Route Description

Take Colorado 9 to Alma. In the middle of town and on the west side of the road, look for a small sign for the road to Kite Lake. Turn here and drive a bit through a residential area. Continue 6 miles to Kite Lake. The last mile of this road can be a bit more rough, but a good-clearance 2WD should still be able to make it when the road is dry. There are restrooms and some camping spots at the trailhead. You must pay a small fee to park/camp at Kite Lake. If you park below (no fee), walk up the road to Kite Lake.

Details:

From the parking area, locate a trail that leaves the east side of the parking area just before the road continues over the drainage from Kite Lake - Photo #1. Hike east over the basin and begin the ascent toward the gully that drains between Mt. Bross and “South Bross” - Photo #2. Reach the base of the gully near 12,300’ (Photo #3) and easily cross to its south side - Photo #4. Hike up through some steep rocks and turn right (southeast) up terrain south of the gully. Near 12,500’ the trail turns back to the left to get closer to the gully. Continue along the south side of the gully (Photo #5 and Photo #6) to 13,100’ where the trail turns left to the gully - Photo #7 and Photo #8. Turn left, cross the gully, and follow the trail northwest (hard left) toward the ridge on the north side of the gully. Climb 200’ to reach the ridge crest at 13,300’ - Photo #9 and Photo #10.

Follow trail segments up the ridge on rocky terrain - Photo #11. Near 13,600’, the terrain becomes less rocky (Photo #12) and the trail a bit more defined. On your descent, care must be taken in this area because the gravel-covered trail can be slippery. Follow the trail as it climbs left around to the north side of the ridge (Photo #13) where you can see the west side of Bross, and the broad summit. Continue to 14,000’ and intersect the top of the “S” gully that comes up from the west - Photo #14. Follow one of the trail sections across the gully and ascend a loose trail to reach the summit - Photo #15 and Photo #16.