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Kite Lake Loop |
I arrived at the trailhead at 01:00. The clouds/storms had cleared out and the car said about 40 degrees. Met up with another hiker and we set off about 01:45. The very first part of the trail crosses the spillway of Kite Lake. The water covers entirely across the width of walkable area and probably 100+ feet. There is a bypass a little further down but it is hard to find in the dark. There was water on the trail for a good ways up, and in a few places it was hard to keep the trail in the dark. The stars kept getting better and better and there was no wind until the saddle was reached, about 50 minutes in. We turned right to Cameron and followed the mostly gentle trail to the west side of the ridge then practically stumbled upon the summit's pile of rocks about an hour after the saddle. If you aren't sure which way to continue (we weren't, the trail was faint in a few places), just head 180 degrees from your initial approach to the top. After a brief stop, the slightly steeper trail on the other side led down to a wind shelter. From here the double-knob of Lincoln was out of view but the hike was smooth to the summit. A little windy and chilly at just before 04:00 we stopped for photos and a snack. We were also unsure in the dark how to find the way to Bross but it was fairly easy. We came back down the trail then just followed low and to the left from near the Cameron-Lincoln saddle (almost no uphill back towards Cameron needed). The trail was easy to cruise and in very good shape, and somewhere we merged with a road-ish-thing and one steep part then a couple switch backs led straight to the last part of the summit ridge. A small sign under a rock let us know we had arrived, just before 05:00. The trail down continued just on the other side of the wind shelter, traversing for a long ways. It got a little steeper and there was much loose dirt and rocks, made for slow going and a few stumbles. Once the rocks ended and the greenery began, the end was near and the trail was good. A nice waterfall also along the way.
Summary:
6 miles
3 peaks
5 hours total, about 1.5 hours of breaks
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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