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Came up from the Springs on Friday Night to camp near Kite Lake. Checked out the campground to find the trailhead since we would be starting early in the morning and then went back down the road to find some free camping.
At about 10pm some wild rain storms came in and covered the area in snow. Just after midnight the storms cleared out and left us with lots of stars to look at and lots of wind.
Left from the campground at 5AM just due to my slowness and not wanting to get caught in any weather in the afternoon.
Another example of the fun in you can have in Colorado in the summer. My hiking poles did come in handy as I made my way up the trail and encountered the snow and ice where the melt and the flow of the little creek froze over.
As I made my way up towards the saddle, I looked back down in the valley and then and there I had to thank God for letting me walk in his beauty and be grateful for beiong able to live in Colorado.
Even the trail markers were covered, however the snow made it a no-brainer to easily stay on the trail.
The mine that appears at the Democrate/Lincoln Saddle.
View looking up to the false summit on Democrat
A pic of me from the false summit with Democrat in the background
And here I am at the top of Democrat celebrating the 1st one of the day being done. Didn't think of it till encountering someone later that if I would've just taken a piss up there, it would've been a legal way to piss on the top of a democrat without having to worry about a lawsuit.
Word out to the great people on the trail, including that group carrying the watermelon to the top of Democrat. Only wish I would've met you guys on they way up so I could've shared in your summit as the way you guys prepared it, it looked good.
And here is what lay before me for the next conquest- the flat mound of Cameron(Center) followed by the rugged looking peaks of Lincoln(left)
For being a relative flat topped mountain- Cameron seemed to be the most challenging hiking of the trip, although not very difficult it just seemed like it was the mountain you just couldn't get to the top of soon enough.
Didn't stop long on top of Cameron as the wind had been howling ever since returning to the saddle of Democrat/Cameron. Quick self snapshot from the top of Cameron as everyone else p there was hurrying on over to Lincoln.
Quick descent to the saddle between Cameron/Lincoln left me with the below view
Really found the quick hike from the saddle to the top of Lincoln as the most rewarding and fun part of the trip, especially the summit of Lincoln.
Here are a couple pics of the different geo markers.
Looking back from Licnoln you can see where I had been already Cameron to the left and Democrat off to the right
Looking off you can see the not so intimidating pictures of Bross and how apparently all roads lead to Bross.
I don't know whether it was the fatigue, the coldness. the wind, or what it was but at this point I just put my head down and followed the crowd up to the top of Bross, somehow I missed the closed sign that I heard about.
After going back down I found where I missed the trail detour , the trip down from Bross was very tough going. In a way the snow helped soften the ground to have a little giveway in the scree to make but it was still a fun journey down.
I did enjoy the flowers and items encountered on the way down. Not sure what the below flower is but it reminded me of a mountain version of the dandelion.
One of the most rewarding things on the trip down bross was near the bottom of all the scree and rocks was the beautiful waterfall.
Thanks to all of the workers that were in the valley repairing the trail, I tried to tell you as I passed you but if I missed you "Thank you very much for taking the time to repair the trail for me and all of the other hikers out there"
Thanks Andy for putting this on my list of things to do this summer- looking forward to our next one and maybe I can keep up better next time.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Hey man. I camped Friday on Kite and headed up solo Saturday morning at 6:30. I thought the weather would ”burn off” as the day progressed but no such luck. THE WIND CHILL WAS RIDICULOUS! Needed a lot more gear to be comfortable but suffered through and met some cool people suffering with me! Well done. Did it in about four hours.
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