Mt. Democrat

Route: Standard
Posted On: 5/28/2013, By: SnowAlien
Info: One can drive up to 1 mile from the summer TH. I was hiking in the PM and did a fair amount of postholing even on the road. There is also water running underneath. Snow coverage seems to increase after the lake, so flotation seems to be necessary 

Route: East Slope
Posted On: 3/7/2013, By: SnowAlien
Info: Did the loop from Kite Lake/Paris Mill winter closure. There are some big drifts on the road, but also dry patches. The road becomes fully covered about a mile from summer TH. Snowshoes were not needed for Bross, Cameron and Lincoln, but highly recommended for Democrat almost to the saddle with Cameron. Democrat sports great coverage on Emma Lake chutes and SE slope sides. Although be careful - Arkansas has a big slide on the same aspect. Great weather day with very little wind. Photos: 1. Democrat as seen from the slopes of dry Bross 2. Democrat as seen from Cameron (used the summer route - when I could see it :), with snow largerly avoidable) 3. Democrat summit 4. Democrat from Kite Lake basin on the hike out 

Route: Lincoln
Posted On: 2/18/2013, By: lightburn
Info: I was able to get half way in the Kite lake road with a passenger car-doubt a 4x4 could get further though. There were some drifts on the road and on the peaks but I didn‘t use crampons, ice ax, or snowshoes. There was some ice so spikes would have been nice. I lost a mitt so if anyone finds it let me know: black womens small. Thanks. Janet 

Route: East Slope
Posted On: 12/24/2012, By: spiderman
Info: We were only driving a van and got stopped 3 miles from Kite Lake. A 4wd vehicle could push on for another 2 miles. Bare booted to peaks; gaitors recommended and microspikes were beneficial but not necessary. Snowshoes would be of negligible utility and we chose to ditch them on the approach to the lake. Snow is very light above the saddle between Democrat and Cameron and we walked on bare dirt and rocks for about half of the time. There is no snow after Cameron; the south facing slopes of Bross are bare. Very sad :( 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 11/22/2012, By: illusion7il
Info: Microspikes were needed on Democrat. All other peaks had just a few patches of snow but not deep enough for gaiters. Road is in good condition. 

Route: East Slope
Posted On: 10/20/2012, By: MountainHiker
Info: Some ice and snow on the trail. Above the saddle it was nice having MicroSpikes and a pole on the way down. The mountains are really blown off, so there’s no depth to the snow. The trails hold the snow more than the rest of the mountain. 

Route: East Slope
Posted On: 6/2/2012, By: Jeremya
Info: Trail is snow-free and in great shape all the way to the top. The main summit still has a fairly large snowfield that is great for the descent. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 6/4/2012, By: seth0687
Info: Went up the Decalibron on 6/1. Took my wife‘s Subi Legacy all the way to the trailhead. Low clearance 2wd cars are no problem so long as you take it slow and navigate the rocks and pot holes. There is virtually no snow aside from the last ridge at 13,900 on Democrat. Cameron was snow free aside from patches on the Dem-Cam ridge. Lincoln had some snow on the last 100 yds of the summit ridge but nothing to bad and Bross was just about 100% snow free. We did not bring any traction and in my opinion none is needed. Winds were horrible at >80mph but aside from that the weather was stable. 

Route: Standard
Posted On: 5/30/2012, By: MTGOAT72
Info: Went up Democrat today with about 25 other strangers. Windy day, most people thought it was 80-100mph. My windmeter clocked the avg from the saddle to the summit at 40-55mph. At the saddle on my way down I got it up to just under 70mph. I called it a day after that. A lot of people continued on to climb the circuit. TReport on my blog if interested: http://coloradoascents.blogspot.com/2012/05/mount-democrat.html 

Route: East Slope
Posted On: 5/28/2012, By: jeffco970
Info: Hiked the "standard" East Slope approach today in regular hiking boots with no problems. A few short snow patches are still present on the first section of trail, then again just as you get to the saddle, and then one larger snowfield on final summit approach to Democrat. (pic) The snow is hard-packed, very icy (solid ice from melt / refreeze) / slick in early mornings then slushy / muddy with afternoon sun exposure. The Summit Log for Mt Democrat was missing this date. The summit log container looks as it if has been vandalized / crushed and no semblance of log book, just the tie-down cable and partial container remnants. 

Route: East Slope
Posted On: 5/27/2012, By: krishcane
Info: Mostly snow free on the way up the steeper pitches, but the top is all snow. Snow is hardpacked, no postholing now, but slick in places. Microspikes not needed (we were the only ones who had them it seemed) but they sure made it more comfortable. 

Route: East Slope
Posted On: 5/27/2012, By: arianna2
Info: Some icy snowpack on democrat trail. Microspikes nice but not necessary on that peak only. The rest of the peaks pretty dry. Very windy but not too cold. Road to kite lake in good shape even for 2wd. Lots of camping areas. Don‘t forget $3 for parking unless you want to park 100 yards down or so. 

Route: East Slope
Posted On: 5/22/2012, By: scrambling
Info: The road is clear and dry. A bit rough but there were several passenger cars at the Kite Lake parking lot today. There is a fair bit of snow along the route of the four-peak circuit. No traction required, but putting the micro spikes in the pack is probably not a bad idea, just in case. No postholing experienced on a clockwise circuit, starting at 7 a.m. 

Route: East Slope
Posted On: 5/12/2012, By: abchak1
Info: Climbed Democrat this morning after getting 4-5 ish inches of snow cover last night. No snowshoes needed, though. Only a few post-holing moments. Microspikes served us well. The snow was getting mushier by 10 am, and might melt off soon. The road to Kite Lake was clear of snow by 10 am, but VERY muddy. 

Route: East Slope
Posted On: 5/6/2012, By: MtJunkie
Info: Snow below the saddle is hard packed may cause postholing if you descend later in the day. Any snow above the saddle was avoidable. I had microspikes but never took them out of my pack.