Missouri Mountain Trip Report 08/02/2012

Peak(s):	Missouri Mountain - 14,071 feet Mt. Oxford - 14,158 feet Mt. Belford - 14,202 feet
Date Posted:	08/02/2012
Date Climbed:	07/21/2012
Author:	Xmascowboy

Inspired, Missouri, Mt. Oxford, then Mt.Belford , nicknamed it Mo-Botox
This is my first post ever. Will keep it short. I know this is a traditional trifecta and all. I scouted these three 14ers, climbing Mt. Bel the week before it hailed as I descended (that was fun). But most of my information came from the trip report by Mr. Gregory Fisher on 06/06/12 on this site, as his route inspired me to do this. Thank you very much! I don't have much to add to Gary's report except a few notes, except if you do this route and want to know how much time it could generally take to do all three for someone in fairly good shape. I added my times bellow. (Please note, I am sure there are many other sources for route times, and this info will be redundant for many). I had a hard time finding info on this site, for someone doing this route, (and am may not be a superhero like Gary) but moves pretty steady and enjoys the top, not rushing to the next. Also given this was my 3rd , 14r trip for the season and I went for it with the knowledge I average about a mile an hour as many say is average. This is for total round trip, with photo ops and rests at the top. Total time, 11hrs, 30mins approximately. I was solo, meeting a few people along the way (hey Nick n Kono the dog). Start 515-525am at TrailHead Parking Summit-ed top of MO at 9am Backside of MO, and the sucky traverse 10am (you will see a photo) Then Top area of Mt. Bel at 11:45am On Top of Mt. Ox at 12:35pm Back over to Mt. Bel, and Top of Mt. Bel at 1:25pm The Trail xing for Mt.bel/mo at 3:30 (close to first photo) At car, TH parking, 4:45pm The only route suggestion I have, that I didnt see in my limited reading. Is that when you go over the back side of Missouri, down to the saddle, its not easy to tell where the trail is. For sure go to the saddle , and then head straight down to the valley, you will see the trail crossing the valley to go back over to Elk Pass. You dont have to go all the way to the trail, I just suggest dont traverse at all like I did, it took too much energy for the amount saved. Go to the valley then cut over to Elk Pass and merge with the trail. If there was snow I can see it being worth traverse. The photos hopefully will help. Also, make sure you are ready for the decent from Mt. Bel area to Oxford, especially after having done Missouri. It was harder than I read, and realized. Enjoy, Noel (xmascowboy) PS: I hope this was useful. I am mostly documenting up till you get to Mt. Bel going this way. Its all down from here, and there are plenty of Mt. Bel posts etc. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Inspired, Missouri, Mt. Oxford, then Mt.Belford , nicknamed it Mo-Botox

This is my first post ever. Will keep it short. I know this is a traditional trifecta and all.

I scouted these three 14ers, climbing Mt. Bel the week before it hailed as I descended (that was fun). But most of my information came from the trip report by Mr. Gregory Fisher on 06/06/12 on this site, as his route inspired me to do this. Thank you very much!

I don't have much to add to Gary's report except a few notes, except if you do this route and want to know how much time it could generally take to do all three for someone in fairly good shape.

I added my times bellow. (Please note, I am sure there are many other sources for route times, and this info will be redundant for many). I had a hard time finding info on this site, for someone doing this route, (and am may not be a superhero like Gary) but moves pretty steady and enjoys the top, not rushing to the next. Also given this was my 3rd , 14r trip for the season and I went for it with the knowledge I average about a mile an hour as many say is average.

This is for total round trip, with photo ops and rests at the top. Total time, 11hrs, 30mins approximately. I was solo, meeting a few people along the way (hey Nick n Kono the dog).

Start 515-525am at TrailHead Parking
Summit-ed top of MO at 9am
Backside of MO, and the sucky traverse 10am (you will see a photo)
Then Top area of Mt. Bel at 11:45am
On Top of Mt. Ox at 12:35pm
Back over to Mt. Bel, and Top of Mt. Bel at 1:25pm
The Trail xing for Mt.bel/mo at 3:30 (close to first photo)
At car, TH parking, 4:45pm

The only route suggestion I have, that I didnt see in my limited reading. Is that when you go over the back side of Missouri, down to the saddle, its not easy to tell where the trail is. For sure go to the saddle , and then head straight down to the valley, you will see the trail crossing the valley to go back over to Elk Pass. You dont have to go all the way to the trail, I just suggest dont traverse at all like I did, it took too much energy for the amount saved. Go to the valley then cut over to Elk Pass and merge with the trail. If there was snow I can see it being worth traverse. The photos hopefully will help. Also, make sure you are ready for the decent from Mt. Bel area to Oxford, especially after having done Missouri. It was harder than I read, and realized.

Enjoy,
Noel (xmascowboy)

PS: I hope this was useful. I am mostly documenting up till you get to Mt. Bel going this way. Its all down from here, and there are plenty of Mt. Bel posts etc.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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