Mount Democrat (Fourteener)

***Please stay on Forest Service land and respect private property. A closure is in effect by private landowners, which includes the peaks of Mt. Democrat, Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Bross.***

The two-mile trek to the summit of Mount Democrat (14,148 feet) begins at Kite Lake, fourteen miles northwest of Fairplay via the town of Alma and a rugged 4-wheel drive road. The trail is on private property, so please respect their property.

The trail begins just to the right (north) of Kite Lake. As you pass the lake, you will see a collapsed log cabin and silver mining ruins directly in front of you. From the ruins, you begin a series of clearly marked switchbacks that begin a steep incline (1,000 feet per mile). Eventually, these take you to the ridge of the saddle between Mounts Democrat and Cameron, where you have another 1/2 mile to the summit. Views of Mounts Cameron, Bross and Lincoln (all fourteeners) reward climbers.

**UPDATE** To access the summits of Mount Lincoln and Mount Cameron, you are required to sign the waiver at the trailhead via QR code.  The summit to Mount Bross remains closed to the public.