Ref: 14ers.com
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At the trailhead.
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THE
CLIMB -East slopes class
2
Hike:
RT 7.0 (includes Mounts Cameron, Lincoln and Bross); 2.25 up. After
visiting Mount Evans, I drove to Alma to continue with my
planned ascents before meeting my friend in Leadville on the weekend. I
drove through Breckenridge and reminisced about my first 14er last
april accompanied by a young man from Florida that I met on the 14ers
website.
After stopping at the quaint little coffee shop in Alma, I drove to
Kite Lake, the trailhead for the Decalibron 4-peak circuit. The access
road is rough in places, I was glad to have the truck. Just like
yesterday late afternoon, a thick fog obstructed the mountains and it
was raining. I wasn't worried as I was aware that it was a typical
pattern for the Colorado Rocky Mountains; during the night, the sky
would clear and the stars would come out. I had supper, fixed my
sleeping arrangement and tried falling asleep early; I needed some
serious sleep after the last couple of days... This was my second night
sleeping at high altitude, Kite Lake is located at 3,658 meters. I
noticed my heart rate was now normal and I had no headache, I was
quite pleased about that; I fell asleep almost instantly. The following
morning I awoke at 3:30 AM and left the truck by 4:00, once again I
didn't want to get caught by afternoon thunderstorms and I was
hoping to catch the sunrise from atop the mountain. Following the trail
by headlamp was easy until I got higher up on Democrat's eastern talus
slopes;
there, I had to focus to make sure I stayed on the rocky trail which
provided
a much better way up than guessing the direction in the dark. I managed
to follow the trail and reach the upper slopes as the dim light of
dawn began to illuminate the mountains. I continued to the top with
nobody else in sight. I paused on the summit briefly to eat and take
some
pictures; the horizon was just starting to display dawn's colourful
orange hues. I headed down with
my camera close by, I knew this sunrise would be one to remember. Just
before dipping down on the talus slopes, I took a good break to capture
and enjoy the prize of the day: the colours of dawn and the sunrise
over Mounts Cameron and Bross. I took so many pictures that my hands
almost
froze; although it was still summer, the temperature was below
freezing this early in the morning even with almost no wind. Once the
sun had risen, I resumed my descent to the Democrat-Cameron Col. As I
neared the col, I noticed several people on their way up from Kite Lake
but I had such
a head start that I only crossed a couple of guys that were also
attempting the 4-peak circuit. I carried on to my next objective, Mount
Cameron, feeling very pleased with this hike thus far.
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Rain
and low cloud over Kite Lake when I arrive in the afternoon.
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Clouds
lift to reveal a dusting of fresh snow on Mount Cameron. |
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After
ascending in the dark, I stand on Mount Democrat with the north-western
view towards Freemont Pass.
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Mount
Cameron (left) with Mount Lincoln just peeking over and broad Mount
Bross on the right.
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Official
sign at the top and a spade in case you feel like digging for ore.
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View
south. |
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Beautiful
orange sky over Mount Cameron as I head down. |
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The
most intense colours and best show of the day is at dawn.
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Last
glimpse towards Mount Democrat.
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Waiting
for the sun to rise between Mounts Cameron and Bross.
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Southern
view under a fiery sky.
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My
favorite moment of the day was witnessing this stunning sunrise.
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My
next objective, Mount Cameron.
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Continue
on to Mount Cameron
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Back
to home page |
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