Approach
This is a good route to combine Harvard with Oxford and Belford. Otherwise it is a long hike in, 8 miles west from the Pine Creek trailhead or about 7 miles south from Missouri Gulch (with a climb over 13,200 ft. Elkhead Pass). From Pine Creek on US 24, there is a $1 per person fee (self serve pay) to cross the private property at the start. The climb starts just above Bedrock Falls at 11,200 ft. on the Pine Creek Trail south of Oxford.
Route Description
This is route 14.2 as described in Roach's "Colorado's Fourteeners" except that I started just above the falls rather than below. From above (1/4 mile SW of) Bedrock Falls, cross the stream and bushwack SSE. The woods are open so the going is pretty easy. At treeline traverse right of the rock face and up the grassy slopes to the summit. You can't get lost if you just keep going up (I did this at night). There is a little bit of boulder scrambling at the summit.
Essential Gear
Standard hiking stuff. There is no water above Pine Creek.
Miscellaneous Info
If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.
Images
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Sawatch Range
