Mount Democrat

This route begins and ends at the Kite Lake Trailhead after reaching the summit of Mount Democrat. From the trailhead, cross the outlet stream and head northwest on the well-defined trail in the middle, passing the Kite Lake Campground access on the left, and the Kite Lake Overlook Trail on the right. At 0.6 miles, angle right as the trail steepens and begins ascending a series of rocky switchbacks up the headwall. Continue through the boulder fields to reach the 13,400' Democrat-Cameron Saddle at 1.4 miles. Turn left at the saddle and then keep left at the junction at 1.5 miles. Continue up the switchbacks until reaching the plateau at 1.8 miles. Crux: The sustained climb from the Democrat-Cameron Saddle at 13,400' to the summit at 14,148' is the hardest stretch — steep, loose rock on a well-defined but relentless ridge trail gaining nearly 750 vertical feet with no reprieve. Walk across the plateau to the base of the summit block, then climb the final 200 vertical feet on switchbacks to reach the 14,148-foot summit. Retrace your steps back to Kite Lake.