
What to Expect at the Summit
If you’re hiking Mount Bierstadt during peak season (especially on the weekend), expect there to be a decent crowd here.
Prepare for the wind with gloves and wear multiple layers! At the summit, you’ll see Mount Blue Sky to the North East (another 14er) and a couple of lakes to your south.
What to Pack
- Gloves: Having a nice pair of gloves to keep your hands warm at the summit is a game-changer.
- Jacket: Bringing a nice jacket for the morning and especially the summit is recommended.
- Hiking Boots: Wearing the proper footwear is essential
- Daypack: You don’t need a large backpack for this hike but bringing something small is nice to have for water, snacks, and extra layers.
FAQs
Is there cell service on Mount Bierstadt?
There is minimal cell service throughout the Mount Bierstadt hike, but you should be able to get service at the summit.
Is there a bathroom at the Mount Bierstadt trailhead?
Yes, there are bathrooms at the trailhead if you need to use them before or after the hike.
Can a beginner hike Mount Bierstadt?
Summiting Mount Bierstadt is possible as a beginner but it will be difficult. It’s a good idea to do other easier hikes in Colorado before attempting your first 14er.
Final Thoughts
Mount Bierstadt might not be for everyone but I really enjoyed it as my first 14er in Colorado. There were no technical parts and the best part was that we were able to do it while sleeping at our house the night before. This makes it great if you’re short on time and can’t camp anywhere beforehand. I would suggest this hike as a first 14er to anyone who asks.
