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Hike Mount Bierstadt, Mount Blue Sky, Mount Spalding via The Sawtooth in Arapaho National Forest, Colorado - Stav is Lost

Hike Mount Bierstadt, Mount Blue Sky, Mount Spalding via The Sawtooth Arapaho National Forest, CO

Class 3 11.5 miles 4100 gain 6-8 hrs Loop
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude
DirectionsRoute MapDownload GPX

Mount Bierstadt, Mount Blue Sky, Mount Spalding via The Sawtooth GPX Track

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Sep 05, 2017 — Take the popular Mt. Bierstadt Trail to the summit, then look northeast toward The Sawtooth, a really stunning ridgeline that is definitely a lot easier than it looks. The Class 3 ridge can even be avoided by keeping to the right, where a use trail avoids most of the fun stuff. Look out for a big cairn before the really big pinnacles create mroe difficult terrain and head to the left of these pinnacles. A trail leads you on the west side of The Sawooth's ridge and onto a pleasant ramp, avoiding what looks like Class 5 scrambling. From the top of this ridge, head through a gorgeous tundra landscape, looking for the Mount Spalding Trail that takes you to Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans), avoiding the ridgeline by staying just south. After Mount Blue Sky, head back and follow the Mount Spalding Trail to the not-so-obvious summit.

On my original go at this loop, I took the west ridge down from Mount Spalding via a gorgeous alpine wonderland off-trail until I got to Scott Gomer Creek. This descent then became a horrible bushwhack. I stayed on the southeast side of this creek, but I don't recommend going this way. Instead, descend from Mount Spalding via the standard route, which is reflected in my attached map/GPX. Probably less pretty, but certainly less grueling.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Bierstadt
14060 ft
700 rise
2
The Sawtooth
13760+ ft
80 rise
3
Mount Blue Sky (Mount Evans)
14264 ft
2744 rise
4
Mount Spalding
13842 ft
242 rise

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photo protector The Sawtooth (ridge) visible on the right top, Mt Bierstadt just out of view on the right.
The Sawtooth (ridge) visible on the right top, Mt Bierstadt just out of view on the right.
photo protector Mt. Bierstadt, highest point in this photo.
Mt. Bierstadt, highest point in this photo.
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photo protector Bierstadt on the right, the Sawtooth trailing left.
Bierstadt on the right, the Sawtooth trailing left.
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photo protector Approaching the rocky section.
Approaching the rocky section.
photo protector Easy Class 2 to the summit.
Easy Class 2 to the summit.
photo protector Looking back down the southwest ridge of Mt. Bierstadt.
Looking back down the southwest ridge of Mt. Bierstadt.
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photo protector Mt. Bierstadt summit view, Abyss Lake on the right, the Sawtooth ahead.
Mt. Bierstadt summit view, Abyss Lake on the right, the Sawtooth ahead.
photo protector A better shot of the Sawtooth.
A better shot of the Sawtooth.
photo protector From the saddle, looking back toward Mt. Bierstadt.
From the saddle, looking back toward Mt. Bierstadt.
photo protector Continuing along the Sawtooth.
Continuing along the Sawtooth.
photo protector Fun stuff coming up.
Fun stuff coming up.
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photo protector The fun, well-marked ramp on the left side of the Sawtooth.
The fun, well-marked ramp on the left side of the Sawtooth.
photo protector Looking back along the ramp, Mt. Bierstadt in the distance.
Looking back along the ramp, Mt. Bierstadt in the distance.
photo protector Same view higher up.
Same view higher up.
photo protector Just after the ramp, the terrain becomes flat and rocky. Mount Blue Sky on right.
Just after the ramp, the terrain becomes flat and rocky. Mount Blue Sky on right.
photo protector Looking back, Mt. Bierstadt in the distance.
Looking back, Mt. Bierstadt in the distance.
photo protector Looking back, Mt. Bierstadt and Abyss Lake.
Looking back, Mt. Bierstadt and Abyss Lake.
photo protector Well-cairned trail to Mount Blue Sky.
Well-cairned trail to Mount Blue Sky.
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photo protector Mount Blue Sky parking area on the right, summit on the left.
Mount Blue Sky parking area on the right, summit on the left.
photo protector Mount Blue Sky summit view looking north toward Summit Lake.
Mount Blue Sky summit view looking north toward Summit Lake.
photo protector Back at the flat terrain, heading toward Mt. Spalding.
Back at the flat terrain, heading toward Mt. Spalding.
photo protector Mt. Spalding up ahead.
Mt. Spalding up ahead.
photo protector Mt. Spalding summit looking toward Bierstadt (right), and Blue Sky (left).
Mt. Spalding summit looking toward Bierstadt (right), and Blue Sky (left).
photo protector View down the west slope of Mount Spalding.
View down the west slope of Mount Spalding.
photo protector View toward Mount Bierstadt.
View toward Mount Bierstadt.
photo protector View into the marshland I'm heading down into. On my first time doing this hike, I descended via the west ridge of Mount Spalding, resulting in a horrible bushwhack. I recommend following my map.
View into the marshland I'm heading down into. On my first time doing this hike, I descended via the west ridge of Mount Spalding, resulting in a horrible bushwhack. I recommend following my map.
photo protector The Sawtooth, Mt. Bierstadt on the right, seen from the west ridge of Mount Spalding. The views are excellent, but the bushwhack that comes after to reach the drainage below is terrible.
The Sawtooth, Mt. Bierstadt on the right, seen from the west ridge of Mount Spalding. The views are excellent, but the bushwhack that comes after to reach the drainage below is terrible.
photo protector
photo protector Cairns lead nicely down from Mount Spalding via the standard route, avoiding most unpleasantness from the marshes.
Cairns lead nicely down from Mount Spalding via the standard route, avoiding most unpleasantness from the marshes.
photo protector Along the skinny trail leading through the marshes.
Along the skinny trail leading through the marshes.
photo protector Looking back toward the Sawtooth.
Looking back toward the Sawtooth.
photo protector Back at the trailhead with a clearer view than the morning. Mt. Bierstadt on the right, Mount Blue Sky peeking out in the center, Mt. Spalding on the left.
Back at the trailhead with a clearer view than the morning. Mt. Bierstadt on the right, Mount Blue Sky peeking out in the center, Mt. Spalding on the left.

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