Quick Question

[marshmallow24]

Hey ya'll pretty new to doing 14ers in the winter was looking at connecting Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross some time in the next couple of weeks but was struggling to find recent information about conditions and what I might need.

[Hiker Mike]

Hey ya'll pretty new to doing 14ers in the winter was looking at connecting Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross some time in the next couple of weeks but was struggling to find recent information about conditions and what I might need.

The Bross summit is still closed, so there's that to know.

[BillMiddlebrook]

The Kite Lake road is plowed to the Paris Mill: https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/trailhea ... hparm=mr01

And the peaks and road will be snow-covered.

Here's some help on getting into winter 14ers:
https://www.14ers.com/winter-14ers-for-beginners

[greenschist]

Have you done a winter 14er before? If not, there isn't really a quick answer. Winter 14ers are a whole different ball game than summer/autumn and there is a lot more to consider in order to successfully reach a summit and get home alive. There's a good starting guide here on this site but there's a lot more to it than you can read in an hour or so. You'll want to watch the forecast closely in the lead up to your climb. Storms may deliver exactly what is forecast, or double the expected snowfall. Winds can be strong enough to cause frostbite on exposed skin or knock you down while hiking. The avalanche forecast changes daily, and interpreting avalanche conditions while hiking is a complex science. Have you ever used snowshoes, crampons, or an ice axe? Do you feel comfortable starting and ending your day in the dark? Will you be going alone?

I say all this not to discourage you from a fun day in the mountains, but to make it clear that climbing 4 big peaks this time of year is no mean feat. The road to the Kite Lake trailhead is closed 3 miles away from where it is in the summer, adding 6 miles round-trip to the day. There aren't many recent condition reports because a lot fewer people have what it takes to climb this time of year. If you look who's posted recent conditions reports here, a lot those people have done all 58 14ers as well as lots of mountaineering and climbing beyond Colorado, in all conditions and seasons.

One of the easiest high peaks in winter is nearby 13er Pennsylvania Mountain. Another user here is hoping to organize a group climb later this month, around the same time you were aiming for. I think that's a good place to start.

[mtree]

I have no idea of avalanche conditions out there, but consider checking it out. I don't hike in avalanche territory or even questionable terrain so I'm no help.

If its anything like last year, the 3 mile hike to the summer trailhead will be a slog. Friends of mine attempted last year and they had to navigate some 5 foot snow drifts and trench the entire way. They eventually gave up. It may be in a little better shape or have been trenched already, but don't count on it after the frequent snow we've had. Pack all the gear you own and get an early start! And you better have endurance to burn. Or stay home and smoke weed and pretend you did it.

[daway8]

If you're new to winter 14ers and unfamiliar with this route, you might benefit from a trip report I wrote a ways back where I attempted to highlight some of the common dangers on this loop.

Not an exhaustive list, and the analysis will change drastically based on current conditions, but this will at least give you a starting point of the types of things to be mindful of (just scroll down to the Avalanche Analysis section).

Please note that CAIC currently shows this loop having CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger at all elevations.

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... m=tripmine