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Photographing Mountain Goats on Mount Bierstadt: Colorado Photo Adventures In.

Tom Clancy

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Published in Mountain Goats In The Sky: Photographing Mountain Goats On Mount Bierstadt Colorado (Photo Adventures In The Colorado Rockies)

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My husband and I spent two nights backpacking to photograph mountain goats on Mount Bierstadt, a popular 14er near Denver, Colorado. We hiked in on a Friday afternoon, set up camp at treeline, and spent the next two days exploring the high alpine terrain in search of mountain goats. We were rewarded with amazing views of the surrounding mountains, wildflowers, and of course, mountain goats! This blog post shares some of the highlights from our backpacking and photography adventure on Mount Bierstadt, including tips for planning your own trip.

Mountain Goats in the Sky: Photographing Mountain Goats on Mount Bierstadt Colorado (Photo Adventures in the Colorado Rockies)

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Planning Your Trip

Mount Bierstadt is a popular 14er, so it's important to plan your trip in advance, especially if you're going during peak season (July-August). You'll need to obtain a wilderness permit from the US Forest Service, which can be reserved online or at the ranger station. You'll also need to decide how you want to approach the mountain. There are several different trailheads, but the most popular is the Guanella Pass trailhead. This trail is 6.7 miles one-way and gains 2,700 feet in elevation. It's a challenging hike, but it's worth it for the amazing views and wildlife.

If you're planning on backpacking, you'll need to bring all of your own gear, including food, water, shelter, and cooking supplies. There are no amenities on the mountain, so you'll need to be self-sufficient. Be sure to pack for all types of weather, as the conditions on Mount Bierstadt can change quickly.

Backpacking and Photography on Mount Bierstadt

We started our hike on a Friday afternoon and arrived at treeline just as the sun was setting. We set up our camp and enjoyed the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The next morning, we woke up early and started our search for mountain goats. We hiked up to the summit of Mount Bierstadt, but we didn't see any goats along the way. We did, however, see some amazing wildflowers and views of the surrounding mountains.

After lunch, we decided to hike off-trail in search of mountain goats. We hiked for about an hour before we finally spotted a group of goats. We spent the next few hours photographing the goats and enjoying the scenery. We were so happy to have finally found some goats, and we were even happier with the photos we were able to capture.

The next day, we hiked back down to the trailhead and drove home. We were both exhausted, but we were also so happy with our adventure. We had seen amazing wildlife, hiked to the summit of a 14er, and captured some incredible photos.

Tips for Photographing Mountain Goats

Here are a few tips for photographing mountain goats:

Use a long lens. Mountain goats are often found on steep slopes, so you'll need a long lens to get close-up shots. A 300mm lens or longer is ideal.
Be patient. Mountain goats are wild animals, so you'll need to be patient to get good photos. Don't rush your shots, and take your time to observe the goats and their behavior.
Get down low. Mountain goats are often found on steep slopes, so getting down low will help you to avoid getting shots with the sky in the background.
Use a tripod. A tripod will help you to keep your camera steady, especially when shooting with a long lens.
Be respectful. Mountain goats are wild animals, so it's important to be respectful of their space. Don't get too close, and don't disturb them.

Mount Bierstadt is a beautiful mountain with amazing wildlife and scenery. If you're looking for a challenging hike with the opportunity to see mountain goats, then Mount Bierstadt is the perfect destination. Just be sure to plan your trip in advance and be prepared for all types of weather.