Mt Belford and Mt Oxford Combo

The old cabin just before you reach
tree line at 11,300 feet

Once you reach tree line the route up
Belford comes into view on your left

Looking back down Missouri Gulch from
the slopes of Belford

Upper slopes of Belford were a little
less steep than the start

The way is obvious from the summit of
Belford over to Oxford

Victoria on the summit of Oxford
crowned by the summit of Belford

On our way back to the summit of
Belford, 700 feet to go for a total of 5,900 feet, whew!
Mt. Belford / Mt. Oxford Combo
Scramble: Class 2 – Steep Hiking
Altitude: Belford 14,197 ft, Oxford 14,153 ft
Elevation Gain: Belford 4,560ft, 7.0 miles return,
Belford/Oxford 5,900ft, 10.0 miles return
Start Time: 5am to 8am to be on your way down by noon and
avoid potential lightning storms, 5am for the combo recommended
Ascent Time: Belford 4 Hours, Belford/Oxford – 1 hour
there and 1 hour 10 minutes back to Belford summit
Highlights
This combo was enjoyable but long. Both summits have
great views, Note Mt. Harvard to the south. At the Belford/Oxford saddle on
our way back we heard like a pack of wild coyotes yelping in the basin
below. It was kind of eerie and I think perhaps they had been catching
marmots or something. Vicky and I kept an eye on the slope below to see if
anything was coming up on us but nothing appeared. I did have my hunting
knife and a couple of ski poles available. The mind can conjure up some
scenarios with the sounds we heard.
Getting There
Missouri Gulch Trailhead – 9,640ft – Yes restroom
From Leadville: Drive 20 miles south on U.S. 24 and turn
right on the Chaffee County 390 road. From Buena Vista: Drive 14.5 miles
north on U.S. 24 and turn left on the Chaffee County 390 road. On the 390
road, drive 7.5 miles to a sign for the Missouri Gulch trailhead. Turn left
and drive down into the large parking area. There are restrooms here.
Updated trailhead info can be found
here
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/trailheadsmain.php
Camping
There are many informal camping spots along the Chaffee
County 390 road as well as the usual sleeping in the old vehicle at the
Missouri Gulch trailhead to get the earliest start. Some backpack up to the
Missouri Gulch basin and setup near the remains of the old log cabin to get
a head start.
Route Description
Head up the Missouri Gulch trail as it switchbacks up
through the forest. You have to cross the creek coming down the Gulch on a
wobbly set of logs. Just before tree line you will see the remains of an old
log cabin. Tree line is at 11,300 ft and the Gulch opens up with Belford off
in the distance to the left. Continue on the trail to a junction at 11,600
ft. The trail to the left takes you to the switchbacks up Belford’s NW
shoulder. The trail to the right continues on to the slopes to access a
climb of Missouri mountain or all the way to Elk Pass. Taking the trail to
the left takes you up Mt. Belford. The highest point you can see on Belford
is not the summit. The summit is actually a bit behind this and further
east. The trail will contour around the high point that you can see to the
right, from there you head left or east and the summit is only 5-10 minutes
away, a mound of light colored rock.
From the summit of Belford looking east and a bit south
the route to Oxford is obvious, approx 1.5 miles one way. Head south ¼ mile
then east on the trail dropping 700ft to the Belford/Oxford saddle at 13,500
ft then hike up the gentle west slopes of Oxford to the summit. Another 700
ft back to Belford and voila, you have a double.