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At a glance:
Distance: 7.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate Ascent: 3,700 feet Map Link: The Decalibron Website: 14ers.com Combination Route Google Maps Link: Kite Lake Trailhead Dogs: On a leash (or not, as is the custom these days) |
The DeCaLiBron
Let's be honest. Hiking 14ers is a lot like hiking through the gravel parking lot at the county fair, but instead of funnel cake, you get ridiculous views. It's a lot of rocks, a lot of scree, and just when you thought you were done, there are some more rocks. So when you can knock out four of these beasts with one big climb and one big descent, it's really nice on the knees. This is a seriously fun hike, my only complaint is that the descent from Bross to Kite lake is miserable. In my mind, it's almost better to go back over Cameron and back down the Democrat saddle than to descend that steep rock field. But if you're young, who cares, there's a nice waterfall near the bottom.
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The Decalibron
getting there:
Address:
1) From Colorado Springs, head to Woodland Park, pass through Divide, then Florescent, Lake George, and Hartsel.
2) Take a right on Route 9 toward Fairplay
3) At 285, take a right toward FairPlay, then take a left onto Route 9 again toward Alma and Breckenridge.
4) Once you get to Alma, slow down because there are cops just waiting to nab you. If you are going a bit fast, then turn into one of the neighborhoods and pretend to be a local, it works, really.
5) When you see Al-mart, turn left onto Buckskin Road (County Road 8) and head up the gravel road until you get to the Kite Lake Campground. Either come the night before, or get there at 3 AM, otherwise, you will have to hike an extra 2 miles to the lake. People seriously need to stop moving to Colorado.
1) From Colorado Springs, head to Woodland Park, pass through Divide, then Florescent, Lake George, and Hartsel.
2) Take a right on Route 9 toward Fairplay
3) At 285, take a right toward FairPlay, then take a left onto Route 9 again toward Alma and Breckenridge.
4) Once you get to Alma, slow down because there are cops just waiting to nab you. If you are going a bit fast, then turn into one of the neighborhoods and pretend to be a local, it works, really.
5) When you see Al-mart, turn left onto Buckskin Road (County Road 8) and head up the gravel road until you get to the Kite Lake Campground. Either come the night before, or get there at 3 AM, otherwise, you will have to hike an extra 2 miles to the lake. People seriously need to stop moving to Colorado.
The hike:
There are two ways to do this loop. The first, is head up Democrat first, then to Cameron, Lincoln, and finally Bross. However, if you like to suffer and go up really steep loose gravel, then head up Cross first, then Lincoln, Cameron, and finish off with Democrat. Personally, I like the Democrat way first, it just leaves you with the misery of coming down the Bross trail at the end.
From Kite Lake: Head past the lake and begin your ascent out of the basin up a moderately steep rocky slope. You'll quickly gain elevation as you switchback up toward the Democrat-Cameron saddle. The views from the saddle in the early morning light are wonderful and the view back toward Kite Lake is excellent as the sun rises. From the saddle, head left (west) and up a little slope to a small ridge. From here you will attack the steepest part of the ascent to Democrat. Once you gain this ridge, you will be at 13,900 feet and have great views of the mountains as well as the summit which is just an easy stroll across relatively flat terrain and then a quick little ascent.
From the top of Mount Democrat: Head back down to the saddle, making sure to encourage all the sad souls who are trudging up to the ridge. Once at the saddle continue straight (northeast) and start the climb up to Cameron. This is much easier, even with tired legs and really is not that steep for most of the ascent. Once you gain 14,000 feet, look to the left and you will see a little pile of rocks that mark the summit of this rather unremarkable peak
From the top of Mount Cameron: Continue northeast and head down to the Cameron-Lincoln saddle. There is a cool little spiral ascent that reminds me of a Disney ride. Once you gain this, you will see the Lincoln summit. Be careful here as there are some potential hazards on your way to the summit.
From the top of Mount Lincoln: Head back down to the saddle. Turn south and follow the barren, Mars like landscape toward Mount Bross. Once you get closer to Bross, you will see a host of trails that all kind of wind their way toward the summit. Find the one you like and head up. There's a lot of to do about private property here, so be respectful, stay on the designated trail and bag the last of these four closely linked peaks.
From the top of Mount Bross: Head back down to the trail and follow it West. It is such a pleasant little trail...until its not. The trail will dive steeply to the left into a gully and your knees will never be the same. Follow this trail down, down, down, down until you get back to the beautiful meadow. Well into late summer, this meadow is full of flowers and a picturesque little waterfall. Your reward for descending down the barren landscape of Mount Bross. Follow the dirt trail back to the lake and endless high fives from everyone around.
From Kite Lake: Head past the lake and begin your ascent out of the basin up a moderately steep rocky slope. You'll quickly gain elevation as you switchback up toward the Democrat-Cameron saddle. The views from the saddle in the early morning light are wonderful and the view back toward Kite Lake is excellent as the sun rises. From the saddle, head left (west) and up a little slope to a small ridge. From here you will attack the steepest part of the ascent to Democrat. Once you gain this ridge, you will be at 13,900 feet and have great views of the mountains as well as the summit which is just an easy stroll across relatively flat terrain and then a quick little ascent.
From the top of Mount Democrat: Head back down to the saddle, making sure to encourage all the sad souls who are trudging up to the ridge. Once at the saddle continue straight (northeast) and start the climb up to Cameron. This is much easier, even with tired legs and really is not that steep for most of the ascent. Once you gain 14,000 feet, look to the left and you will see a little pile of rocks that mark the summit of this rather unremarkable peak
From the top of Mount Cameron: Continue northeast and head down to the Cameron-Lincoln saddle. There is a cool little spiral ascent that reminds me of a Disney ride. Once you gain this, you will see the Lincoln summit. Be careful here as there are some potential hazards on your way to the summit.
From the top of Mount Lincoln: Head back down to the saddle. Turn south and follow the barren, Mars like landscape toward Mount Bross. Once you get closer to Bross, you will see a host of trails that all kind of wind their way toward the summit. Find the one you like and head up. There's a lot of to do about private property here, so be respectful, stay on the designated trail and bag the last of these four closely linked peaks.
From the top of Mount Bross: Head back down to the trail and follow it West. It is such a pleasant little trail...until its not. The trail will dive steeply to the left into a gully and your knees will never be the same. Follow this trail down, down, down, down until you get back to the beautiful meadow. Well into late summer, this meadow is full of flowers and a picturesque little waterfall. Your reward for descending down the barren landscape of Mount Bross. Follow the dirt trail back to the lake and endless high fives from everyone around.
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