Mount Lincoln reaches 14,293 feet as the highest summit of the Mosquito Range and the eleventh-highest point in the contiguous United States. Named for Abraham Lincoln and located within Pike National Forest above the old silver-mining town of Alma, the mountain carries traces of its mining past throughout the ascent, with old shafts and tailings visible along the slopes. The surrounding terrain tells a geological story spanning more than 1.7 billion years, from Precambrian granite and schist at the core to the mineralized limestone zones that drew prospectors here after silver was discovered in 1874.
The standard approach begins at the Kite Lake Trailhead at roughly 12,000 feet, with routes rated Class 2 and covering about 5.6 miles round-trip with 2,400 feet of elevation gain. Lincoln is most often combined with Mount Democrat and Mount Bross in a single outing, following the connecting ridgelines across Cameron to Lincoln's summit via the West Ridge, or ascending the East Slopes through the old Russia Mine area to gain the northeast ridge. The summit itself is a broad, rocky plateau with views over South Park to the east, Quandary Peak to the north, and Mount Elbert and the Sawatch Range to the west.
Afternoon thunderstorms build quickly in July and August; an early start from the trailhead is essential. Snow can linger on north-facing slopes well into June.
