8.0 miles one way, with 2,500 vertical feet of elevation gain, and there are 30 switchbacks to deal with.
So as a hike … not that great, at least if you’re gunning for the top. It is a decent little hike to get in a few miles and turn back, however. And it’s a fun mountain bike challenge in the summer.
IV. Empire–Republican Mountain Trailhead (9,570’) and Bard Creek Trailhead (10,150’)
Republican Mountain is best accessed by the Democrat and Republican Mountain four-wheel-drive road (the best way to hike the peaks in this section). The Bard Creek Trail is slowly fading from existence but provides an interesting alternative to reach these peaks—which are some of the most overlooked in the Front Range. Fans of fourteeners can brag about hiking Columbia (not that Columbia), Democrat (not that Democrat), and Sherman (not that Sherman) in the same day.
Note: The Silver Plume–based 7:30 Mine Trail accesses these same peaks from the south and is a much easier trailhead for passenger cars (and drivers who don’t want to beat up their SUVs). The caveat is that the route from Silver Plume requires a mile of relatively easy off-trail navigation. See for details
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