Mt. Oxford

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 1/21/2020, By: RWSchaffer
Info: The Belford end of the Belford-Oxford ridge is draped in snow fields (picture 1). Sometimes the snow compacts well giving good footing. But there are enough hard and slick sections to make traction mandatory (spikes worked well for me) and an ice axe advisable. The Oxford end of the ridge is almost devoid of snow (picture 2). 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 12/4/2019, By: CaptainSuburbia
Info: Nice trench to treeline left by CaptCO and SAR. Didn't need snowshoes. After cabin we stayed high and left of standard route to avoid deep snow. Used spikes up Belford and over to Oxford. Returned the way we came. From cabin to parking lot the trench had softened up quite a bit. Kept thinking about putting snowshoes on but never did. Back to vehicle by 4. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 10/13/2019, By: daway8
Info: From the back side of Belford there was a fair amount of snow starting to form some small wind slabs. Not enough yet to need snowshoes but microspikes are not a bad idea. Most people were turning back because the wind was freezing them. Be sure to bring layers to deal with the wind. This is a longer and more tiring route than mere mileage suggests. See also recent Belford conditions report. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 10/7/2019, By: majormajortom
Info: No trail condition change from previous reports. Beautiful October day, windy morning, warm and dry afternoon. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 9/22/2019, By: Mzapo
Info: Trail in great condition. Did not at any point need to route find. I don't believe there are pics of the avalanche debris in the route description but it's easy to follow, great trail work done here. Unrelentingly elevation gain and switch backs up Belford. From Belford to Oxford is straight forward with a gradual incline up Oxford after navigating down Belford's ridge, however the 500 ft re-ascent to Belford from Oxford was a bit tough and will definitly test willpower. Try to plan for a day with minimal wind (howling at 30 mph the entire time today, cut straight through both jackets i had on), if you choose to do both you'll spend plenty of time above treeline with little cover. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 9/12/2019, By: Trailposse17
Info: Was able to summit both peaks today with excellent conditions! Just a few spots of snow. Started at 9:30 and a few mentioned it was much colder earlier. 

Route: up Belford, down East Ridge
Posted On: 9/2/2019, By: madmattd
Info: Nothing of note, trail from Belford was manageable with full pack (~27lb) though tedious in a few spots off Belford. Descended the East Ridge. In attempting to skirt around a prominent steep rocky point I ended up descending too far and opted to sidehill on the talus most of the way to the col below Waverly Mountain. With full pack this was especially tedious, though manageable, dumb decision though. I suspect I should have stayed on the ridge (or climbed back up after the rocky point) for an easier time (that's what happens when you don't re-read the info you last looked at a year before taking the route!). From below (East) of Waverly to ~12,200' there is a decent use trail that skirts the remaining points, though it does fade in and out at times, but it was a good cruiser section. On the last descent I kept the rocky final knob to my (descender's) left and found easy going down to below treeline, and then swung slightly North to stay on the ridge through open woods. I ended up passing a cabin I wasn't expecting ~1/4mi from the height-of-land on the CT. CT descent was quick and easy as expected, trail is in good shape other than one 15' muddy section. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 8/27/2019, By: joyfulwriter
Info: Entire route is clear and in good shape. As others have noted, trail is modified before the creek crossing due to avalanche debris. Lots of wildflowers still blooming. Beautiful day to be out in the mountains. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 8/4/2019, By: Harrison
Info: Route is clear from snow. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 8/1/2019, By: jryor121
Info: Belford conditions are completely fine. Oxford has no snow and nothing to worry about (unless you end up taking the Southeast ridge that connects you to the Elkhead pass towards Missouri, then there is some snow just below the ridgeline). Was planning on hitting Missouri as well but decided to not push my luck with incoming storms. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 7/29/2019, By: aldsw
Info: Clear and dry all the way up except the creek crossing in the avalanche field. There's a nice bridge that made crossing easy. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 7/29/2019, By: jerihomler
Info: Trail was clear throughout Missouri Gulch up to Belford then Oxford. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 7/23/2019, By: MOUNTAINMANMIKE88
Info: Clear trails to oxford. The avalanches in Missouri gulch had alot of trees down can still see the trail CFI was out there 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 7/19/2019, By: Tlorbets
Info: 100% summer conditions. Avalanche debris was cleared off trail by wonderful volunteers. Parking lot was almost full at 6:30 am. 

Route: Via Mt. Belford
Posted On: 7/19/2019, By: 4NARNIA
Info: The Belford and Oxford combo was great. The trail and summits are in excellent condition. 99.9% snow free, perfect weather, and very little people on the trail. Pretty long and tiring hike, but got some amazing views.