From Bakerville exit

Bard Peak is approached from the other side of I-70 where one starts for Grays or Torreys Peaks.  On the east side of the exit is private property, so it is necessary to start hiking north about 10 to 20 yards to the west of the exit.

The hike up to Bard Peak was very tedious from this route.  The snow was in bad condition – very sugary and difficult to ascend.   Because I was by myself, I quickly became tired breaking trail and trying to ascend steep snow slopes.  Also, the terrain changed quite frequently.  I continuously   travelled over snow, then rocks, then back to steep snow.  The snow was so difficult to ascend that, at times, it took me a few minutes just to go 10 to 20 feet.  I would plant my snowshoes in front of me, then they would slide back with no traction on the sugar snow and I would sink nearly to my thighs.  In the summer, provided there’s not much undergrowth, this route is probably a breeze.  However, in these winter conditions, it took me nearly three hours just to reach treeline.