Mt. Oxford

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 1/29/2024, By: bangerth
Info: @Will_E and @supranihilest made a great trench on Saturday, and us two plus one or two other groups cemented it in place on Sunday. We wore snowshoes all the way to treeline and back from treeline to the trailhead, and that's probably going to continue to be the preferable mode of transportation. Above treeline, I only use boots, my partner (mostly) used microspikes. Either is fine. The ridge up to Belford is half dry/half covered by a couple of inches of snow. On the way over to Oxford, only the descent to the saddle has more than a thin layer of snow, but it never gets difficult. You'd get wet socks if you didn't wear gaters, though. We tacked on Pecks Peak on the way back. The way over to Pecks is delightful and easy. We took a northwesterly direction down to the trail, and that at times got uncomfortably steep with a thin layer of snow that's thick enough to be slippery on its own but not deep enough to allow for plunge stepping. We tried the gully on the NW side of Pecks because it looked like it's not got enough snow in it to worry but enough to plunge step. But the little bit of snow sits on ice, and the one glissade that was attempted went uncomfortably longer than planned. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 1/27/2024, By: supranihilest
Info: Climbed with the Trenchfather Will E today. Drivable to Missouri Gulch still. We beat the trench back in, only used our snowshoes for a short section from about the creek crossing to where it was so windblown they were useless. Snow up the ridge was light and powdery and slippery as heck, especially going downhill - we both fell on our asses multiple times. From Belford to the saddle was snowy but better on the north side of the ridge, up Oxford was far less snowy, mostly tundra and rock. Some whumpfing and cracking below treeline, not enough snow above if sticking to the route and avoiding obviously loaded terrain. Didn't bother with axe or traction today. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 1/1/2024, By: artemavovk
Info: Snowshoes not needed; spikes are helpful on descents. Trail is easy to follow but gets icy in spots. 95% of the snow on the way to Oxford can be avoided and/or it's pretty supportive. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 9/28/2023, By: Ariella6
Info: a little bit of snow but its avoidable, and some mud as you descend mount belford. The traverse and on up oxford is dry and in great condition. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 9/25/2023, By: jhanson927
Info: Trail was in great condition other than a few short sections of mud, snow, and ice on the ridge from the saddle to Mount Belford. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 9/25/2023, By: raphaelroxas
Info: Route was clear of snow for all but ~20ft in the shade of one rock formation on the Belford side of the saddle. No spikes, just poles. Photo looking back towards Belford. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 9/25/2023, By: Abowser7
Info: Near perfect conditions for Belford and Oxford still. Almost no snow on the summits, a small patch of maybe 10 feet of snow on the ridge connecting the two, but it was about 2 inches deep and looked like it was melting. Started at 4:30, summited Belford at 7:15, summited Oxford at 8:15, back to the car at 11:00. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 9/22/2023, By: wmagnuson7
Info: The trail was in great condition with only a dusting of snow and very little ice. No spikes or poles needed unless you are going to do Oxford as well (descent from Belford to Oxford icy enough where you would want spikes or poles). God Bless! 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 9/19/2023, By: griffincnotrees
Info: No snow. Just a smidge of mud as you hike down from Belford to Oxford. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 9/10/2023, By: BRadleyC
Info: Perfect summer conditions/bluebird day. Up Belford direct to Oxford and back via Elkhead Pass. All creek crossings were low flow and easy. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 7/11/2023, By: caesarsalad
Info: Backpacked in with my dad and camped around treeline. 7/8: up Beford's standard route, over to Oxford, then down Elkhead Pass. 7/9: Missouri standard route Route up Belford and ridge to Oxford are in full summer conditions. Elkhead pass trail still has some small snowfields - just makes it harder to find the trail and a bit swampy - and several stream crossings. Rock hopping is fine in the afternoon, but they're very icy in the morning. The lowest stream crossing + high waterflow + a lingering snow field makes part of the lower elkhead pass trail difficult to follow. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 7/6/2023, By: Ilovemontañas
Info: We went up Belford and it was doing pretty well with one River you had to jump but otherwise fine. Started to Belford and had not many issues other than one snowfield, not bad though and easily passable. After Oxford we rested at the top of Belford when we started talking to a local and he said to take the elk head trail to avoid the steep switchbacks. This trail is not good. It was difficult to follow at the top and almost impossible at the bottom. There was three rivers to cross, we were able to jump the first one, but we had to take off our shoes for the others. All in all a fun hike with not many people on the trail so it is peaceful. Have a nice hike! 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 7/2/2023, By: mtn14
Info: Minor snow field on the approach. Thanks to the folks who sanded the booters! In the morning, watch for refreeze, otherwise, no traction needed 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 7/3/2023, By: Zleisure
Info: Basically full summer conditions. Like a 30' section of snow btw Oxford & Belford that you can walk beside otherwise no snow. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 6/26/2023, By: mcosby
Info: Standard hike up. Basically no snow until 13,900 spikes are optional in my opinion, including the traverse from Belford. Straightforward route altogether.