DeCaLiBron Loop
14,154 to 14,293 feet
Four 14,000-foot summits in one loop from a single trailhead
Why DeCaLiBron Loop?
The DeCaLiBron is one of the most famous hikes in Colorado. The name comes from the first letters of Mount Democrat (14,154 feet), Mount Cameron (14,248 feet), Mount Lincoln (14,293 feet), and Mount Bross (14,178 feet). From the Kite Lake Trailhead at 12,000 feet, the loop covers 7.5 miles with 3,500 feet of gain, and 14ers.com rates it Class 2. Three of the four are official ranked 14ers. Cameron is an unranked point because it rises less than 300 feet above its saddle with Lincoln. The loop also comes with a private land story that you need to understand before you go. The summit of Mount Bross has been officially closed since 2007, and the route uses a bypass trail just below it. The summits of Lincoln and Cameron are also on private land, and the landowner has asked hikers to sign a liability waiver.
Getting to the Trailhead
Kite Lake Trailhead
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 12,000 feet
- From Denver:
- About 100 miles (About 2.5 hours)
Directions
From Denver, take US 285 South to Fairplay, then turn north on Colorado 9 and drive to Alma. In the middle of Alma, turn west onto County Road 8 at the small Kite Lake sign across from the Caniglia Real Estate building. Drive through a residential area and continue about 6 miles to Kite Lake. You can also reach Alma from Interstate 70 by taking Colorado 9 south through Breckenridge and over Hoosier Pass.
Road Access
County Road 8 is a dirt road with washboard sections. 14ers.com rates it as passable for a two-wheel-drive vehicle with good clearance when the road is dry. The Forest Service regraded the final 1.15 miles in 2025 and 2026, and hikers in August and September 2026 reported that passenger cars could reach the new lot. The road closed for construction in fall 2025 and again in June and July 2026, so check for closures before you go. In winter, the road is closed at the Paris Mill site, which is about 3 miles below Kite Lake.
Parking Information
- A new, larger parking lot opened at Kite Lake in August 2026 after the Forest Service rebuilt the upper road. There are vault toilets at the trailhead and a small Forest Service campground with five sites. There is no drinking water and no trash service, so bring everything you need and pack out your trash. When the lot is full, hikers park along the road below the trailhead.
- Capacity: Hiker reports from 2026 describe room for roughly 100 vehicles in the new lot, plus overflow parking along the road
- There is an $8 day-use fee in summer. In 2026, hikers paid at a signed fee station on the road below the trailhead. Bring cash in case the envelopes or the machine are unavailable. Camping at Kite Lake has a separate nightly fee.
Pro Tip: On summer weekends, the lot has been full by about 4:30 a.m. Arrive before 4:30 a.m. or camp nearby the night before. Weekdays after Labor Day are much quieter.
The Route
DeCaLiBron Combination Route
Class 2
Most hikers go clockwise. You will climb Democrat first, return to the Democrat-Cameron saddle, climb over Cameron to Lincoln, and then follow the ridge south toward Bross. The trail passes just below the closed Bross summit and then descends Bross's west ridge and a gully back to Kite Lake. From Lincoln's summit, you are about 1.5 miles from the Bross bypass and about 3 miles from the trailhead.
From the parking area, follow the blocked road past the lake and climb out of the basin. You will pass a collapsed mine shack in the Kentucky Belle Mine area and climb a rugged slope to the base of Democrat's east slope. Near 12,800 feet, the trail swings south for a short stretch and then heads north to the saddle between Democrat and Cameron.
At the saddle, turn left and follow the trail west up the ridge. After about 200 feet of gain, the trail traverses southwest across the slope. It then climbs steeper, looser terrain past old prospect holes to the summit ridge near 13,900 feet. Walk to the final pitch and follow the easy trail to the top of Democrat. This is your first summit of the day.
Descend from Democrat back to the saddle. This is a natural decision point. If you are tired or the sky looks threatening, head down to Kite Lake from here. If you feel good, hike northeast along the right side of Cameron's west ridge and regain the crest near 13,500 feet. Near 14,000 feet, the grade eases and you can see Cameron's broad summit. Walk over the top of Cameron, then descend northeast to the Cameron-Lincoln saddle. Follow the trail past a small bump and climb the final pitch to Lincoln.
Lincoln is the highest point of the Mosquito Range and the high point of your day. You have now stood on three points above 14,000 feet. Take a short break, eat something, and check the sky before you continue. From here, you are about 3 miles from the trailhead whether you continue over Bross or go back over Cameron.
Hike back southwest to the Cameron-Lincoln saddle. From the north end of Cameron, turn south and follow a solid trail toward Bross. Reach the Cameron-Bross saddle, continue southeast to a trail junction, turn right, and stay left at the road junction just beyond it. Continue south below the summit until you reach a broad, shallow gully on your right. The true summit of Bross is on private land and has been officially closed since 2007. 14ers.com treats this spot on the trail as an acceptable place to count Bross. Do not walk up to the true summit.
Follow the trail west and start down the gravel-covered west ridge of Bross. This is the trickiest part of the loop for beginners. As the ridge narrows, do not drop left too early. Many hikers leave the trail too soon and end up on steep, loose scree. Stay on the ridge trail down to about 13,350 feet, where the trail drops left near some blackened rocks into a large gully. Follow the trail along the south side of the gully to the basin and walk back to Kite Lake.
Descent
Descend the west ridge of Mount Bross and the gully below it back to Kite Lake. Stay on the ridge trail until about 13,350 feet before dropping left, because leaving the ridge early puts you on steep, loose scree. If the weather turns before you reach Lincoln, the fastest way down is to return to the Democrat-Cameron saddle and follow the east slope trail back to the lake.
What's Special About DeCaLiBron Loop?
Several Summits, One Trailhead
You can reach three official 14ers and one unranked 14,000-foot point without ever moving your car.
High Start
Kite Lake sits at 12,000 feet, so the loop needs only 3,500 feet of gain for all four summits.
Easy Exit Point
The Democrat-Cameron saddle is a natural bailout. If you only feel like one or two summits, you can head down from there.
Clear, Busy Trail
14ers.com rates route finding as low. On a summer weekend, you will rarely be alone on the ridge.
When to Go
Best Time of Year
July through early September
These months offer the safest conditions for beginners with minimal snow coverage and the most predictable weather patterns. Mid-July to mid-August is peak season with the best trail conditions.
Caution: Attempting this peak in June or late September significantly increases difficulty due to snow conditions. Winter attempts require mountaineering skills.
Time of Day
The loop keeps you above 13,400 feet for hours, and the ridge between Lincoln and Bross has no quick escape. Starting early gets you a parking spot and gives you time to finish the ridge before afternoon storms.
Sunrise Bonus: With an early start, you may catch sunrise from the Democrat-Cameron saddle or from Democrat's summit, with the whole loop glowing in front of you.
Weather Considerations
Colorado mountain weather is unpredictable. The DeCaLiBron keeps you on exposed ridges for most of the day, and lightning is the biggest danger. Check the sky at the Democrat-Cameron saddle and again on Lincoln. If storms are building before Cameron, go down from the saddle. Plan to be off Bross and heading down the west ridge by noon.
Pro Tips
Understand the Access Rules
The summit of Mount Bross is closed, and the Forest Service says access to it remains restricted. The summits of Lincoln and Cameron are on private land, and the landowner has required a liability waiver that you sign through a QR code posted along Kite Lake Road and at the trailhead. Access has changed more than once since 2023, so check 14ers.com and the Kite Lake signs before every trip.
Go Clockwise
Most hikers climb Democrat first and finish with Bross. That puts the steep, loose Democrat slope on the way up, and it lets you bail out at the saddle if the day is not going well.
Bring Extra Food and Water
There is no water on the ridges. Pack at least as much food and water as you would for a longer single peak, and eat something on every summit.
Take the Bross Descent Slowly
The gravel on the west ridge of Bross rolls like ball bearings. Trekking poles, short steps, and patience will save your knees and keep you on your feet.
Related Peaks
Mount Democrat
First summit on this loop
Mount Democrat at 14,154 feet is a 4-mile Class 2 hike on its own. It is a good option if you want a shorter day at Kite Lake.
Learn MoreMount Lincoln
High point of this loop
Mount Lincoln at 14,293 feet is the highest peak in the Mosquito Range. You can climb it over Mount Cameron as a 6-mile out-and-back hike.
Learn MoreGrays and Torreys Combo
Another popular multi-summit day
The Grays and Torreys combo links two Class 1 14ers in 8.25 miles. It is a great multi-summit day before you try the DeCaLiBron.
Learn MoreBelford and Oxford Combo
Another two-summit challenge
Mount Belford and Mount Oxford make a longer two-summit day in the Sawatch Range for hikers who want a bigger step up.
Learn MoreAdditional Resources
AllTrails: The DeCaLiBron
See the trail map, photos, and recent reviews from other hikers.
14ers.com: Decalibron Combination Route
Read the detailed route description, the current Bross access note, and trip reports.
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Check winter conditions and avalanche forecasts if you plan an off-season attempt.
Mountain Weather Forecast
Check the hour-by-hour summit forecast for Mount Lincoln, the high point of the loop.
Ready to Summit DeCaLiBron Loop?
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