DE-CA-LI-BRON Loop
This is a nice way to hit four peaks in a day! Only 8.4 miles and 3,300 feet of elevation gain make this an easy day and doable in one afternoon. Well, usually doable in one afternoon but I had to wait out some nasty thunder and lightning and HAIL in an old mine shaft entryway. I had already tackled most of the elevation so I was going to be stubborn and wait out the weather. The skies remained cloudy but the dangerous bits passed and I was able to continue my 14er-4-Pack.
Mount Democrat was the first peak which had some great views to the West of the nearby active mining operations of the Climax Mine. When I got back to the saddle, the lightning returned and I was forced to hide in my mineshaft again. Then it was off to Mount Cameron which is right along the ridge that connects these peaks. Mount Lincoln was next and I waited next to a dilapidated shack for more thunderous clouds to pass. Next, and final, was Mount Bronson. And, as is tradition, I barely made it back to my car in the waning daylight. Waiting out the weather before each peak also gave me time for my summit beers to settle in my tummy so overall it was a win-win.
Mount Sherman
Yet another easy 14er to conquer, 5.5 miles and 2,000 feet of vert one afternoon. It was a fairly quick and uneventful hike.
However, on my way back down from the summit, I noticed some mining ruins so I had to go check those out!
I could also see Quandary Peak, which was the next 14er on my list. The normal route is a gentle sloping trail along the East ridge... But I took the jagged and super sketchy West ridge. Next post coming up:
