Bierstadt

Thursday, August 10, 2000 - Mt. Bierstadt ("A Work of Art")

With most of the group rested from the previous day's "leisurely" activities, a rather large number of us headed for Mt Bierstadt. We had contemplated trying the Sawtooth Ridge that runs from Bierstadt to Mt. Evans, but with a group this size and the weather getting just a bit more questionable, we decided that one fourteener would be enough this day.

The Sawtooth Ridge and Mt. Bierstadt, silhouetted against the sunrise	Rick leading a group up the grassy slopes	Jim, Hollie, and Gary
Gary, making the ascent	Kaitlin and Dave	Look close...closer...Ptarmigan

Bierstadt is simply a beautiful climb. You start by passing through willows. Lots of willows. Then you move up onto grassy slopes with nicely switchbacking trails. Further up you start encountering a more rocky landscape. We noticed some magnificent cairns as well as some mountain goats and ptarmigans. The last section of the climb is a rocky arête. The boulder-hopping up there is a fun challenge compared to the easier slopes below.

Kaitlin, Hollie, Teri, and Gary at the summit of Mt. Bierstadt	Looking down at the Sawtooth Ridge	Rick Stinchfield
Mt. Evans, complete with a road, buildings, and gasoline climbers	Hollie, enjoying her second fourteener	Lynne, enjoying herself, too, even if it isn't apparent from her expression (sorry)
Tara and I playing camera tag	Joe Roney, stud for a day	Teri, contemplating deep thoughts

We summitted a whole lot of people. Teri and Kaitlin made it, redeeming themselves from their disappointment on Quandary. The weather was great, everybody was feeling good, and most of us spent some very relaxing moments on top of Mt. Bierstadt.

Gerald, displaying his climbing prowess	Hollie Dahms	Jeff, enjoying a Colorado peach
Brandi Broshar	Katie, also into the peaches	A pretty happy Jim Sheerer
The Mt. Bierstadt summit party	Cindy, Kaitlin, Tara, and Dave	Katie Beadle
Jeff and Katie, high above the landscape	Hollie and Kaitlin (and me, too, if you look closely)	Dave Carlson

We took the descent much like we did on Quandary - the Stinchfields, the Scheerers, and I slowly making our way back to the trailhead. Absolutely no reason to hurry a beautiful descent.

Last Updated: Saturday, October 21, 2000