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Start: 6.30am as often reported, we got "one of the last" parking spots (you know there's always room for one more.)
Weather was beautiful-cloudless skies, cool morning
at Missouri Gulch Trail Head
Before long you are right in to a series of switchbacks. There were plenty of folks along the trail. After the log structure, you soon get out of the trees and into the valley. The creek was a good source of water for the dogs. This was nice in the shade and still relatively cool.
Out of the Trees
After you pass the creek further up the valley, the elevation gain gets serious. And it sure got cool.
Looking back down the valley
We got to Mt. Belford at about 9:50am. And there were plenty of others.
We headed over to Mt Oxford along the trail
Looking at Mt. Oxford from Mt. Belford
There is a big elevation drop off Mt. Belford to the saddle. Remember to save some energy for the return trip-what goes down must come back up. We got to Mt.Oxford at about 11.15am and had a fine lunch and took in the view!
Looking back at Mt. Belford from the Mt. Oxford Summit
I spoke to several folks who also headed over to Missouri Mountain or skipped Oxford for it. The descent can be tricky so make sure you have some good footing at the top back across the creek in the valley floor. I slipped a few times.
There is a nice waterfall/creek when you are at the log structure that's worth a look on the descent.
We took our time on the summits, eating, drinking... and then headed back to the parking lot arriving about 3.05pm. This was a longer hike (10 miles or so) so I'd recommend more water than you might normally bring. But a relatively easy climb I thought with no real scrambling or climbing required-just a loooong walk.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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