Columbia Mountain (10,918), Democrat Mountain (11,700) & Republican Mountain (12,403) by Brian Schultz Saturday July 22, 2023

Roundtrip mileage: 9.8 miles from Forest Service Road 252
Elevation gain: 3,200'
Start to finish: 7 hours 15 minutes

I drove south from the town of Empire to Empire Pass, then drove FR 252 (Bard Creek Road) to FR 778, which I only drove a short distance before parking. My vehicle couldn't get up the last stretch to where Paul Stratmoen parked. I'd be using his handy trip report for these peaks and began at 7:30 AM under clear sunny skies.

All peaks today would be easily approached from 4X4 roads. Columbia, a short out and back jaunt, was reached at 9:00 and had several rock piles to climb up to see which was highest. I continued on the road to Democrat and after reaching its summit at 10:30, I caught up to another old road/track that went nearly to Republican's summit. I topped out at 11:20 and stayed until 11:50 enjoying the views and sunny weather, although cool winds added a chill to the air.

I wasn't paying close attention on the descent from Republican and veered away slightly from my ascent route but corrected it quickly. I had to step off the road several times as at least 15 jeeps and high clearance trucks were motoring up the road but make it back to my truck at 2:45.