Bierstadt Trailhead — Attraction in Idaho Springs

This 14k (elevation) hike is easily accessible from central Denver and will humble regular hikers. Its rocky top requires a scramble for the last quarter mile or so. The grade accelerates and is the most extreme for the hike's last mile; it starts at ~11k, and you descend to the creek separating the trailhead from the mountain. The rest of the hike is uphill, first over dirt paths, then rock-laden dirt paths, then to rock paths with dirt, and finally just to rocks. It's not the grade that makes this hike so tricky; it's the elevation, the altitude sickness, and hypoxia. I've done stiffer grades than Mt. Bierdstad but never felt so bad afterward. If you live in the area or regularly do high-elevation hikes, this is pretty pedestrian, but if you come from a low elevation like us, you will struggle. Dogs will have difficulty reaching the peak due to the rocks (boulders?) near the top.

Rains can often roll in after 11 a.m.; check your forecast. Lightning is a genuine concern, but going down the rocky upper half of the mounting when the rocks are wet is pretty dangerous. We left Denver, and it was a 1 hour 10 minute drive to the trailhead. We arrived at 5:37 a.m. on a Monday, and the parking lot was almost full; no permit was needed. The point is, you want to be there early to start hiking when it's cool and get off the mountain before it storms. It took us 6 hours to do the hike, beginning at 6 a.m. and finishing at about noon. We got caught in the rain, but we were already halfway down.

There's also a variety of wildlife up there. We saw marmots and some ground squirrels, and I've heard there are goats around.

An exhausting and fun hike requires a day (or more) to recover from altitude...

Hiked up Mount Bierstadt last August on a weekday so it wasn’t as crowded as it would be on the weekends. It was my first 14er and what an amazing experience it was. Difficult, steep, but so rewarding and the views are spectacular. The Class 2 scramble right before you reach the summit was my favorite part. Notes: before you try a 14er:

1. there is no easy 14er, just ones that are easier than others. Get in shape before you attempt a hike like this.
2. Get acclimated to altitude, especially if out of state and coming from lower elevations. Altitude sickness can be deadly. Make sure you read up on it and turn around if you feel symptoms.
3. Start early. You don’t want to be caught above tree line in a thunderstorm. If stormy weather is moving in, turn around. The mountain will be there another day.
4. Know your limitations. If you get too tired, don’t push it. Again, the mountain isn’t going anywhere. It will be there once you get in better shape.
5. Hike at a pace that is good for YOU, with the exception below. Don’t feel the need to “keep up” with others around you and if you are faster at getting up the mountain than someone you are with then hike at their pace. Don’t leave them behind. Share this wonderful experience with others. If you hike alone and prefer solitude, this will not be the hike for you. If you hike alone but enjoy interacting with others on a hike, this is a trail you will enjoy.
6. ALWAYS bring the ten essentials and...

Definitely the chillest 14er I've done. This is about as easy as it gets as far as those go. The elevation can hit you hard if you haven't hiked this high up recently, but failing that any reasonably active person should be totally fine (the great thing about hiking is you can stop as much as you want). There is some scrambling near the end, but it's not that technically challenging ; it's more about whether you have the strength to lift yourself up onto several 3-4 foot rocks. The paths are very well developed and smooth until then.

The hard part for me was the hike to and from the base of the mountain. I don't know how long it is, but it feels like eternity, especially since the scenery is pretty homogenous. The walk back for me felt so long I was starting to question if I had died and gone to limbo. I recommend bringing a good conversation partner or maybe some music (on earbuds, NOT on a speaker).

Poles absolutely not nessecary, shoes that you can walk on boulders with are needed for the final ascent. Bring water, simple sugars, sun protection, etc. Cell phone service, as with many 14ers in this area, is surprisingly strong after you ascend a bit. Massive crowds, no solitude here. Recommend getting there as early as possible (like 8AM or earlier), as the afternoon weather can turn...