Mounts Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, and Bross Trail Hiking Guide
ABSTRACT
Explore the exhilarating Mounts Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, and Bross Trail, known as The Decalibron, offering stunning views and challenging terrain. Get essential details on weather, difficulty level, route, equipment, and personal trainer insights. Discover tips for a rewarding experience on this iconic hike.
KEYWORDS
Mount Democrat
Mount Cameron
Mount Lincoln
Mount Bross
Decalibron trail
hiking guide
Colorado hiking
trail conditions
altitude hiking
hiking tips
outdoor adventure
mountain hiking
trail safety
You can travel to Mars within a couple of hours from my personal training studio in Denver.
Time of Year: Saturday, October 7th, 2023.
Weather: 30 degrees and sunny at 8:20 am and 59 degrees and sunny at 1:36 pm.
Cover: 100% exposed.
Time: 8:20 am - 1:36 pm (experienced hikers on 13ers/14ers: 4-5 hours; hikers with elevation experience and endurance: 5-7 hours).
Distance: 7 miles total.
Cost: $8 cash and required waiver (complete before: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/c2d3wpisftzvbznpjhsbnb/kiosk/).
Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes.
Difficulty: Hard level 2 for altitude (14286 feet), elevation gain (3182 feet), and length (7 miles). Technical class 2. The dry dirt and scree down the steep descent of Bross is tough and loose rock, and a few patches of wet snow make the steep descent of Democrat difficult, too. Bross is worse—moderate effort for someone with experience on 13ers and 14ers.
Route: The loop (counterclockwise).
Traffic: Light/Moderate.
Parking: One spot remained in the lot when I arrived, but there were plenty of spots along the road. 80% full at 1:36 pm. AWD is recommended for the last mile to the lot.
Equipment: Hiking boots, hiking poles, microspikes.
Terrain: While the dirt path with loose rock up Bross is steep, the larger rocks and level ground from Bross to Lincoln to Cameron offer steady footing (with some loose rock/dirt sections). The decent down Cameron offers big rocks for grip, making the grade more tolerable. The path up Democrat is a mix of scree, dirt, big rocks, boulders, and a few patches of wet snow.
Experience: A rewarding hike overall! A few notes. 1st: Since it isn't fully explained in the description...Much of the loop is considered private property, requiring you to stay on the designated trail (as one should, anyway). You can (and should) read this for the entire history: https://www.5280.com/recently-reopened-decalibron-loop-needs-attention/. 2nd: There's a debate over the direction you should take. To Bross or not to Bross, that is the question for the end. You can hike down it but will not find joy sliding down the steep grade of loose dirt and scree. Ascending is manageable and safer in the counterclockwise direction, and you quickly check off Bross. But.....you're saving some work for the very end, climbing up and down, Democrat. It's steep, but not Bross steep (and there's better footing). I wore my microspikes from the Democrat peak to the lot for extra footing. The walk in-between isn't challenging but still requires mindful stepping at times. 3rd: Expect incredible views of the entire loop of this Mars-like terrain (with no red). Of course, there is some diversity in distant ranges, too (especially on Lincoln and Democrat). 4th: You are fully exposed, and I highly recommend checking OpenSnow and NOAA for the temperature and wind forecasts. Last weekend, it recorded up to 60 mph. Luckily, the winds dropped to 15-20 mph at 28 degrees (inconsistent), with bitter 20-30 mph winds on the peaks (no headwind). I did need to completely cover myself until 11:00 am (the wind died down, and it warmed up under clear skies....winter is coming this week, though).
Personal Trainer Notes: Crazy enough, my personal training client and his wife hiked the same trail the next day. Undoubtedly, this trail is difficult. You'll face many physical challenges no matter the direction you travel on the loop. Compared to other 14ers, though, it is very approachable if you have a strong endurance baseline.
Personal training clients will definitely work hard on this Colorado trail.
Not pictured: A wicked wind nearly sweeping me off of this 14er.
I found a new friend on top of Mount Lincoln. The views from this 14er were outstanding!
The 360 views along the trail remind you of our size.
You’ll start to find a contrast in the landscape during the fall.
List of Hiking Trails in Colorado
To check out more hiking reviews with pictures, visit “List of Colorado Hikes.” You’ll find options across a spectrum of difficulty, including many trails in the foothills and front range.
My final climb of the Decalibron was Mount Democrat, a Colorado 14er.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MICHAEL MOODY, PERSONAL TRAINER
As an author, a personal trainer in Denver, and podcast host, Michael Moody has helped personal training clients achieve new fitness heights and incredible weight loss transformations since 2005. He also produces the wellness podcast "The Elements of Being" and has been featured on NBC, WGN Radio, and PBS.
Michael offers personal training to Denver residents who want to meet at the 2460 W 26th Ave studio….or in their homes throughout LoHi (80206), LoDo (80202), RiNo (80216), Washington Park (80209), Cherry Creek (80206, 80209, 80243, 80246, 80231), and Highlands (80202, 80211, 80212). Michael also offers experiences with a personal trainer in Jefferson Park (80211) and Sloan's Lake (80204, 80212).
If you’re looking for a personal trainer who can curate a sustainable (and adaptable) routine based on your needs and wants, Michael is the experienced practitioner you’ve been looking for. Try personal training for a month…your body will thank you!
