Mount Belford and Mount Oxford in San Isabel National Forest, CO

Hike Mount Belford and Mount Oxford San Isabel National Forest, CO

Class 1 11.2 miles 5700 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Sep 1, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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The Missouri Gulch Trailhead is very popular, but can be reached by any vehicle, though it might get a teeny bit bumpy for sedans. I started out heading south on the really easy to follow Missouri Gulch Trail. It's a bit steep at first, lots of switchbacks leading through the forest and up to treeline. I reached the junction where right leads to Missouri Mountain and left continues to Mount Belford. I headed left and took the million little switchbacks up the northwest ridge of Mount Belford.

From Mount Belford, I dropped along its east ridge in order to head over to Mount Oxford. I'd of course need to regain this vertical later on my way back. The summit views are beautiful and the whole hike has great views of the Sawatch Mountains.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Belford
14197 ft
1317 rise
2
Mount Oxford
14153 ft
633 rise

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Starting up the Missouri Gulch Trail.
Starting up the Missouri Gulch Trail.
Some switchbacks through the forest.
Some switchbacks through the forest.
Image 2 from gallery
Looking back the way I came once clearing treeline.
Looking back the way I came once clearing treeline.
Heading along the Missouri Gulch Trail into beautiful meadows.
Heading along the Missouri Gulch Trail into beautiful meadows.
Starting up to Mt. Belford.
Starting up to Mt. Belford.
View south along the switchbacks, a marmot on a rock.
View south along the switchbacks, a marmot on a rock.
Heading up the ridge to Mt. Belford.
Heading up the ridge to Mt. Belford.
Image 8 from gallery
On the way up the ridge, looking north the way I came up.
On the way up the ridge, looking north the way I came up.
Approaching the west ridge, which leads to the summit.
Approaching the west ridge, which leads to the summit.
View southwest toward Emerald Peak (right).
View southwest toward Emerald Peak (right).
Continuing up to the summit of Mt. Belford.
Continuing up to the summit of Mt. Belford.
Another view southwest.
Another view southwest.
Mt. Belford summit ahead.
Mt. Belford summit ahead.
View north from Mt. Belford summit.
View north from Mt. Belford summit.
Mt. Belford summit, view east toward My. Oxford. Mt. Harvard visible on the right.
Mt. Belford summit, view east toward My. Oxford. Mt. Harvard visible on the right.
Along the ridge to Mt. Oxford.
Along the ridge to Mt. Oxford.
Close-up of the ridge to Mt. Oxford.
Close-up of the ridge to Mt. Oxford.
Image 19 from gallery
On the ascent to Mt. Oxford, looking back toward Mt. Belford.
On the ascent to Mt. Oxford, looking back toward Mt. Belford.
Continuing up to Mt. Oxford.
Continuing up to Mt. Oxford.
Another shot back toward Mt. Belford along the ridge to Mt. Oxford, almost at the summit.
Another shot back toward Mt. Belford along the ridge to Mt. Oxford, almost at the summit.
Mt. Oxford ahead.
Mt. Oxford ahead.
Mt. Oxford summit, view south toward Mt. Harvard.
Mt. Oxford summit, view south toward Mt. Harvard.
On the way back on the Missouri Gulch Trail as clouds rolled over, looking south. Just thought it looked cool.
On the way back on the Missouri Gulch Trail as clouds rolled over, looking south. Just thought it looked cool.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!