Route Climbed: West Slopes from Missouri Gulch TH Date Climbed: July 23, 2003
A good climb in conjunction with Oxford. We started about an hour before sunrise (4:45 AM) and hit Belford Summit about 8:45 AM. Storms started brewing overhead earlier than usual ( about 9:30 AM) so as we approached Oxford we just ran up to touch the top of Oxford, take the picture, and get the heck outta there. We hit Oxford summit about 10 AM . Since we were in a vulnerable position on the ridge and a ways to go back to the Belford summit we hoofed it as fast as we could back to Belford and back down to lower, safer places. We got back to Belford summit at 11:30 AM just as the rains and winds began to really unleash. It was a good reminder why we carry rain gear and gloves even when it is warm and clear at the trailhead.
Don't underestimate a hike to bag both Belford and Oxford. Although a class 1 hike the distance and vertical gain is big-11 miles and 5,900-ft. The switchbacks back down to the TH will have you thinking of better days. Be prepared for sore knees afterwords and have ice ready. I thought Elkhead Basin was a really cool place, and a good place to camp. If you're in the area and don't care if it's a 14er, I recommend Mt. Hope as a all round better alternitive.
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch - 9,640' Date Climbed: July 14, 2001
As always this a typical Sawatch hike it starts steep at first and then flattens out. Once at timberline I could see the trail up to Belford. It looked steep but the fourteener’s initiative has rebuilt this trail recently and it wasn’t that bad. Though it felt like there were a hundred switchbacks.
I made it to the summit spent about one minute on top and headed for Oxford. The weather was heading in fast and was already cloudy, but it didn’t look like thunderstorms yet.
Once back on the ridge I didn’t want to make the trek back to Belfords summit so I headed to Elkhead pass. This is the saddle between Belford and Missouri Mtn. When I reached Elkhead pass I got a great view of Missouri’s class 4 route and it started to rain a little. Later down the trail the rain stopped and the view of Missouri Mtn was awesome.
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch - Northwest Flank Date Climbed: September 7, 2002
Nice steep hike the whole way to the top. Fewer switchbacks than La Plata (I liked that). Steady 40-50 mph wind the whole time I was above tree line! Unbelievable. Had to lean into the wind, and I was still getting blown off my feet at places.
Started at sunrise (6:45 am) and reached summit at 10 am. Went over to Oxford afterwards. I tried to get Missouri too, but got stormed off. Oh well, it'll be there.
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch Trailhead (Normal route) Date Climbed: August 1, 2002
All in all a beautiful day. Outstanding views on the way to the summit and on top. My wife and I only summited Belford as it began to get cloudy, so we decided not to go for Oxford and risk being stuck between the two peaks in a storm.
Route Climbed: Missoui Basin Date Climbed: July 30, 1997
I climbed this with my son Patrick. It was uneventful except for those darn switchbacks coming up from Clear Creek. We didn't do Oxford because it started snowing just before we reached the summit.
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch Date Climbed: August 9, 1999
What a beautiful hike in the fall - colors are great. Trail is nice - no talus hopping. Summited 11:15 am and lightning prevented us from going on to Oxford that day.
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch Date Climbed: 5-5-02
Climbed Mt. Belford on 5-4-02, little or no snow all the way to the top, very windy from tree line on up. Didn't have enough gas to get to Oxford this time, I would suggest packing in and establishing a high camp. We'll Be Back!!
kilimanjaro1 - Jul 29, 2003 7:19 pm
Route Climbed: West Slopes from Missouri Gulch TH Date Climbed: July 23, 2003A good climb in conjunction with Oxford. We started about an hour before sunrise (4:45 AM) and hit Belford Summit about 8:45 AM. Storms started brewing overhead earlier than usual ( about 9:30 AM) so as we approached Oxford we just ran up to touch the top of Oxford, take the picture, and get the heck outta there. We hit Oxford summit about 10 AM . Since we were in a vulnerable position on the ridge and a ways to go back to the Belford summit we hoofed it as fast as we could back to Belford and back down to lower, safer places. We got back to Belford summit at 11:30 AM just as the rains and winds began to really unleash. It was a good reminder why we carry rain gear and gloves even when it is warm and clear at the trailhead.
bernardhohman - Jul 29, 2003 12:55 am
Route Climbed: Elkhead Pass via Elkhead Basin Date Climbed: August 12, 2002Nice high camp and very early start had me all alone on the summit for quite some time. Otherwise uneventful day.
coloradoclimber - Jul 12, 2003 10:03 pm
Route Climbed: standard bagger route Date Climbed: summer 2001Did both Belford and Oxford, pretty good workout
Kane - May 29, 2003 7:17 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: 1997Don't underestimate a hike to bag both Belford and Oxford. Although a class 1 hike the distance and vertical gain is big-11 miles and 5,900-ft. The switchbacks back down to the TH will have you thinking of better days. Be prepared for sore knees afterwords and have ice ready. I thought Elkhead Basin was a really cool place, and a good place to camp. If you're in the area and don't care if it's a 14er, I recommend Mt. Hope as a all round better alternitive.
rob_runkle - May 29, 2003 6:20 pm
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch TH Date Climbed: February 26, 2003I was planning on accepting defeat for this Winter climb, but I ended up conquering my 2nd Winter peak.. Yippie!!
big_g - Mar 3, 2003 4:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2002
Route Climbed: Elkhead Pass via Elkhead Basin Date Climbed: 23 Jun 2002Watch out for the marmots in Elkhead Basin! They can be relentless and there is no place to hang food.
Grant - Jan 20, 2003 12:34 pm
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch - 9,640' Date Climbed: July 14, 2001As always this a typical Sawatch hike it starts steep at first and then flattens out. Once at timberline I could see the trail up to Belford. It looked steep but the fourteener’s initiative has rebuilt this trail recently and it wasn’t that bad. Though it felt like there were a hundred switchbacks.
I made it to the summit spent about one minute on top and headed for Oxford. The weather was heading in fast and was already cloudy, but it didn’t look like thunderstorms yet.
Once back on the ridge I didn’t want to make the trek back to Belfords summit so I headed to Elkhead pass. This is the saddle between Belford and Missouri Mtn. When I reached Elkhead pass I got a great view of Missouri’s class 4 route and it started to rain a little. Later down the trail the rain stopped and the view of Missouri Mtn was awesome.
rmjwinters - Oct 5, 2002 10:08 pm
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch Date Climbed: June 11 2000Windy and cold day. Off to Oxford.
cmccall - Oct 2, 2002 2:32 pm
Route Climbed: MISSOURI GULCH Date Climbed: September 28, 2002A good hike the weather was beautiful a little snow at the top. Got back to the trailhead just before it started to rain
charles97 - Sep 17, 2002 3:59 pm
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch - Northwest Flank Date Climbed: September 7, 2002Nice steep hike the whole way to the top. Fewer switchbacks than La Plata (I liked that). Steady 40-50 mph wind the whole time I was above tree line! Unbelievable. Had to lean into the wind, and I was still getting blown off my feet at places.
Started at sunrise (6:45 am) and reached summit at 10 am. Went over to Oxford afterwards. I tried to get Missouri too, but got stormed off. Oh well, it'll be there.
Nineth of 10 fourteeners in 6 days. #17 overall.
xskier77 - Sep 7, 2002 8:09 pm
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch to Elkhead pass Date Climbed: September 1, 2002Made the summit after climbing Missouri. Many more people on this summit and great views over to Oxford and Harvard.
jjcrow99 - Aug 13, 2002 5:50 am
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch Trailhead (Normal route) Date Climbed: August 1, 2002All in all a beautiful day. Outstanding views on the way to the summit and on top. My wife and I only summited Belford as it began to get cloudy, so we decided not to go for Oxford and risk being stuck between the two peaks in a storm.
wayneaflick - Jun 28, 2002 1:50 pm
Route Climbed: Missoui Basin Date Climbed: July 30, 1997I climbed this with my son Patrick. It was uneventful except for those darn switchbacks coming up from Clear Creek. We didn't do Oxford because it started snowing just before we reached the summit.
ctruscot - Jun 17, 2002 10:52 am
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch Date Climbed: August 9, 1999What a beautiful hike in the fall - colors are great. Trail is nice - no talus hopping. Summited 11:15 am and lightning prevented us from going on to Oxford that day.
alrac35 - May 15, 2002 10:48 am
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch Date Climbed: 5-5-02Climbed Mt. Belford on 5-4-02, little or no snow all the way to the top, very windy from tree line on up. Didn't have enough gas to get to Oxford this time, I would suggest packing in and establishing a high camp. We'll Be Back!!
steve simmons - Jan 3, 2002 4:50 pm
Route Climbed: standard approach from the west, straight over from missouri gulch Date Climbed: august 18th, 01morning summit, around 9:00, good conditions,continued on east to oxford.
Praise GOD!!!!!!!
nader - Dec 26, 2001 4:19 pm
Route Climbed: Vicksburg Trailhead Date Climbed: August 1996Surrounding slopes look ideal for mountain skiing
climbcolorado - Aug 16, 2001 7:54 pm
Route Climbed: West RidgeEasy hike with my small dog Sneakers!
Peter Eliassen - Aug 16, 2001 12:15 pm
Route Climbed: Missouri Gulch Date Climbed: 8/1/99Great hike, pace yourself if also doing Oxford.