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Trailhead: | Take the Georgetown exit off of Interstate 70. Drive through Georgetown and follow the signs for the Guanella Pass scenic byway through Georgetown. Drive 12 miles to the top of Guanella Pass (11,700') and park in one of the two large, paved parking areas on either side of the road. Mt. Bierstadt and The Sawtooth fill the view to the east. The Bierstadt trail starts near the parking area on the east side of the road. The upper parking area (on the west side of the pass) has restrooms. |
Details: |
Hike east down the Bierstadt Trail. There are wooden bridges that
have been built recently so you don't have to walk through all of the muddy sections. The
trail weaves through the willows and crosses Scott Gomer creek after over 1/2 mile. The
trail has been improved over the past few years, so ignore the warnings that some
guidebooks give about the willows. After crossing the stream, hike about 1/4 mile through
the willows on the excellent trail. At 11,800', the trail begins to climb up a shoulder.
You are out of the willows and the trail switchbacks to approximately 12,300' on the north
end of the shoulder. The remaining route is now visible. |
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