KITE LAKE! (Surrounded by Fourteeners near Alma, CO)
June 19, 2004

Kite Lake, CO Kite Lake is a high altitude lake (above timberline) at the base of three Colorado "14ers." From the town of Alma, follow signs to Kite Lake into the canyon with old mining structures and Buckskin Creek flowing through. Kite Lake serves as a picnic area, campground and launching point for hikers seeking to summit Mt. Democrat, Mt. Lincoln and/or Mt. Bross. Adjacent are two photos of Kite Lake. Can you tell why it is called Kite Lake? :) TOP PHOTO: Near the beginning of my hike to Mt. Democrat, I looked back to capture the view of Kite Lake. BOTTOM PHOTO: Standing near the summit of Cameron Point ("Mt. Cameron"), the view of Kite Lake. Cameron Point is not recognized as an official 14er because the saddle between itself and Mt. Lincoln is not low enough to consider it its own mountain. (Photos taken July 11, 2004)

On June 19, 2004, I captured three photos of Kite Lake as I stood near it. There was still plenty of snow up there, but at least much of the lake had thawed out. This is a great place for picnicing, photography or even flying a kite! ;)

My Journey To Kite Lake - June 19, 2004	How to get there: In the small town of Alma (coincidentally, the highest elevation town in America), you'll see the "Kite Lake" sign on the main road. Alma is between Breckenridge and Fairplay in Park County, south of Hoosier Pass.
	You'll see some old mining structures along the way.
	Alright, this could be the most scenic pictorial I've ever done. In fact, many of the zoom-in photos were reduced much less so hopefully you can really grasp the beauty of them all. Mount Democrat (alt. 14,148 feet) stands proud in the backdrop.
	The Paris Mine will be on your right. It's sad to see a mountain decimated by mining, but I must say, the bright orange and red colors were striking.
	Just look at this view! Oh, and as you'll see, the road became really bumpy at this point, and so I parked my car and walked the remaining 1/2 mile.
	A couple more shots from the same spot: Buckskin Creek and a zoom-in of Mount Democrat. Don't be deceived by the photo; A person standing on the peak would likely appear as small as an ant, if at all.
	Loveland Mountain (alt. 13,691 feet) stands to the south of this natural "cul de sac".
	Ooooooooh! What lovely flowers! :) My other flower pictorials: Garden in Manitou Springs, CO Flowers in May Flowers at Old Apartment Denver Botanic Garden
	Hooray! Check out the snow! Mount Cameron in the background as the very beginning of Buckskin Creek runs from Kite Lake.
	The campground and parking area.
	A vivid shot of Mount Cameron on the left. Mt. Lincoln is out of view - it is farther back to the right.
	I'm 90% sure that triangular mountain is either Mount Bross or a "false summit" blocking Mt. Bross.
	Looking back down the valley towards Alma.
	Information on hiking these 14ers. My hikes and photos from the area: Quandary Peak Mt. Elbert Mt Sherman Hoosier Pass (September 2005) Hoosier Pass (March 2006) Breckenridge Trout Creek Pass
	Walking back to my car, these two friendly guys gave me a ride back. They were both doing a "wilderness training" in Leadville; The driver was from Texas and the passenger was from Nebraska.