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| The Decalibron   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.34700°N / 106.1186°W Route Type: Hiking Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Time Required: Most of a day Difficulty: Walk-up
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| Page By: CharlesD Created/Edited: Jun 29, 2004 / Mar 31, 2006 Object ID: 161368 Hits: 1261 Loading... Page Score: 86.67% - 3 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
ApproachThe Decalibron is probably the most efficient way to climb many 14,000' peaks with a minimum of effort. As such is it extremely popular in the summer months. However, sheer peakbagging is not the sole attraction of this route; it starts high and stays high with fantastic views in all directions from the Front Range in the east to the Sawatchs in the west.
The Decalibron bears this slighly cumbersome name because it climbs DEmocrat, CAmeron, LIncoln, and BROss. Of the four, only Cameron does not count among Colorado's 14ers and that only because the saddle between it and the higher Lincoln does not descend the requisite 300'.
The hike start is from the Kite Lake Trailhead at 12,000' Follow the dirt road six miles from Alma. Passenger cars may find the last mile impassible. A $3 fee is charged for the vehicles that make it the whole way. See GETTING THERE on the main page for more information.
Route Description
While the hike is a circuit and can be climbed in either direction, it is nearly always done clockwise starting with Democrat and heading east from there. Democrat is the most aesthetically pleasing of the peaks and the hardest to climb. Best to get it over with first. The other direction (the BroLiCaDem?) is also possible but very uncommon.
Start from Kite Lake and follow the well-worn path past the east side of the lake. The main trail winds back and forth past a mine ruin and over tallus eventually reaching the Cameron-Democrat saddle. Ascend 700' to the west picking your way over tallus as best you are able. There are several faint trails here, but sticking to the ridge crest is probably just as easy. The false summit at 13,900' finally reveals the true summit a tenth of a mile farther off. Descend back to the saddle. Beware that you are now committed to hiking the whole loop! The cliffs that flank Cameron's south side will hamper retreat options until you get all the way over to Bross. If the weather looks threatening or if members of your party are not up for it, turn back here!
Ascend the west ridge of Cameron on good trail and enjoy the views to the north into Platte Gulch and the popular Quandary Peak to the north. The summit of Cameron is a flat, gravelly affair marked with a lonesome cairn and some mining ruins. Descend to the north east and follow the obvious path half a mile to the double-humped summit of Lincoln. This is the high-point of the route and the 8th highest summit on Colorado.
Return to the Lincoln-Cameron saddle and either reascend Cameron or skirt it to the east on good trail. The path (dare I say road?) toward Bross is obvious and accessible to 4x4s and mountain bikes. As such, it does not present much of a challenge to foot traffic. In fact, the most challenging part may be finding the actual summit of Bross. The top of Bross makes Cameron look like an airy pinnacle! (The summit itself is marked with a three-sided rock shelter.)
Descent from Bross is your last task. The main trail bears south and west from the summit. You will pass the top of a broad couloir shortly which makes a good descent route if there is still snow present (mid-June). Otherwise, continue southwest and follow the trail down the ridgeline to the south of the couloir. Hike back across half a mile of meadow to reach Kite Lake.
Essential GearIn good summer conditions, the Decalibron is an easy hike with no special requirements. But be prepared for bad weather! Extra clothing, rain gear and water are essential for any expedition above treeline. Retreat from the middle portion of this route is not an easy option.
In the winter, basic snow gear is sufficient for the loop. Democrat is the steepest terrain and avalanche safety gear is recommended.
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