Kite Lake is a high-alpine lake sitting at roughly 12,000 feet of elevation in Park County, Colorado, surrounded by a dramatic box canyon of towering peaks. The lake serves as the primary trailhead for the famous DeCaLiBron loop, a single-day circuit that connects four fourteeners: Mount Democrat, Mount Cameron, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Bross. For hikers chasing Colorado's highest summits, Kite Lake is one of the most efficient starting points in the state, offering the rare opportunity to bag three or four 14,000-foot peaks in a single outing. Even visitors who skip the summits find the lake itself a breathtaking destination, with panoramic mountain views available right from the parking area.
The DeCaLiBron loop from Kite Lake covers approximately eight miles with around 3,600 feet of elevation gain. Most hikers start counterclockwise and recommend hitting the trail by 4 AM to catch sunrise from the ridgeline and avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Mount Democrat is the most popular single summit from this trailhead, with a well-maintained trail that the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative has improved. Mount Lincoln offers the best views but features an exposed, narrow ridge that may challenge hikers with a fear of heights. Mount Bross has the steepest and loosest descent, with dangerous scree and gravel on steep slopes. A signed waiver is required before hiking the loop, and visitors should fill it out while they still have cell service.
Kite Lake sits above treeline, which means there is no shade anywhere in the area. The alpine setting delivers stunning scenery but also exposes visitors to wind, rapidly changing weather, and intense sun. Altitude sickness is a real concern at this elevation, and reviewers recommend bringing supplemental oxygen if you are not acclimatized. The area operates on a pack-in, pack-out policy, so visitors must carry out all trash.
Parking at the Kite Lake trailhead costs eight dollars per day as of late 2023, with camping available for twenty dollars per night. Fee envelopes and permits are available at stations along the access road before reaching the trailhead. The parking lot is well-labeled and sizable but fills up fast in summer, often by 8 AM on weekends and even on weekdays. An overflow lot sits about a quarter mile below the trailhead for latecomers.
The dirt access road to Kite Lake is rough with large ruts and rocky sections, particularly in the final half mile. Four-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles handle it easily, but careful drivers in two-wheel-drive sedans have made it to the overflow lot. In winter, the road is gated and heavily snowed in, effectively closing seasonal access. Summer is the primary visiting season when the road is passable by most vehicles.
Facilities at the trailhead include vault toilets that are stocked and cleaned daily, picnic tables, and charcoal grills. Camping spots surround the lake, though options are limited and exposed to wind since everything sits above treeline. Many visitors sleep in their vehicles for better shelter. The nearby town of Alma, along with the Almart store, provides a last stop for snacks and supplies before the drive up. Kite Lake is also a worthwhile destination for dog walking, photography, and meditation, with reviewers describing profound stillness and solitude on quieter days.