Mt. Bross

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 10/17/2026, By: alfalfacave
Info: The first 3/4 mile of descent off Bross was probably the sketchiest part of the entire Decalibron; definitely should be cautious but nothing impassable. Most snow is about ankle-depth or less, with the western face of Bross getting to knee-depth in some spots closer to the bottom of the valley. Strongly recommend microspikes but there were folks getting it done without them. Trailhead was relatively accessible, though a 2WD may have some trouble near the very end of the road/parking lot. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 10/13/2026, By: Jknorr
Info: Snow was fine, but we went the day before a big storm.
Go clockwise if you enjoy quick descents and being agile; if not, go counter-clockwise for sure. 

Route: Southern side
Posted On: 9/30/2026, By: climbnowworklater
Info: I'm just stoked for winter.
This is Bross today from my house. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 9/26/2026, By: BirkinS
Info: Decent amount of snow above ~12,500ft. Weather forecast said clear skies all day and that's exactly what I got. All 14ers in the decalibron loop have snow on them right now. I did not need micro spikes and I only saw 2 people with them on. Absolutely do not need crampons. Bross summit is yours, do it. Did the route counter-clockwise and I definitely think that's the move. Started at ~7am and there was extreme wind going up Bross & temps around 20 degrees F. Very cold, but once the sun came out it was a perfect day. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 9/24/2026, By: Ted_Sward
Info: This past Sunday my son and friends hiked Bross, Lincoln, Cameron, and Democrat. Since I hiked it few years ago and hated the gravelly rubber legged descent down Bross, I recommended they go counter clockwise. They emphatically agreed that was a great decision. So here is a link to a CalTopo map I created - BroLiCaDem. Credit to Bill Middlebrook and this site for the original *.GPX file which I reversed and added a few markers to.

https://caltopo.com/m/34N0CPA

Other notes: when they hit the trail about 5:30, there was still plenty of parking at Kite Lake. One of the bathrooms was super nasty (who does that?) and out of TP. They started with headlamps up Bross, and were completely in shade until the saddle (hiking East). Once they crested it was much cooler than they thought due to 30 mph plus winds. They were prepared with gloves and handwarmers and layers and used them. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 5/3/2026, By: Another Steve
Info: Trail from Kite Lake to Bross has a lot of thin snow cover, with slushy and icy spots (especially lower down). The mining roads near the top of Bross have a lot of windblown snow from a recent storm. Did not summit Bross, but saw the slopes near the summit have a good bit of snow cover, but not enough to cover the exposed rocks.

Kite lake road is closed near the top for construction. For more info on that, the lower trails, and general snow conditions see the Mt. Democrat update I posted. 

Route: Dolly Varden Gully
Posted On: 4/19/2026, By: Omatt89
Info: Took Rd 787 toward mineral park trail head. Or bristlecone TH, which is free compared to kite lake. The roads in each direction keep going up the mountain. I parked just above Bristlecone hip camp.

Hiked maybe 8/900 feet before snow started at about 11,600 or so ,It was firm In Spots and powdery in others, especially the further up. Snowshoes were helpful. Small choke about halfway is very manageable. Even when that melts, there still will be a lot left to ski. The snowfield stops short of the summit prolly about 13700ish, that's where I stashed my board and snowshoes and got on the roads and went around the east side of Bross, bypassing the summit and heading to Cameron.

Joined the Bross Cameron saddle and tagged Cameron. Windy down low and pretty windy up top at times. Sunny, and cold. On the way down, the snow never corned up.

I finished the Decalibron today but each mountain separate, so Im positive no one has ever done that. I'm the first for sure!

Skied democrat July 7th from the summit to kite lake, 2019,
Did Lincoln from the amphitheatre 3rd class route ,
skied Bross S. Gulley to tag Bross
And Cameron via Dolley varden gulley. Eat your heart out 14ers :) 

Route: SW Gully of S.Bross
Posted On: 4/12/2026, By: jacolc
Info: . After next snow storm you still have the opportunity to last snow climb this season. Park at gate. Hike bone dry road to just above switch back (~11840'= at creek cross). Leave the road and hike ribbon of snow all the way to 13100' whare the trail cross the gully. Remove your spikes if you used it. After both Brosses, start hiking down on tundra initially west on SW shoulder of S.Bross. Soon enter SE Gully and endless fields of scree. At 13000 again hike down or glissade on snow almost all the way to 4x4 road at 12000. After few switchback leave the road to bypass the only private corner with some container and bulldozer. After 200feet use the road again and enter the main Kite Lake road just above the gate. All snow was bulletproof, even south aspect at early afternoon.
GPX at library 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 4/5/2026, By: colemfujis
Info: Regular route has some snow and ice on it, gully is filled in and compact enough to use in place of the standard route. Traction definitely recommended. 

Route: West Slopes
Posted On: 2/20/2026, By: Eagle Eye
Info: Intended to reach all 4 in a CCW Decalibron loop. Pretty content reaching only Mt Bross today, having fought hard with wind & freezing rain most of the trip. I had micro spikes on all day, mostly finding powdery snow. Below the powder there seemed to MOSTLY be a hard surface. Some post holing was necessary, but mostly near the TH and flat lake areas. I didn’t see anyone else all day but someone had parked by me & walked up the road during the day. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 2/7/2026, By: brian4328937
Info: Hiked the loop counterclockwise so started with going up Bross. Such little snow on the peak rn. After the first 1/4 mile from the trailhead it's 75% dirt 25% snow. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 1/12/2026, By: jacolc
Info: Parked at gate but was passible to drive to Lake (1 SUV did ). Finally this caused to my way down from South Bross via Red Amphitheater directly to my car. Do not try this in opposite direction. At least until sea of scree will be covered with snow.
I used my micro spike only at the lower part of descent. However they will be useful, especially on Lincoln, after more sunny days.
Do not make my mistake and bring snowshoe in current condition.
Whole loop take me 7.5h 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 7/25/2025, By: Ariella6
Info: a little bit wet and more slidey but still fine to go up. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 7/4/2025, By: BenC
Info: Trailhead states that Mt. Bross is closed due to owners not allowing passage. Signs along trail provide a bypass route around the summit. The rest of the loop (Democrat, Cameron, and Lincoln) is open. 

Route: Decalibron
Posted On: 6/20/2025, By: Hiker_Nick
Info: Trail completely clear but very loose scree on our way down to the trailhead. We slipped a few times and probably could have used poles for the descent for added stability.