Log In 

Mt. Democrat

Peak Condition Updates  
11/30/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 11/30/2022, By: wmagnuson7
Info: The conditions today were very challenging. Most of the way up Democrat, there was zero trench/trail, so I was post-holing even with snowshoes given the recent 6-12 (?) inches of snow DeCaLiBron received earlier this week. However, the winds were so strong that by the time I got back to Kite Lake, I saw that my tracks were already filled in with snow. The route to Cameron, Lincoln and Bross was nearly entirely clear of snow, which was great as far not needing snowshoes, but the winds were probably steadily 30 mph with gusts of 50-60 mph. I am a very strong 6'5", 235 pounds and the winds were pushing me around, so it was both physically and mentally exhausting. Also, the gate closes November 1st every year, so add 2 miles and ~500 feet of elevation gain. However, in light of the aforementioned challenges, that was the least of my concerns. Currently, the road up to the gate is in great shape and any car could make it. In summation, I would recommend doing this hike in summer or fall and actually enjoying yourself (I am saying that to myself as well). If you really want to do it in the near future, you would need snowshoes and microspikes, but no ice axe or crampons. God bless. 
11/26/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 11/26/2022, By: 100PeaksAdv
Info: The road is easily navigable up to the gate. The snow that is present is well packed and easy to traverse. This goes both for snow in the basin as well as the ridge lines/ peaks. Traction was definitely nice to have, but not necessary. No flotation needed at least until the next snow storm. If you dropped a hat today, feel free to shoot me a message! 
6
11/19/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 11/20/2022, By: JQDivide
Info: Gate closed. (adds 2 miles round trip) No snowshoes needed. Road is mostly clear. Routes is almost entirely covered with snow. Varies from an inch or two to a foot. Boots are fine, but Spikes are helpful. 
11/11/2022
Route: East Slope
Posted On: 11/11/2022, By: wintersage
Info: Quick little acclimatization hike up Democrat. Low of -5F, high of 7F made for a cold and windy day. Road was absolutely dry up to the closure, from there I just hiked up and put on microspikes at the actual Kite Lake Trailhead and kept them on the whole day. No need for snowshoes, didn't bring them, and just dealt with the occasional postholing. 
7 1
10/13/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 10/17/2022, By: ArkieHiker
Info: Did the loop in the Bross, Lincoln, Cameron, Democrat order. Conditions were as follows: Bross: Traction not needed, good amount of snow after 13,400 until legal limit. Did not ascend above legal limit. Lincoln: some snow on traverse. Solid snow on ridge, was not icy at this time. Cameron: Snow on north face and on descent to Cameron/Democrat saddle. Traction would have been helpful. Democrat: I wished I had traction. Solid snow on trail packed into a skating rink from saddle to ridge crest. Highly recommend carrying spikes or poles for this section. While you can rock hop, be careful while doing so, I took several bruising falls. Below Democrat saddle was clear of all snow. Saw 10 people, only 3 completed all 4 that I'm aware of. 
10/13/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 10/14/2022, By: mtn14
Info: Great hike! Went clockwise. Windy: 20-40 mph all day, as forecasted, with the exception of the few wind breaks (unexpectedly, the west side of Lincoln summit was one of the best breaks - was able to eat lunch there). Democrat: The wind was a hazard while decending Democrat: going down the steep section with hard-pack snow was doubly tough as the sunrise was melting the top layer in spots, and the wind was pushing me down the hill the whole time. I'm not sure how people would be able to make this decent without micro-spikes/yak-tracks and trekking poles. Bross: I found yak-tracks to be helpful decending all that the loose dirt on Bross. Newbies: if you're like me, and just getting into 14ers (2022 season is my first season!), then you're trying to figure out how to plan for various conditions. Check out the forum! Also, ear plugs, chap stick, and face covering really helped me with wind fatigue. 
10/7/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 10/8/2022, By: headsizeburrito
Info: Did the loop counter clockwise and descended via Democrat south ridge to the power lines and then dropped east to Lake Emma trail. Snow accumulating in places that may stick around for the season at this point. Snow still patchy and did the loop without spikes, but would have worn them coming down Democrat if I had been descending the standard trail. Definitely at least carry spikes at this point in the season. Attached are a few pics from the Democrat/Cameron saddle looking towards the peaks, plus looking towards Buckskin to show what some north aspects are like currently. 
4
9/11/2022
Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 9/12/2022, By: Thevirtualsherpa
Info: Adding this for anyone else interested in this route. Read up on this in GR's book and thought I would give it a go, full review coming on my channel and website but for those who do not want to wait: -Started at Buckskin and linked the south ridge of Dem since I thought that would be a fun loop. Had done Buckskin previously but the ridge over to the south saddle of Dem added almost 0 value unless you like checking out old powerline garbage. The South ridge itself was very tedious with LOADS of loose rock. I stuck to the ridge proper 95% of the time except for a few areas where the rock just felt way too unstable to downclimb. However, it did go the whole time with no cliffouts that I could find. Climbing consisted of about 100x climbing up 10ft, then down 10ft. Rock quality was overall poor. Even some very large slabs felt loose and trusting anything was hard to do. Difficulty was mostly class 2 with about 30% class 3 and 10% class 4 if you were looking for it. You could easily skirt around a lot of the towers if you wanted but ultimately, you would have to climb to regain the ridge so this would probably be an even bigger waste of time. Overall, probably the best way up Democrat I am aware of but nothing classic in terms of scrambling. 5 Miles, 3k of climbing with Buckskin - Without likely 3ish miles with 2k of climbing 
8/22/2022
Route: East Slope
Posted On: 8/28/2022, By: claugh
Info: Drove the road to Kite Lake with 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan (measured 6" of clearance under the car). Road is in great condition. It must have been graded recently since there wasn't a single spot where I was worried the car would bottom-out or that a tall rock would scrape/damage something under the car. I was pleasantly surprised how 'un-eventful' the drive was. Before you get to the trail-head there's a pull-out on the left side of the road with a sign & parking permit envelopes. You can get them at the trail-head, but I'd recommend you pick-up one at the pull-out. When we got to the trail-head there were only 2-3 envelopes in the box. Glad we didn't have to turn-around & drive back down to the pull-out to get an envelope. Trail to Democrat is in good condition and easy to follow. No snow left anywhere on the trail. We only got off-course once or twice in the rocks, and that was only for about 2-3 minutes each time. 
7/5/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 7/6/2022, By: jillianju
Info: A few bumpy spots on the road to the trail head but nothing a 4WD car with good clearance couldn't handle. Summer conditions on the trail the entire way. There is a small snow field on your way to summit Mt. Democrat but it's easily bypassed if you walk around it. Mt. Cameron also has a small section of snow as you are beginning your ascent up it from the saddle. We didn't use any micro spikes and just walked through it since it was a pretty small amount. Summer conditions all the way over to Mt. Lincoln. Bross bypass trail also is free of snow. 
6/26/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 6/26/2022, By: jakeandorbake
Info: Parked overnight about 0.15 before trailhead and camped in car. Stock 2011 rav4, likely could have made it to the end but the road crux looked absolutely awful after the wet weather this spring. I'd say a careful sedan could still make it up to my spot though Trails surprisingly dry after storms. All snow on the full route is either trenched in super well or 50ft posthole sessions you should just walk around (even with traction). Low winds As a result, quick moving today and got from TH to TH in 2:59 
6/25/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 6/26/2022, By: terribletigzy
Info: Summer conditions. Parking at the upper trail head is a bit rough, there are two heavily eroded ruts that my Subaru was able to make it across. Cars with lower clearance would be best off parking a bit further down the road. 
6/16/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 6/16/2022, By: takelifeoutside
Info: Will second the last post, summer conditions in full swing. Arrived at trailhead at 6am, parking lot pretty full with cars going as far as a half mile down the road. Went clockwise and didnt have the concerns others have expressed about the conditions going down bross. Though in a 4wd car I only found the last 50yards to the parking lot truly rough, a 2wd car did get a flat about a quarter mile from the parking lot. Took about 3 1/2 hours RT. 
3 1
6/12/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 6/13/2022, By: tylerhohs
Info: Summer conditions. 95% of the Decalibron loop is snow free, some minor snow fields that can be easily traversed or avoided/scrambled around. Brought spikes but didn't use them. 14er season is OPEN for business! 
6/10/2022
Route: Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, Bross
Posted On: 6/10/2022, By: glodder
Info: Completed the Decalibron today. Road was open all the way to the Kite Lake TH. Almost summer conditions. A few short snow fields to cross, I did not use spikes or my axe at all.