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Peak(s):  Mt. Democrat  -  14,154 feet
Mt. Cameron  -  14,248 feet
Mt. Lincoln  -  14,293 feet
Mt. Bross  -  14,178 feet
Date Posted:  07/03/2005
Date Climbed:   07/02/2005
Author:  downhilldave
    

Was able to hike all the peaks on Saturday July 2 from Kite Lake. The first weekend the peaks were "CLOSED" to the public. Went to Democrat first which had a good trail but a few spots were it lost itself. Few snow fields to cross but nothing to worry about. Took 1:30 (1 hour 30 minutes) to summit. Headed over to Cameron which took 1:10. It was a lot longer then I though it would be. Cameron had a false summit from the saddle that really fooled me. Clouds were building but I though it was still ok to push on. Made it to Cameron where it was very windy.

Coming up to the crest and seeing Lincoln for the first time was amazing. I was surprised at how close the two were. Made it to the summit of Lincoln in 0:10 where i was able to have the summit to myself for a few minutes. Cloulds were looking dark and I was begining to worry a bit since I still had three miles to get back to my car, and all were above tree line.

As I was leaving Lincoln, a wind gust of at least 50 mph came and blew my hat off. I though it went of the cliff on the southeast side of lincoln. I went ahead and looked over the cliff and it was just sitting on the edge. I was thankfull I had my trekking poles to reach down and get it. By this time there was a stong wind out of the west and some dark clouds to my south. I headed over to Bross with faith in God that he would keep the lightning away. I crossed a snow field on the slpoes of Cameron that had a good trail. Just before I got to the saddle of Cameron-Bross. I stopped and waited about 5 minutes for a dark cloud to pass. I DID NOT want to be on the ridge with that cloud overhead.

As I started hiking again and got to the saddle, the wind was blowing like crazy. Constant wind of at least 50 mph with stronger guest for sure. Had to lean way into the wind to just walk straight. Finally made it to Bross 0:40 after leaving Lincoln. About 12 people of the summit. As I was leaving everyone that was there began to hike down following the first trail on the right (south). From Bills directions, I followed the summit ridgeline to the second gully where I saw a trail leading down. At this point the wind was blowing hard well over 50 mph again if not more. It also started spitting snow. There was no real trail from the top but about 100 feet donw the gully I was able to pick up the trail. At about halfway down it met up with the other trail that the people took. It look a little sketchy in parts. The trail lost elevation fast and was very loose rock. You would take a step and slide a foot. Near the bottom there were amazing wildflowers and views looking back up the 2,000 ft gully. It took 1:00 to get back to the car from the summit of Bross.



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