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Base Camp
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: August 6, 2003
- Miles Hiked: 7.0
- Elevation Gain: 3,600'
- Hiking Partner(s): Dan
Robbins
- Description:
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There are 54 peaks in Colorado over 14,000’.
There are 5 additional peaks over 14,000’ that are considered
“unofficial” 14ers because they don’t meet the longstanding
criteria for a 14er, but are named on USGS maps.
This is 1, 2, and 3 of 53 and 1 of 5.
I don’t know if I’ll ever climb them all, but I’m keeping
track just in case. (Note:
The number of official 14ers is hotly debated and has changed
over the years.)
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I happened to be on vacation at the same time as
Dan Robbins, so we decided to hook up and go hiking. This was my first hike in Colorado and my first time over
13,000’ and 14,000’. We
wanted to get the most bang for our buck, so we opted for the Decalibron,
a loop hike that starts from Kite Lake outside of Alma (CO) that hits
three official 14ers and 1 unofficial 14er.
Mount Cameron only rises 138’ above the saddle between it and
Mount Lincoln, thus being disqualified from official 14er designation.
We left Denver around 5:30 am and were at the trailhead in a
couple of hours.
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Generally speaking, you first hike to Mount
Democrat (14,148’), then backtrack a bit and cross over Mount Cameron
(14,238’) on your way to Mount Lincoln (14,286’).
After tagging Lincoln, you backtrack again just for a short
distance before hiking to Mount Bross (14,172’) and then descending
down to the lake.
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A noteworthy comment should be made about our
descent. After watching
several people traverse southwest across the slopes of Bross on a
questionable route, Dan suggested we drop down the first gully we
crossed as recommended by his research.
We did, and made it back to the trailhead quicker than many
people who had begun hiking down long before us.
This statement is not to brag, it is simply made to inform future
hikers to take this route because it is a faster, and likely safer,
descent regardless of your abilities.
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Anyway, this was an enjoyable hike with some
beautiful views. In spite
of the number of people and the vehicles that were driving to the top of
Bross, it was still worth it. Although
Dan complained about an occasional headache and a few spells of
lightheadedness, the altitude didn’t appear to affect me much.
I’d definitely like to return to hike to some more Colorado
peaks.
- Time Statistics
- Trailhead - Mount Democrat 1:50
- Mount Democrat Summit Time 0:20
- Mount Democrat - Cameron Peak - Lincoln Peak 1:50
- Lincoln Peak Summit Time 0:20
- Lincoln Peak - Mount Bross 0:50
- Mount Bross Summit Time 0:10
- Mount Bross - Trailhead 0:40
- Total Trail Time 6:00
Although
I will claim a legal ascent of all four peaks given I cumulatively
gained 3,000' on this traverse hike, but I will consider this Decalibron
trip the official ascent of Bross under my 3,000' rule.
- Maps:
- Click here to view a 2D map of
the area where this hike is located.
- Photographs:
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