Mount Belford and Mount Oxford

San Isabel National Forest, CO Sawatch Range

Trip stats

Distance
11.2 mi
Net Gain
5,700 ft
Time
5-7 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 1
Route
Out/Back
Peaks
2

Ratings out of 10

Effort
6.2/10
Personality
4/10
Beauty
7/10
Solitude
3.9/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. Mount Belford
    14,197′ elevation · 1,317′ prominence
  2. Mount Oxford
    14,153′ elevation · 633′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

38.998389, -106.374737

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

Sep 1, 2016 — 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.

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Photos

26 photos

  1. Starting up the Missouri Gulch Trail.
  2. Some switchbacks through the forest.
  4. Looking back the way I came once clearing treeline.
  5. Heading along the Missouri Gulch Trail into beautiful meadows.
  6. Starting up to Mt. Belford.
  7. View south along the switchbacks, a marmot on a rock.
  8. Heading up the ridge to Mt. Belford.
  10. On the way up the ridge, looking north the way I came up.
  11. Approaching the west ridge, which leads to the summit.
  12. View southwest toward Emerald Peak (right).
  13. Continuing up to the summit of Mt. Belford.
  14. Another view southwest.
  15. Mt. Belford summit ahead.
  16. View north from Mt. Belford summit.
  17. Mt. Belford summit, view east toward My. Oxford. Mt. Harvard visible on the right.
  18. Along the ridge to Mt. Oxford.
  19. Close-up of the ridge to Mt. Oxford.
  21. On the ascent to Mt. Oxford, looking back toward Mt. Belford.
  22. Continuing up to Mt. Oxford.
  23. Another shot back toward Mt. Belford along the ridge to Mt. Oxford, almost at the summit.
  24. Mt. Oxford ahead.
  25. Mt. Oxford summit, view south toward Mt. Harvard.
  26. On the way back on the Missouri Gulch Trail as clouds rolled over, looking south. Just thought it looked cool.

Photo 1 of 1

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Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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GPX track

Mount Belford and Mount Oxford GPX route and driving track

The complete GPX track is available to download, so you can load the route straight into your navigation app or device. The trip report, route info, photos and planning details stay free.

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