White out, sleet and snow. Had to guide a stranger down. Make sure and go to some of the sites and visually memorize the way before you go. When it's beautiful, no problems, but... I can't say enough about not taking the easy way down- right through the scree fields. Hundreds of us do it, and then the mountains get torn right up. I know nature slides the hills, but we do it faster. The high trailhead makes for an easy 3 peak day. Still time to head to some hotsprings after.
Route Climbed: Kite Lake Trail Date Climbed: June 11, 2005
It was a cold morning. About half of the trail was covered with snow. Some of it was knee deep. It made for a hard climb. We reached the summit in 3 1/2 hours. Awesome views from the top! Storm clouds were rolling in so we decided against trying for Lincoln & Bross. It snowed on us during the descent. Still a great day!
Route Climbed: Kite Lake Date Climbed: 2 September 2005
Arrived at Kite Lake in the dark the night before and camped. Awoke to a GORGEOUS view of Democrat, Cameron, and Bross (Lincoln can't be seen from the lake) begging me to climb! Climbed all 4 that day with Democrat being the first test. It's a very different mountain with all the large boulders to climb over! View from the top was stupendous. Would definitely recommend.
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: August 22, 2005
Climbed this from Montgomery Reservoir. This was a great route up until the last few hundred meters. The ridge can be done all 3rd/2nd class but that involves signifigant traversing below the ridge top to the west across many rubble filled gullies. It is more satisfying to stay on the ridge top, although this entails decent amounts of exposed third class maneuvering on mostly solid rock. Near the top of this ridge you encounter an old mine with a faint trail leading towards the summit. This trail doesn't gain ground very quickly. I suggest ignoring it and proceeding directly upwards near or on the ridge top. Also the descent from the Democrat/Cameron saddle was an obnoxious scree slope, very slow going. It would probably be better to continue over Cameron and Lincoln and descend Lincoln amphitheatre to Montgomery reservoir. A short side trip to Bross would net all the peaks of the 'DeCaLiBron' in a far more asthetic manner than the Kite Lake trails.
Route Climbed: Kite Lake Date Climbed: August 21, 2005
We reached the summit of Democrat in approx. 2 1/2 hours (by 9:00 AM). Lost track of the trail & ended up rock scrambling. We were going to bag Lincoln & Bross, but the clouds were building up & getting darker, so we decided to head to camp. The storms started early (by 10:45 -11:00 AM), which surprised us. Glad we trusted our gut feeling! One member of our party did bag all three peaks. He stated that the scree on Bross lived up to its reputation. He (luckily) made it back to camp as the lightning was starting!
Route Climbed: Decalibron Date Climbed: March 2003
Beautiful winter day...and although it was a long one, I don't recall any strenuous climbing. Only passed one area with possible avy danger, as well as only one group of 2 people (who my friends happened to know anyway). Even though we all had crampons, we had no need for them except one 50 ft. section of alpine ice descending the saddle between Cameron and Bross. Ended up Spider(wom)man-ing across some exposed rocks instead of using 'em though. Incredible experience in every aspect...well worth every minute.
Weather was perfect, people were everywhere, all over the mtns. It was nice to see how many people are getting into hiking 14ers. Descending Bross was interesting with all the loose scree, it was almost easier to "ski" down the rocks.
Route Climbed: Kite Lake Date Climbed: July 24, 2005
After the evening hail, starry sky at 4:30 AM with dispersed clouds accumulating over the peaks. Ptarmigans on trail at daybreak. Ryan and I climbed Democrat in two and half hours. I was slowing him down even he wont say. (Thanks for your patience!) Was surprised to not get rained on on the summit considering the way the clouds looked! Great hike! Proceded to Mt.Cameron very nervous about the clouds.....Ryan was rather optimistic....
brandon - Oct 1, 2005 2:04 pm
Route Climbed: Decalibron Date Climbed: 7/31/052:55 car to car
Bob Sihler - Sep 30, 2005 10:21 pm
Route Climbed: Kite Lake Date Climbed: July 19, 2004beat the fog by seconds, literally
pjenson05 - Sep 26, 2005 10:01 am
Route Climbed: From Kite Lake Date Climbed: Septermber 24, 2005Good hike. Very windy. For beginners that want to climb multiple mountains in one day, this is the hike. All four mountains in 4hrs 30min.
samajax - Sep 12, 2005 1:57 pm
Route Climbed: Kite Lake Date Climbed: 8Sept04White out, sleet and snow. Had to guide a stranger down. Make sure and go to some of the sites and visually memorize the way before you go. When it's beautiful, no problems, but... I can't say enough about not taking the easy way down- right through the scree fields. Hundreds of us do it, and then the mountains get torn right up. I know nature slides the hills, but we do it faster. The high trailhead makes for an easy 3 peak day. Still time to head to some hotsprings after.
cowboypete - Sep 8, 2005 1:56 pm
Route Climbed: Kite Lake Trail Date Climbed: June 11, 2005It was a cold morning. About half of the trail was covered with snow. Some of it was knee deep. It made for a hard climb. We reached the summit in 3 1/2 hours. Awesome views from the top! Storm clouds were rolling in so we decided against trying for Lincoln & Bross. It snowed on us during the descent. Still a great day!
BeginnerClimber - Sep 6, 2005 7:28 pm
Route Climbed: Kite Lake Date Climbed: 2 September 2005Arrived at Kite Lake in the dark the night before and camped. Awoke to a GORGEOUS view of Democrat, Cameron, and Bross (Lincoln can't be seen from the lake) begging me to climb! Climbed all 4 that day with Democrat being the first test. It's a very different mountain with all the large boulders to climb over! View from the top was stupendous. Would definitely recommend.
KyndKlimber - Sep 5, 2005 2:29 pm
Route Climbed: Southeast Face Date Climbed: September 2 2005This route truly teseted my training program! 2.4 miles with an 2150 feet ascent, great day great climb!
tdoughty - Sep 5, 2005 2:07 pm
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: Sept '96With Paul Dowdy. In a day from San Diego CA. In an early winter storm...kicked my butt!
davebobk47 - Sep 2, 2005 11:10 pm
Route Climbed: Kite Lake Date Climbed: 2 September 051st of 4 mountains that day. Not a bad scramble going up, not as much fun going down.
PapaBanucci - Sep 2, 2005 12:22 pm
Route Climbed: Standard route from Kite Lake Date Climbed: July 30, 2005Climbed it with my eight-year-old daughter. It was a long hike for her but we made it and she was quite proud of herself.
TomSellick - Aug 31, 2005 6:23 pm
Route Climbed: Decalibron Date Climbed: August 14, 2004Long slog up that slope....
Mike Mc - Aug 28, 2005 10:39 pm
Route Climbed: East Face Date Climbed: July 2004Storms were moving in, never made it to Bross
Woodie Hopper - Aug 25, 2005 8:26 am
Route Climbed: East face Date Climbed: July '04Trifecta
umbra alta - Aug 23, 2005 2:04 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: August 22, 2005Climbed this from Montgomery Reservoir. This was a great route up until the last few hundred meters. The ridge can be done all 3rd/2nd class but that involves signifigant traversing below the ridge top to the west across many rubble filled gullies. It is more satisfying to stay on the ridge top, although this entails decent amounts of exposed third class maneuvering on mostly solid rock. Near the top of this ridge you encounter an old mine with a faint trail leading towards the summit. This trail doesn't gain ground very quickly. I suggest ignoring it and proceeding directly upwards near or on the ridge top. Also the descent from the Democrat/Cameron saddle was an obnoxious scree slope, very slow going. It would probably be better to continue over Cameron and Lincoln and descend Lincoln amphitheatre to Montgomery reservoir. A short side trip to Bross would net all the peaks of the 'DeCaLiBron' in a far more asthetic manner than the Kite Lake trails.
MelM - Aug 22, 2005 5:27 pm
Route Climbed: Kite Lake Date Climbed: August 21, 2005We reached the summit of Democrat in approx. 2 1/2 hours (by 9:00 AM). Lost track of the trail & ended up rock scrambling. We were going to bag Lincoln & Bross, but the clouds were building up & getting darker, so we decided to head to camp. The storms started early (by 10:45 -11:00 AM), which surprised us. Glad we trusted our gut feeling! One member of our party did bag all three peaks. He stated that the scree on Bross lived up to its reputation. He (luckily) made it back to camp as the lightning was starting!
POWERJL - Aug 18, 2005 12:37 pm
Route Climbed: Lincoln, Bross & Democrat 'loop' Date Climbed: September 3, 1998Great hike across the mountain tops!
haytraci - Jul 28, 2005 6:23 pm
Route Climbed: Decalibron Date Climbed: March 2003Beautiful winter day...and although it was a long one, I don't recall any strenuous climbing. Only passed one area with possible avy danger, as well as only one group of 2 people (who my friends happened to know anyway). Even though we all had crampons, we had no need for them except one 50 ft. section of alpine ice descending the saddle between Cameron and Bross. Ended up Spider(wom)man-ing across some exposed rocks instead of using 'em though. Incredible experience in every aspect...well worth every minute.
kylerlott - Jul 25, 2005 5:01 pm
Route Climbed: Decalibron Date Climbed: 7-23-05Weather was perfect, people were everywhere, all over the mtns. It was nice to see how many people are getting into hiking 14ers. Descending Bross was interesting with all the loose scree, it was almost easier to "ski" down the rocks.
Helga - Jul 24, 2005 9:08 pm
Route Climbed: Kite Lake Date Climbed: July 24, 2005After the evening hail, starry sky at 4:30 AM with dispersed clouds accumulating over the peaks. Ptarmigans on trail at daybreak. Ryan and I climbed Democrat in two and half hours. I was slowing him down even he wont say. (Thanks for your patience!) Was surprised to not get rained on on the summit considering the way the clouds looked! Great hike! Proceded to Mt.Cameron very nervous about the clouds.....Ryan was rather optimistic....
alpine master - Jul 24, 2005 4:59 pm
Route Climbed: 4 peak combo Date Climbed: Aug 29th 2002Quick and easy