| |
 |
|
June 28, 1999
Mt. Bierstadt and Mt. Evans via Sawtooth Ridge
Trailhead: Guanella Pass
Climbed Mt. Bierstadt by way of Guanella Pass. The trail going through
the willows is very muddy, but is being improved by a series of log bridges.
There is no snow in the basin, but there is alot of spring runoff. There
is a good trail all the way to the summit but it is very muddy in places.
On the final ridge to the summit there is alittle bit of snow, but
it can be easily avoided. Beware from the summit of Bierstadt the Sawtooth
looks much shorter and easier than it is. Decending Bierstadt's north
summit ridge onto the Sawtooth there are some large snowfields on steep
slopes, but the hiking is made easier through a series of tracks in the
snow. If one decides to stay directly on the ridge, there are some hard
class 3 scrambling involved to get over some pinnacles. It is better to
stay just east of the crest of the ridge. On the Sawtooth there are very
few cairns and the trail is hard to follow. Take note on your plan of
travel on the Sawtooth because once on the ridge the correct route is
not very obvious. Pay attention of how to reach the ledges to the west
and get over the ridge's crest. If the
Sawtooth becomes too difficult or if you get stuck one can decend down
the east slopes to Abyss lake from there climb up Evan's south slopes
to a point to the right of the Sawtooth. From there follow Evan's tedious
and rocky
northwest ridge to the summit. To get back to Guanella pass decend northwest
avoiding the cliffs directly to the west and follow the drainage back
to the trailhead. Be prepared this route will test both your lungs and
your legs,
so be ready for a long day.
Chris and Matt
Other Information
Return to Trip Reports and Route Descriptions
|
|
|
|
|
INFORMATION
