Hiking news: 14ers Lincoln, Democrat reopen

June 2, 8:12 PMDenver Hiking ExaminerDeb Stanley

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Denver Hiking Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

 

This summer hikers can legally climb Mounts Lincoln and Democrat again. Mounts Lincoln, Democrat and Bross were closed by private land owners in 2005 over liability concerns about open mine shafts and vandalism. 

The Kite Lake trail opened June 1 to Mounts Lincoln and Democrat. The trail to the summit of Mount Bross remains closed because the land owners in that area were not able to reach a consensus, according to Greg Seabloom, Field Programs Manager, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative.

The Kite Lake Trail opening is being called conditional for summer 2009. Hikers must stay on the trail and stay away from mining structures or the trail could be closed again.

Several groups worked together to get the Kite Lake trail reopened including the Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative (MRHI), Colorado Mountain Club, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, private land owners, the Town of Alma and the U.S. Forest Service-South Park District.

The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative needs peak steward’s to talk to hikers on the trails this summer. Training is June 13th and 14th in Alma, CO and on Mts. Lincoln, Democrat, and Bross. The group’s Web site says “This two day training will focus on alpine ecology, mountain safety, environmental education techniques including using the “Authority of the Resource”, Forest Service regulations, Leave No Trace principles and practices, and the general tenants of environmental stewardship. For more information on the peak steward program call CFI at 303-278-7650 or email outreach@14ers.org.

See photos: of Mount Lincoln and Mount Democrat on 14ers.com.