Missouri Mountain - Sawatch Range

S - summit of Missouri RW - spot
to gain ridge and start ridge walk - by the way it's a long way up the Gulch
before you hit the trail to the ridge

Looking back down Missouri Gulch and
the approx route up to the ridge

Another look at the approx route up to
the ridge

The start of the ridge walk

A look back at the first part of the
ridge walk

Looking at the last part of the ridge
walk with the down climb, then the summit in view

A look at the down climb only about 20
feet

Last stretch after the down climb to
the summit

Voila! On the summit with Belford and
Oxford in the background
Missouri Mountain - Sawatch Range
Scramble: Class 2 – Steep Hiking
Altitude: 14,067 ft
Elevation Gain: 4,500 ft, 10.5 miles return
Start Time: 5am to 8am to be on your way down by noon and
avoid potential lightning storms
Ascent Time: Around 4 ˝ hours
Highlights
This scramble has a long approach up Missouri gulch but
once up on the ridge it is an enjoyable ridge walk with one small down climb
just before the summit. Views of Belford Oxford and Huron Peak.
Getting There
From Leadville drive south for 20 miles on US highway 24
and turn right on Chaffee County road 390. From Buena Vista drive 14.5 miles
north on US highway 24 and turn left on Chaffee County road 390. Once on 390
drive around 7.5 miles on this washboard bumpy dirt road to the Missouri
Gulch trailhead and parking area. There is a restroom at the trailhead. This
is the trailhead for Missouri Mountain, Mt Belford and Mt Oxford.
Updated trailhead info available here
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/trailheadsmain.php
Camping
There is dispersed camping along county road 390. Most
just sleep in their vehicles at the trailhead to get an early start. Some
backpack up the trail to the remains of an old cabin at 11,200 ft and start
their attempts the next morning.
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 up the
Gulch to access a
climb of Missouri mountain or all the way to Elk Pass. Continue straight up
the Gulch for a considerable way and take the trail heading right that
switch backs up the slopes of Missouri Mountain to the ridge crest. From
here you still have a quite long (3/4 mile) but enjoyable ridge walk to the
summit of Missouri Mountain.