Mt. Democrat Trip Report 08/21/2016

Peak(s):	Mt. Democrat - 14,154 feet Mt. Cameron - 14,248 feet
Date Posted:	08/21/2016
Date Climbed:	08/17/2016
Author:	jmjr2k

The DeCa Of The DeCaLiBron
Our climbing team decided we would attempt some of the Class 1/2 mountains of Colorado this year. There are a number of them to choose from depending upon your appetite for an easy hike and climb, or if you have some additional "special climbers" along with you. Even though my political persuasion tends to lean more on the republican side of the "house", I felt that Mount Democrat still deserved to be a summit destination for me and our group for this morning in August. This year was different. We also had two of our best friends along with us as well. Java and Jasmine are Flat-Coat Retrievers who have an undying desire to make sure you include them in anything you are doing. That includes climbing a 14'er. These are low-lander city dogs. They take walks in the neighborhood & the dog park, enjoy sitting beside you or at your feet, and just generally love to have your attention. My daughter and son-in-law had purchased dog packs for each of them along with their climbing booties as you can see so that they could be prepared for the journey. It helped to take them out ahead of time with the gear on to get them used to the experience. It's funny watching these canine members of the family adjust to the booties; sort of looks like they're in a marching band trying to figure out how to rid themselves of the annoyance. But, after a while, they became "one" with their new shoes, and found that they could actually climb and scale the talus and scree pretty well; even better than their human owners! We left Breckenridge for Alma around 6:15 a.m. and arrived at the Kite Lake TH around 6:45 a.m. to begin our ascent of Democrat and the entire DeCaLiBron loop. We snapped a few pictures at the trail signs and took off passing over the streams and through some of the vegetation along the lower trail around Kite Lake. The temperature was in the mid-40's, so it was cool and we set out with several layers knowing that we'd be soon peeling them off, and putting them back on, as we were making our way up towards the Democrat-Cameron saddle. We continued up to the Summit of Mount Democrat taking a short break at the Democrat-Cameron Saddle. This is a pretty straightforward hike/climb to the top with a well defined trail thanks to the CFI work on the mountain. After spending a little time on Mount Democrat snapping our traditional summit photos, we decided to descend back to the saddle to fuel up with some protein bars before our trek up to Mount Cameron. Something that's not mentioned too often is where to "relieve" yourself on this sort of journey. Since you start out above tree-line, your options for "ducking-in" to an out-of-the-way spot are limited. So, be sure to use the rest room at the trail head. if not, you can find some cover along the way on the initial ascent amongst the taller vegetation. Your other option is at the Democrat-Cameron saddle. There, you can walk down the opposite side of the saddle and over to the right around the corner, where many have done so in the past as you will see. After that, you will be pretty much "exposed" the entire route up to the summit of Mount Cameron! The ascent to Mount Cameron is non-eventful as you climb over a mix of talus and some scree as the trail levels-off giving you an easy summit at the top. We ran into quite a few folks there, took a few pictures, and ate some lunch. By this time, the clouds were gathering in the west, and we were concerned about lightning. Also, the dogs were pretty tired, and I didn't want to take a chance of any injury to them if we attempted to go further to Mount Lincoln & Mount Bross. So, between our canine friends and considering the weather, we decided to call it a day and head back to the Democrat-Cameron saddle while looking back at Mount Lincoln & Mount Bross knowing we would come back another time to visit them in the future. We enjoyed the trip down to the car and arrived around 1:30 p.m. thinking about our two 14'ers for the day; especially, being able to have our pets on the peaks with us as well. As we made our way back over the talus and along the trail to the car, we watched Java and Jasmine go on-point several times seeing a marmot and a few ground squirrels nestled in the rocks. After climbing these mountains for a number of years, you come to appreciate the beauty of these majestic peaks. And, even though they are not untouched, somehow you still can imagine that you are the first one to enjoy all they have to offer. Scottish-American author, John Muir, a.k.a. "John Of The Mountains" said it so well in the late 1800's- "The Mountains Are Calling, And I Must Go"... Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

The DeCa Of The DeCaLiBron

Our climbing team decided we would attempt some of the Class 1/2 mountains of Colorado this year. There are a number of them to choose from depending upon your appetite for an easy hike and climb, or if you have some additional "special climbers" along with you. Even though my political persuasion tends to lean more on the republican side of the "house", I felt that Mount Democrat still deserved to be a summit destination for me and our group for this morning in August.

This year was different. We also had two of our best friends along with us as well. Java and Jasmine are Flat-Coat Retrievers who have an undying desire to make sure you include them in anything you are doing. That includes climbing a 14'er. These are low-lander city dogs. They take walks in the neighborhood & the dog park, enjoy sitting beside you or at your feet, and just generally love to have your attention. My daughter and son-in-law had purchased dog packs for each of them along with their climbing booties as you can see so that they could be prepared for the journey. It helped to take them out ahead of time with the gear on to get them used to the experience. It's funny watching these canine members of the family adjust to the booties; sort of looks like they're in a marching band trying to figure out how to rid themselves of the annoyance. But, after a while, they became "one" with their new shoes, and found that they could actually climb and scale the talus and scree pretty well; even better than their human owners!

We left Breckenridge for Alma around 6:15 a.m. and arrived at the Kite Lake TH around 6:45 a.m. to begin our ascent of Democrat and the entire DeCaLiBron loop. We snapped a few pictures at the trail signs and took off passing over the streams and through some of the vegetation along the lower trail around Kite Lake. The temperature was in the mid-40's, so it was cool and we set out with several layers knowing that we'd be soon peeling them off, and putting them back on, as we were making our way up towards the Democrat-Cameron saddle.

We continued up to the Summit of Mount Democrat taking a short break at the Democrat-Cameron Saddle. This is a pretty straightforward hike/climb to the top with a well defined trail thanks to the CFI work on the mountain. After spending a little time on Mount Democrat snapping our traditional summit photos, we decided to descend back to the saddle to fuel up with some protein bars before our trek up to Mount Cameron.

Something that's not mentioned too often is where to "relieve" yourself on this sort of journey. Since you start out above tree-line, your options for "ducking-in" to an out-of-the-way spot are limited. So, be sure to use the rest room at the trail head. if not, you can find some cover along the way on the initial ascent amongst the taller vegetation. Your other option is at the Democrat-Cameron saddle. There, you can walk down the opposite side of the saddle and over to the right around the corner, where many have done so in the past as you will see. After that, you will be pretty much "exposed" the entire route up to the summit of Mount Cameron!

The ascent to Mount Cameron is non-eventful as you climb over a mix of talus and some scree as the trail levels-off giving you an easy summit at the top. We ran into quite a few folks there, took a few pictures, and ate some lunch. By this time, the clouds were gathering in the west, and we were concerned about lightning. Also, the dogs were pretty tired, and I didn't want to take a chance of any injury to them if we attempted to go further to Mount Lincoln & Mount Bross. So, between our canine friends and considering the weather, we decided to call it a day and head back to the Democrat-Cameron saddle while looking back at Mount Lincoln & Mount Bross knowing we would come back another time to visit them in the future.

We enjoyed the trip down to the car and arrived around 1:30 p.m. thinking about our two 14'ers for the day; especially, being able to have our pets on the peaks with us as well. As we made our way back over the talus and along the trail to the car, we watched Java and Jasmine go on-point several times seeing a marmot and a few ground squirrels nestled in the rocks.

After climbing these mountains for a number of years, you come to appreciate the beauty of these majestic peaks. And, even though they are not untouched, somehow you still can imagine that you are the first one to enjoy all they have to offer. Scottish-American author, John Muir, a.k.a. "John Of The Mountains" said it so well in the late 1800's- "The Mountains Are Calling, And I Must Go"...

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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