Tour de Abyss

Ascend Mt. Bierstadt from the Bierstadt TH, west slopes. Next up, the traverse to The Sawtooth. Leave from the north side of the Mt. Bierstadt summit and begin your descent towards the saddle between the two peaks. Stay right of the ridge crest as you descend. And now to Mt. Blue Sky. Look east to see the west ridge on Blue Sky but the summit is not visible yet. Walk toward the west ridge to reach a cairned trail near 13,800'. The cairns approaching the ridge are part of an established route from Summit Lake, over Mt. Spalding and along the west ridge. Continue toward an initial hump on the ridge and to a notch near the hump. Drop to the right slightly and follow the cairned trail east below the ridge crest. The trail stays below the ridge for most of the remaining hike. Locate the top of a gully which drops west toward Mt. Bierstadt. Turn right into the gully and descend west toward the basin below. Climb 800 feet (Class 2) up the slope to reach the crest of Bierstadt's east ridge. Turn right and scramble over the first and seconds points on the ridge. Next, you'll see Point 13,641', the crux of the ridge. Point 13,641' holds great rock and plenty of climbing opportunities. Return to Mt. Bierstadt and descend to Guanella Pass TH.

• Suitable Activities: Mountaineering, Scrambling
• Seasons: May, June, July, August, September
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Length: 14.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 5,700 ft
• High Point: 14,065 ft

• Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service
  Mount Blue Sky Wilderness Area (formerly Mount Evans), Clear Creek Ranger District (ARNF)
• Parking Permit Required: USFS Permits & Passes
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12