johnmnichols - Dec 26, 2007 10:15 am Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2007
Belford
Approached via Missouri Gulch trail. Was hoping to trek over to Oxford, but a mid-morning storm pushed us to make a quick descent.
lilmantis - Nov 26, 2007 4:22 pm Date Climbed: Nov 24, 2007
Camped out at 14K
Camped on the east face of the saddle just below the summit. Sleeping at 14K is tough. I felt better in the morning after a long rough night with subzero temps and 30-40mph winds. We went on to bag Oxford around noon. Sprained the ankle on the way down and it looks like a softball today. Part of the job I guess. Went up with Brian Smith who was on the Mountain Madness Everest Summit Team and summited in May. Lots of cool stories of the couple months he spent there. Wanted to do Missouri but we were too spent considering the conditions.
Aspen - Nov 11, 2007 11:54 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2007
Didn't make it to Oxford...again!
Well, I made it up to BELFORD, but not OXFORD!!! Grrrr!!! I really tried but the weather was too threatening. See a 30-sec. clip of my effort off the Belford summit in my trip report or on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCNNa-3A7GU
Did it again. Windy, cold and nice as always. Hiked with Eric Perry.
GeorgeJames - Oct 1, 2007 10:41 am Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2007
Pecks Peak to Belford
Left the Missouri Gulch Trail at the Mount Belford\Elkhead Pass trail junction, headed east up the slope of Pecks Peak, then traversed the ridge to Belford's summit. A windy day, but no clouds anywhere made for great views everywhere. Headed over to Oxford and came back down the standard Belford trail.
BeginnerClimber - Sep 28, 2007 11:23 am Date Climbed: Sep 26, 2007
Did the Bel/Ox duo
Climbed both Bel and Ox today under a cloudless sky but where the weather was quite breezy. Crossed several small snow fields but had the poles to help out. Only met 2 other folks the entire day!
I recommend doing this, but the standard Belford trail is very tough on the knees! If you have the energy, head up Elkhead Pass, as that looks like Class 1 all the way.
mnichols - Sep 23, 2007 5:01 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2005
Long day on Belford
We were there for the first snow of the season in 2005. The snow began while we camped the night before, partway up the trail among the switchbacks. It really got going as we went for the summit, causing us to lose the trail and eventually just beeline for the summit. The snow was about 8 inches deep on the way down. Luckily we were somewhat prepared for these developments. This was my first 14er.
HylianHero - Sep 16, 2007 12:38 am Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2007
#26
It was a really windy day! We were going to go for Oxford, but it was too bad up on top of Belford, so we returned after summiting. Great trail, too bad the hail was pelting us the entire time.
wlstone - Sep 8, 2007 10:13 pm Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2007
Belford solo
Summited Belford all by itself and spent too much time watching goats to try Oxford....
Scott - Sep 6, 2007 9:05 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2007
Belford
Did Belford with my five year old son Kessler. Also Oxford on the same day.
pksander - Sep 3, 2007 9:34 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2007
Belford and Oxford
Great climb with Eric Lee and Andy Gerber. Ascended via Missouri Gulch TH, hit Oxford, and returned via the Elkhead Pass trail. Nice, with a bit of weather.
Brandon Fuller - Sep 1, 2007 11:53 am Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2007
Via Missouri Gulch
Good weather until we hit the trees on the way back down.
pittbrownie - Aug 26, 2007 10:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
via Missouri Gulch
Steep hike, but it was nice getting a good look at Hope Pass from the top.
Brad Snider - Aug 24, 2007 2:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2007
Bel-Ox-Emarld-Iowa-MO
Over 8,000 vertical ft. and a lot of miles, but the scenery made it worthwhile.
mountainloverCO - Aug 23, 2007 11:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2007
Missouri Gulch TH with Oxford
Started on the Missouri Gulch TH at 6:15 and summited Belford at 9:05. Spent fifteen 15 minutes on top and then made the trek on over to Oxford. Had good weather (although it was really hot up there!) and decent views.
davebobk47 - Aug 20, 2007 11:49 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2007
From Missouri Mt
After climbing Missouri came down to the valley and hiked up the steep west slope of Belford.
ouray19 - Aug 19, 2007 11:58 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2004
Belford
My story sounds pretty common - have done Belford twice, the second time for Oxford but had to turn around because of weather - some day I'll make it to Oxford!
Aspen - Aug 17, 2007 12:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2002
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch TH
This had been my first time climbing Mt. Belford -- an approachinig storm denied me and my team the neighboring peak, Mt. Oxford. Grrr!! I didn't know it then, but I would try many time thence to re-take it to get to Oxford and all were unsuccessful due to rain and snow. But I'll get there one day :D
During a rest stop in the descent, I accidentally stepped on my glasses. Totally unbelieveable!!
Belford was my first(14ner) back in 1994. Did it again from Missouri Gulch hoping to have the weather for a chance at Oxford, but it was not to be. Met a big, fat marmot who was conditioned to the sound of snack wrappers. Opening a bag really got his attention.
johnmnichols - Dec 26, 2007 10:15 am Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2007
BelfordApproached via Missouri Gulch trail. Was hoping to trek over to Oxford, but a mid-morning storm pushed us to make a quick descent.
lilmantis - Nov 26, 2007 4:22 pm Date Climbed: Nov 24, 2007
Camped out at 14KCamped on the east face of the saddle just below the summit. Sleeping at 14K is tough. I felt better in the morning after a long rough night with subzero temps and 30-40mph winds. We went on to bag Oxford around noon. Sprained the ankle on the way down and it looks like a softball today. Part of the job I guess. Went up with Brian Smith who was on the Mountain Madness Everest Summit Team and summited in May. Lots of cool stories of the couple months he spent there. Wanted to do Missouri but we were too spent considering the conditions.
Aspen - Nov 11, 2007 11:54 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2007
Didn't make it to Oxford...again!Well, I made it up to BELFORD, but not OXFORD!!! Grrrr!!! I really tried but the weather was too threatening. See a 30-sec. clip of my effort off the Belford summit in my trip report or on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCNNa-3A7GU
Knight
Foxy Long Bottoms - Nov 11, 2007 9:00 pm Date Climbed: Nov 11, 2007
MO GulchDid it again. Windy, cold and nice as always. Hiked with Eric Perry.
GeorgeJames - Oct 1, 2007 10:41 am Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2007
Pecks Peak to BelfordLeft the Missouri Gulch Trail at the Mount Belford\Elkhead Pass trail junction, headed east up the slope of Pecks Peak, then traversed the ridge to Belford's summit. A windy day, but no clouds anywhere made for great views everywhere. Headed over to Oxford and came back down the standard Belford trail.
BeginnerClimber - Sep 28, 2007 11:23 am Date Climbed: Sep 26, 2007
Did the Bel/Ox duoClimbed both Bel and Ox today under a cloudless sky but where the weather was quite breezy. Crossed several small snow fields but had the poles to help out. Only met 2 other folks the entire day!
I recommend doing this, but the standard Belford trail is very tough on the knees! If you have the energy, head up Elkhead Pass, as that looks like Class 1 all the way.
mnichols - Sep 23, 2007 5:01 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2005
Long day on BelfordWe were there for the first snow of the season in 2005. The snow began while we camped the night before, partway up the trail among the switchbacks. It really got going as we went for the summit, causing us to lose the trail and eventually just beeline for the summit. The snow was about 8 inches deep on the way down. Luckily we were somewhat prepared for these developments. This was my first 14er.
HylianHero - Sep 16, 2007 12:38 am Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2007
#26It was a really windy day! We were going to go for Oxford, but it was too bad up on top of Belford, so we returned after summiting. Great trail, too bad the hail was pelting us the entire time.
wlstone - Sep 8, 2007 10:13 pm Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2007
Belford soloSummited Belford all by itself and spent too much time watching goats to try Oxford....
Scott - Sep 6, 2007 9:05 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2007
BelfordDid Belford with my five year old son Kessler. Also Oxford on the same day.
dr_gonz - Sep 4, 2007 4:11 pm
triple playfun day. gorgeous area.
pksander - Sep 3, 2007 9:34 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2007
Belford and OxfordGreat climb with Eric Lee and Andy Gerber. Ascended via Missouri Gulch TH, hit Oxford, and returned via the Elkhead Pass trail. Nice, with a bit of weather.
Brandon Fuller - Sep 1, 2007 11:53 am Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2007
Via Missouri GulchGood weather until we hit the trees on the way back down.
pittbrownie - Aug 26, 2007 10:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
via Missouri GulchSteep hike, but it was nice getting a good look at Hope Pass from the top.
Brad Snider - Aug 24, 2007 2:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2007
Bel-Ox-Emarld-Iowa-MOOver 8,000 vertical ft. and a lot of miles, but the scenery made it worthwhile.
mountainloverCO - Aug 23, 2007 11:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2007
Missouri Gulch TH with OxfordStarted on the Missouri Gulch TH at 6:15 and summited Belford at 9:05. Spent fifteen 15 minutes on top and then made the trek on over to Oxford. Had good weather (although it was really hot up there!) and decent views.
davebobk47 - Aug 20, 2007 11:49 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2007
From Missouri MtAfter climbing Missouri came down to the valley and hiked up the steep west slope of Belford.
ouray19 - Aug 19, 2007 11:58 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2004
BelfordMy story sounds pretty common - have done Belford twice, the second time for Oxford but had to turn around because of weather - some day I'll make it to Oxford!
Aspen - Aug 17, 2007 12:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2002
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch THThis had been my first time climbing Mt. Belford -- an approachinig storm denied me and my team the neighboring peak, Mt. Oxford. Grrr!! I didn't know it then, but I would try many time thence to re-take it to get to Oxford and all were unsuccessful due to rain and snow. But I'll get there one day :D
During a rest stop in the descent, I accidentally stepped on my glasses. Totally unbelieveable!!
slowbutsteady - Jul 27, 2007 9:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 1997
Back to BelfordBelford was my first(14ner) back in 1994. Did it again from Missouri Gulch hoping to have the weather for a chance at Oxford, but it was not to be. Met a big, fat marmot who was conditioned to the sound of snack wrappers. Opening a bag really got his attention.