To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments
so you only print what you need.
Bierstadt Ice
Colorado
> CO Ice & Mixed
Ice Climbs near Mt. Bierstadt
Mt. Bierstadt has very secluded ice flow(s) in an incredible alpine environment. The ice is up to 60' length and WI3 in difficulty in good ice years. I have been coming up here since 2006 and never seen any evidence of other climbers - I'm posting this with trepidation - but know that due to the arduous approach, it will still see little traffic. It is over 4.4 miles from winter road closure on the N side of Guanella Pass Road, up Scott Gomer Creek to just below the highest alpine lakes in the basin below the Sawtooth Ridge connecting Mt. Bierstadt and Mt. Evans. In some years, more than one ice flow forms on the walls in this basin - most are not worth the effort of the approach. FAs: Vince Ruland and Clinton McKinzie ca 2006
Getting There
From Denver, take I-70 West to Georgetown, take Guanella Pass Road to the winter closure. Hike to the summit of pass. Follow the Bierstadt trail until it becomes obvious to veer left (NE) to enter into the Scott Gomer Creek drainage into the basin below the Sawtooth.
An alternate route: take US 285 to the town of Grant - go North on Guanella Pass to thewinter closure. HJike to the summit of the pass, and follow hiking instructions above.
Routes from Left to Right
Route Name |
Location |
Star Rating |
Difficulty |
Date |
●
Greasy Gomer
|
|
|
WI3
Trad, Ice, Alpine
|
[Hide Photo] Clinton McKinzie climbs one of the minor ice flows that can form in this basin ca. 2006 - unnamed route - FA: Clinton McKinzie & Vince Ruland.
[Hide Photo] Me leading on FA in Jan 2006. Photo credit: Clinton McKinzie.
[Hide Photo] This picture was taken 2/1/15 - the ice is much leaner this year but still very climbable. 9 years ago I did my FA on this ice.
[Hide Photo] Me on first ascent (to my knowledge) in Jan. 2006 in a FAT ice year. Photo credit: Clinton McKinzie.