Mt. Cameron

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 6/12/2020, By: madmattd
Info: 99% dry from saddle with Democrat and over to saddle with Lincoln. One short stretch under snow, but easily avoided, and likely won't last long anyway. 

Route: West Ridge
Posted On: 2/25/2020, By: Eagle Eye
Info: I reached Mt Cameron from the Paris Mill (winter closure) on Sunday. I got an early start, trying to beat an incoming weather change but DID NOT. I stayed on the Kite Lake road, then the summer trail around the lake, then reached the Democrat-Cameron saddle.
Most all to that point had been in powder where snowshoes wouldn't have helped. The saddle was loaded up with snow. Visibility kept decreasing as it snowed harder and eventually I couldn't see more than about 30 feet. Nearing the Mt Cameron summit I was on top of the rocky ridge crest instead of the lower, more inset trail. It was a fairly thin and cornice-like passage with big drop-offs on both sides, especially on climbers right. When I reached the summit I turned around. My tracks were already completely covered and I saw no sign I'd come up. I carried but never used my snowshoes, but did wear micro spikes all day.
The area probably got almost a foot of snow during the day. The road up to Paris Mill was second worst I've ever seen it. I'll post in Mosquito Range, Kite Lake TH. Conditions, too. cheers, mike via 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 12/22/2019, By: dwoodward13
Info: Did the loop today starting with Bross. Bross is mostly windblown once gaining some elevation out of Kite Lake. There are 1 or 2 snow slopes, but you could bypass them on rock if you wanted. Route to the base of Cameron is dry. The trail bypassing Cameron is starting to load up a bit in spots. Might be better to go over Cameron both ways after the next storm. Trail to Lincoln is a mix of snow and dry rock; similar story for the trail from Cameron down to the Democrat Saddle. Snowfield on the upper reaches of Democrat can be avoided. Heading back down to Kite Lake, we followed the trail until it started down a headwall near 12,500 and stuck to a rock rib. The trail crossed a loaded slope and the party that put in a booter from Kite Lake up to there sidehilled some steep slopes, with steep slopes above it. We followed the old mining road back down to the lake thats just to the east of the summer trail on a rib. Brought spikes, crampons, and snowshoes and only used the snowshoes from 12,500 back to the car. Shockingly windless for most of the day today! 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 10/17/2019, By: mtngoatwithstyle
Info: Took standard route from Kite Lake up to the saddle of Cameron and Democrat. The wind was INSANE from 13K all the way to almost Cameron. Trail is dry with very few sections that have some old/icy patches. Had to turn around because of the strong and wild gusts pushing and strong winds. The trail will most likely change with our next snow storm cycle. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 9/14/2019, By: RickyDavis
Info: We did the full circuit clockwise. The trailhead was mostly full when we arrived at 7:30pm Friday, and when we departed on our hike at 7am there were cars parked down 3 switchbacks on the road and at least 2 groups with 25+ people. The trail is in full summer conditions and completely dry. There was a lot of wind and the route from the saddle between Democrat and Cameron was fully exposed to the wind. Between Cameron and Bross the wind was blowing hard enough to push me off course a bit. 

Route: West Ridge
Posted On: 1/14/2019, By: Eagle Eye
Info: A nice trip up Mt's Cameron and Lincoln yesterday. I started out a little before the silver mine building on the Kite Lake Rd. Two guys very far ahead of me put down a snowshoe track (thanks!) up to the Democrat-Cameron saddle, and then they went up Mt Democrat. From the D-C saddle I went up toward Mt Cameron which did not have tracks. When I returned back over Mt Cameron from Mt Lincoln another guy was summiting, and he snowboarded from Mt Cameron towards Kite Lake. (See 1/13 Mt Lincoln Peak Conditions for pictures.) 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 1/6/2019, By: Kcmartinez22
Info: Same as report on Lincoln. Just wanted to add the snow on the ridge to Cameron is perfect. Also, upon descent we stayed high in the basin, instead of taking the lower standard route trail back to kite lake. Minimal post holing, and even then, only to your ankle or so. We started in snow shoes and then ditched them for spikes at the base of the Cameron Democrat saddle. Snow shoes aren't really necessary, yet. Poles were helpful.

We parked just below the private property sign at the new winter closure gate (Nissan exterra with a lift). There was also a Jeep Wrangler. There are about 3 parking spaces there. Don't try to go past this spot...the drift in the road is pretty gnarly.

BEAUTIFUL DAY!

1. Looking down ridge from cameron to democrat.
2. Summit shot of Lincoln and the dry ridge between Cameron. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 12/25/2018, By: JulianSmith
Info: Beautiful skiing conditions on the east face... OK, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we were able to ski from the summit all the way back down to the road. Too bad the access on the east side of this peak makes it off limits except to those who are very intrepid or are in the know with some property owners. However, as is typical of this time of year, if you can find some lower angle terrain that faces east, chances are you are going to find some snow you can make some turns on. 

Route: South gully up bross, Lincoln then Cameron
Posted On: 3/13/2018, By: Kcmartinez22
Info: Came up the winter route/ South Gully to Summit Bross, and then Lincoln and Cameron today. Snow was in good shape but not as set as it is on Sherman. Also, turn right towards the West ridge at the picnic area and stay high to reach the south gully. I've put a nice trench in to follow. The snow in the lower basin is shady. Not to sound like a wuss, when the gully turns right at the top of the S, it's pretty steep. Way steeper than the south gully on Sherman. And the snow is continuous to the summit ridge. However, i joined the standard trail just below that.

I used snow shoes the entire way up and then ditched Them for spikes at the bross summit. I've read previous reports saying they're not needed. However, to be safe i would wear them. While there isn't much snow on bross and Cameron summits. There is a sketchy snow field that is pretty loaded you have to cross below Cameron to reach Lincoln. It would also be super slick without them on the Cameron ridge to the Democrat saddle. There is some snow on the ridge and spikes made the descent effortless. I left them on all the way down. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 3/3/2018, By: kevmonster
Info: Some but little snow on the path above Kite Lake. Ascended Bross on the left side ridge and met the standard route right about the south gully. The south gully had a nice ribbon of snow but not skiable continuous. Went to Lincoln then over Cameron. Descended the standard route at the Democrat saddle with a few short, fun butt slides. The warm snow about 12" deep on the road was only slightly annoying. No need for snowshoes at this time, microspikes carried but not used today. Beautiful blue skies and the wind was a mild 25mph at most. Democrat could use some more snow before skiing. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 10/16/2017, By: SkyGirl
Info: Road to Kite Lake is completely dry. Restroom at TH open. The trail was clearly visible, but partially covered with snow up to the mine ruins, then completely covered with snow after that. Traction definitely required. It was extremely windy with blowing snow. I intended to go up Democrat, but based on wind direction I opted to go the other direction. Trail all the way to Cameron summit was distinguishable, very little post holing. The large flat summit was free of snow. On my way down in early afternoon, the trail below the mine was almost free of snow (and muddy). 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 9/26/2017, By: wanderlust073
Info: Trail in good shape. 4-6+ inches of snow on the ridge walk to the summit with a couple slippery spots. Went up and down without spikes. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 8/26/2017, By: Muddy_Mudskipper
Info: Hiked up for sunrise today. Trails immaculate and peak conditions ideal: dry and clear of snow. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 7/8/2017, By: MiketheMan719
Info: Hiked all four peaks today and weather was perfect. The wind does blow in the morning and will send shivers down your body. Bring a jacket and you should be fine. There is still a little snow in some spots, but the trail leads right through it and doesn't create much of a problem at all. By afternoon it started to warm up, so put on the shorts. I concluded my hike at 2:33 and there wasn't any rain, although it appeared clouds we're forming in the distance. 

Route: Direct from Democrat Saddle
Posted On: 5/27/2017, By: stevej
Info: Road closure is approximately 3/4 mile below the lake, near 11,500'. Left my car at 5:10 AM. Good consolidated snow up to the saddle at this hour. Lots of drifts above the saddle, some powdery, some wind-hammered. Democrat looked similar.

Recent wet slide activity on the South flank of Democrat. Bring your axe and either crampons or snowshoes for the steep pitch below the saddle. My spikes stuck great on the ascent, but with softer snow on the descent (before 10AM), it was dangerous. I had snowshoes and axe, but by the time I really needed them, I had no safe place to put them on.