I hiked up Mount Democrat in August 2016. (Wanted to do the Decalibron, but I got a late start.) The road is open all the way to the trail head and the Kite Lake campground. You'll need a vehicle with high clearance (not necessarily 4WD) to get all the way to the trail head. Sedans and other low clearance vehicles were parking about two miles down below a deteriorated section of road. There's a self-pay box at the trail head. $3 for day use; $12 for overnight camping. Trail to Democrat was well-marked and in good shape. Trail to Lincoln appeared to be in similar condition. Next time!
per sign at Lake Kite Trailhead - landowners only agreed to opening access under condition that climbers stay on trail from Lake Kite (via Mt Cameron) - veering off trail is considered trespassing of private property
"Landowners who own the tops of Colorado’s Mount Lincoln, Mount Democrat and Mount Bross on Thursday closed access to the trio of Mosquito Range fourteeners.
The closure triggered an upswell of lamentations from Colorado’s peak-bagging community. But the closure is expected to last only this month. "
Colin - Sep 2, 2016 5:55 pm - Hasn't voted
Summer 2016I hiked up Mount Democrat in August 2016. (Wanted to do the Decalibron, but I got a late start.) The road is open all the way to the trail head and the Kite Lake campground. You'll need a vehicle with high clearance (not necessarily 4WD) to get all the way to the trail head. Sedans and other low clearance vehicles were parking about two miles down below a deteriorated section of road. There's a self-pay box at the trail head. $3 for day use; $12 for overnight camping. Trail to Democrat was well-marked and in good shape. Trail to Lincoln appeared to be in similar condition. Next time!
Niederbayer - Jan 2, 2020 8:59 am - Hasn't voted
you must stay on trail from Lake Kiteper sign at Lake Kite Trailhead - landowners only agreed to opening access under condition that climbers stay on trail from Lake Kite (via Mt Cameron) - veering off trail is considered trespassing of private property
Candace66 - May 2, 2021 7:54 pm - Hasn't voted
Decalibron temporarily (?) closed as of May 1, 2021https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/30/colorado-fourteeners-14ers-closure-lincoln-democrat-bross/
"Landowners who own the tops of Colorado’s Mount Lincoln, Mount Democrat and Mount Bross on Thursday closed access to the trio of Mosquito Range fourteeners.
The closure triggered an upswell of lamentations from Colorado’s peak-bagging community. But the closure is expected to last only this month. "