Log In 
Peak(s):  Mt. Democrat  -  14,154 feet
Mt. Cameron  -  14,248 feet
Mt. Lincoln  -  14,293 feet
Mt. Bross  -  14,178 feet
Date Posted:  08/16/2014
Modified:  08/17/2015
Date Climbed:   08/16/2014
Author:  hikerdawg
 DeCaLiBron   

Me and the girls (Lisa and 2 dogs) left our Littleton house at 4am and made it up to the TH just before 6am. Road is rough and I wouldn't have thought low clearance vehicles would make it all the way up but there were a handful. Our Rav4 had no issues as long as you pay attention. We went ahead and parked up in the pay area ($3) because we wanted the shortest route possible for the dogs. The only other one they've been up is Grays last year. There were only a couple spots left all the way up when we got there since it looked like a lot of people camped out. It's a little strange starting a hike above treeline but might as well take advantage of the few you can. We moved here Aug 2011 and I have been waiting on this hike to see if the whole Bross private land thing worked itself out but decided that this was the best option for what we wanted. Lisa only wants to do probably the top 20-25 "easiest" 14ers so our list of ones that are close enough for a same day trip is getting smaller.
Image
From the parking lot looking up at Democrat


We decided to stick with the standard route and set off around 6:30 with many many others. It's another summer Saturday so the crowds were expected meaning bathroom lines and backups up and down Democrat.
Image
Hiking up towards the Democrat-Cameron saddle


Once you hit the Democrat-Cameron saddle, it's mostly single/double track the rest of the way to the false summit/summit ridge. Easy hiking but not a lot of passing lanes so be patient and enjoy the views, no need to try and push since there's a lot of kids and dogs taking advantage of these 14ers "easier", closer to Denver. There are a few places with some loose rocks heading up but again, it's a fairly standard walk up. After you make the false summit, you get a mild walk over to the final summit pitch. This area is a great place to take a "summit" break if the summit itself is a little too crowded to sit down and enjoy. We did on the way back down to let the dogs eat/drink.
Image
On top of Democrat false summit, looking at remaining route to Democrat


The summit isn't that large or flat so be prepared to spend it with a large group of friends. We hit it at 8:30 and only stayed long enough for a couple quick pics since one of our dogs is a little skittish around people.
Image
Democrat summit - dogs 2nd 14er


There are a couple of switchbacks/S-turns just below the false summit that got log-jammed due to the number of people going both ways and nowhere really to bail out of the way but it eventually all worked itself out. Once we got back down to the Democrat-Cameron saddle, the crowd thinned out considerably since the rest of the route is a loop back to Kite Lake. There isn't anything to the Cameron summit hike but simply convincing your body that although we were just descending like the hike is almost over, we're now going to go back up.....repeat 2 more times.
Image
Looking back at crowd hitting Democrats summit ridge

Image
Down Cameron with Democrat in background

Image
Going up Cameron


The top of Cameron is huge and somewhat level with no big rocks to perch on. I actually don't remember seeing anyone sitting on it. Mostly it's big hill on the way to Lincoln. We were on the summit around 10:20 and kept on moving.
Image
Cameron summit looking north

Image
Looking at Lincoln


Drop off the northeast side of Cameron with a small descent and walk across an open area to start the ascent to Lincoln. You don't lose much elevation leaving Cameron and I don't know the exact distance but it's a short hike from Cameron to Lincoln. To gain the summit of Lincoln you do cross over the most "technical" (barely class 2) part of the hike based on the route but the descent from Bross was worse IMO - more on that to come. Anyway, the top of Lincoln is more like Democrat than Cameron or Bross, not overly large or flat. The clouds didn't look that bad but there were a lot of them starting back on our ascent up Cameron, so I was pushing the girls a little to make sure we got off Lincoln. We made the summit just before 10:45. I knew we could take the rest of the hike easier but I didn't want to get stuck the furthest away from the car as possible if something did move in fast. After you descend Lincoln, there is a path around Cameron to gain the saddle over to Bross meaning that you don't have to summit Cameron again to get over to Bross. We took another break on the way over to get the dogs some water.
Image

Image

Image

Image
Looking at Cameron on the way from Lincoln to Bross


The climb up Bross is one of the easier hikes up to a summit I can imagine. There isn't much going on between Cameron and Bross but some great views. The ground is mostly dirt with small rocks. The summit of Bross is enormous and does have a few small areas where rocks have been piled up enough to take a seat and relax, which we did after making the summit at 11:30. We knew it was time to head down when the dogs started laying down across the rocks awkwardly so we started our final descent of the day around 11:50. The descent from Bross was a good bit steeper than I was expecting and I wasn't alone as most of the people coming down around us felt the same way. There are a multitude of loose areas with a few places steep enough people were going sideways and even a couple sliding on their butts. Lisa and I were fine and didn't need to use our hands at any point but I could tell that wasn't the case for some who may have been on their first or second trips on 13ers/14ers or had some slicker shoes. If this is your first hike and you have the time I would consider going back down via the Cameron and Democrat saddle. It's obviously longer but no doubt easier. I didn't get any good shots of the worst parts but I've put in a few general shots at the bottom. We were back to the car before 1 and home by 3, so a great 11 hour exhausting adventure.
Image
The hike over the Bross

Image
Bross summit

Image
Heading down Bross

Image
Down Bross



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18


Comments or Questions
JameyEdge77
User
Great Info. Thanks
10/2/2014 4:03am
Enjoyed the info and appreciate the pictures. I am planning on doing the circle trail tomorrow for Democrat, Cameron and Lincoln. Bross is not ”off limits.” You're lucky you guys were able to do it.
Jamey


jmjr2k
User
A Little Advice Please...
7/31/2016 10:44pm
Nice trip report! I noticed that you had your canine friends along with you. It looks like they did pretty well at altitude for an extended period of time. We are heading out that way in a couple weeks, and planning on doing the DeCaLiBron too. Any tips on preparing our two black labs who live in Missouri for the journey? Their humans also need some conditioning by the way as well! We bought them some light packs, and they are getting used to wearing some booties right now on their walks. I'm kinda concerned about the steeper slope on the way back down from Mt. Bross. Thanks for any experience you can share! ...Joe


hikerdawg
User
Dogs
8/7/2016 3:12pm
The last part down is steeper than you'd expect but take it slow and be prepared for people to pass. Our dogs did fine without booties but I would always use them if they are used to them.



   Not registered?


Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.


Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.