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A fun hike with an introductory scramble between two popular 14ers.


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Map Key

1.2

Miles

1.9

KM

Point to Point

13,995' 4,266 m

High

13,339' 4,066 m

Low

406' 124 m

Up

658' 201 m

Down

17%

Avg Grade (10°)

54%

Max Grade (28°)

This has been hidden from our maps to prevent overlap with existing trails, or because our research has found there is no legal access.

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

If you bring a dog on this, you're assuming a huge risk. While some athletic pups may manage the scrambling just fine, most will need to be carried for a large portion of the hike. A couple years ago a hiker brought a dog on this traverse, and, with turning weather and a slow dog, descended alone. Other hikers found the dog a few days later, tired but alive. After a couple court hearings, the original owner lost the dog, who now resides with the hikers who found him!

Description

From the summit of Mt. Bierstadt, you can return to Guanella Pass or continue to Mt. Evans via a low class 3 traverse known as "the Sawtooth."

Hikers continuing over The Sawtooth should descend NE off the summit, walking down a vague trail just to the right of the ridge defining the Sawtooth. Scramble down to the Bierstadt-Evans saddle at 13,300 ft. None of this terrain should be too hard - the rock should be solid and exposure moderate at worst. If things get difficult, you have likely stayed too high on the ridge.

Once at the notch, you'll encounter a large gendarme. Stay to the right to avoid class 4 terrain, scrambling up the right side of the first crux. Once over this, you'll almost immediately encounter a second crux. For the first time, drop to the left of the ridge, walking along a catwalk. This is the most exposed part of the climb. Hikers may elect to stay to the right of this catwalk to avoid exposure and loose rock, or to stay to the left to avoid the low-grade scrambling required by this route. After a class 2+ scramble off the catwalk ramp, angle to the right to regain solid ground.

Walk on nearly flat, rocky but often undefined trail to gain the Mt. Evans Trail.

Flora & Fauna

This class 2+/3 traverse is rocky and offers little in the way of wildflowers. Marmots and pikas will certainly pop out from time to time, however.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tyler Prince

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 6 votes

#10133

Overall
  4.2 from 6 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#844

in Colorado

#10,133

Overall
5 Views Last Month
4,838 Since Mar 5, 2015
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
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83%
17%

Photos

Mt Bierstadt summit view
Feb 26, 2015 near Georgetown, CO
Middle of the Saw Tooth over to Evans
Jul 17, 2017 near Georgetown, CO
A look at the Sawtooth from near the summit of Mt. Bierstadt. Two large gendarmes can be seen above the saddle. Stay to the right of the first, and the left of the second.
Mar 5, 2015 near Georgetown, CO
Looking back at Mt. Bierstadt from the end of The Sawtooth.
Jul 17, 2017 near Georgetown, CO
Upper third, right edge, tiny yellow dot... Yup, that is a full-size man crossing the north face lower catwalk of The Sawtooth.
Aug 17, 2017 near Georgetown, CO
Descending Mt. Bierstadt onto the Sawtooth.
Jul 25, 2020 near Georgetown, CO

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