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| | | Bierstadt-Sawtooth-Evans, CO | | | |
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Bierstadt-Sawtooth-Evans, CO
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| Hiking | 11.00 Miles |
4,475 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.00 Miles | | | |
| 4,475 ft AEG | | | | |
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| Partners |
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none
[ show ]
| no partners | | This trip will be one I remember for a very long time.
Scott had never done a 14er. He's been involved in many other outdoor pursuits, including climbing, mountain biking, and wildland firefighter, so I knew he could handle the Sawtooth Traverse to Mt Evans, via Bierstadt. Unfortunately, when we showed up at the trailhead, it was blocked off by the sheriff, for SAR use. Apparently, a man had gone missing up on the Sawtooth the previous day, and no one had heard from him since 10:30 that morning when he called his wife from the Bierstadt summit.
We parked in another lot and started up the trail, not really making great time. We got to the top and conversed briefly with others arriving around the same time, while watching Blackhawks circle the area in search of the missing man. Scott and I decided to get a move on, after hearing that a 75 year old woman was celebrating her birthday with friends, by traversing the Sawtooth as well. We needed to meet her! After descending a short while, we were joined by another girl who was hiking solo, but felt safer doing that portion with others. Scott played around on the Sawtooth itself, while I followed the cairned route. We caught up with the 75 year old woman after the route moved to the west side -- where all the shifty scree and short ledges were. We congratulated her on her progress (and btw she didn't look a day over 45 or 50!) and continued on, eventually meeting them again at the top when we all took a break to look over the frightening-looking section we'd just accomplished.
We then wandered up to the top of the Sawtooth summit and then came down slightly lower for snacks and hydration. A Blackhawk then landed next to us and dropped off two Alpine Rescuers. We asked them for more information about the missing man, in hopes that we might find something useful. They then took off and we headed up to Evans. At the summit, I conversed for quite a while with a man who had hiked Bierstadt and actually talked with the missing man, but had declined his invitation of traversing the section beyond. We found a ranger and the man gave him any information he may find useful, including pictures he'd taken from the summit. Scott and I then went on our way, slowly making the trek across the Evans ridge before dropping down into the marshy area below all the peaks.
Finally at the trailhead again, we spoke with the same Alpine Rescuers we'd seen before. They informed us that half an hour after speaking with us, they had finally located the body of the missing man. He had fallen from an area at the end of the Sawtooth, so was difficult to see. We were very sad to learn this, as he was newly-wed and new to the area. I guess as everyone says, at least he was doing something he loved.
We went back to the Jeep, happy and sad, but mostly happy... and very worn out and hungry. Stopped at a cute Italian cafe in Georgetown (Troia's) for excellent food and beautiful live guitar and violin music. We ended the night on a peaceful note. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
fun hike with Nick.
