Mt. Belford

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 3/12/2017, By: Stratosfearsome
Info: Road 390 is dirt until 3 miles short of Missouri Gulch TH where it is impassible for my jeep. An ok trench takes you to tree-line. Used snowshoes between Missouri TH and start of NW ridge. Stashed them there. Pretty long day, about 17miles and 6,600ft +/-. Very warm. Almost 40 up top and no wind! Get some. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 1/23/2017, By: bmcqueen
Info: We started 1/21 at the winter closure 4 miles below the TH and pulled sleds up to the cabin at 11,200. There is a good trench now after 7 of us this weekend, but snowshoes still highly recommended.

From the cabin 1/22, we climbed Belford and Oxford. Once on Belford's wind blown ridge, snowshoes were still a plus but weren't critical. One of mine broke around 13,800' on Belford's ascent so I just booted up the rest and over to Oxford and back down. It probably would have been better to put on my spikes, but I didn't bother. A few pics attached. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 12/31/2016, By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: Road is blocked by snow nearly 4 miles below the Missouri Gulch trailhead. We rode sleds in and skinned up the Missouri Gulch trail which was snow-covered all the way to the tree line and mostly snow-covered up to the start of the ridge. There's nothing skiable up there right now but if you're hiking, snowshoes are a must at least to the ridge. We didn't hike up the standard route but I've included a couple of shots of the ridge. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 11/23/2016, By: dstelk
Info: Hiked Belford on 11/22. 390 rd only a trace of snow to TH. About 3" of snow fell the night before down low. I think more up high, but tough to tell due to wind transport. Trail is snow packed through the gulch and mainly drifted snow up the ridge, knee deep in spots. I went all the way to the ridge before putting on micros and kept them on until getting back to the TH. I was the only vehicle at the TH when I started at 7:15, and with more weather seeming to move in, I punted on Oxford. Was crazy to be the only person in Missouri Gulch and surrounding peaks, and didn't like the thought of being on that ridge, alone, in a white out. Avy danger is nil on Belford for now, but it won't take much to change that since the layer that's down right now is granular and faceted. East facing aspects are holding more snow and probably more wind loaded as winds were stiff out of the west for that storm that just came through. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 11/21/2016, By: emself
Info: Route is mostly dry, with some patches of snow and ice on the switchbacks up the ridge. The creek crossing at 10,800 was completely iced over. Microspikes were nice to have for the descent. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 11/9/2016, By: jess10611
Info: Hiked both Belford & Oxford today (11/9). Started at 2:30am, made it to the top of Belford by 6:30 for sunrise. Below treeline there was some snow leftover from last weekend. Nothing that warranted microspikes though. Above treeline there were probably 2-3 inches of leftover snow. Microspikes or poles would’ve been nice to have on the way down (I was sliding all over), but not necessary I guess since I was able to make it without falling. Left Belford around 6:50 and was on top of Oxford by 8. Oxford was completely dry. Very minimal snow that could be easily avoided. However, there was some snow on the saddle between the two but I still managed just fine without spikes. Overall, would recommend microspikes for Belford descent, but they probably won’t be needed besides that. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/29/2016, By: Owen Puffenberger
Info: The short version: no traction is necessary.
The long version: trail is still in practically summer conditions until you actually hit Belford's NW ridge after the junction for Missouri/Elkhead Pass. Ascending the ridge, the trail is still probably 80% clear, but there are numerous patches of (totally avoidable) snow and ice on the trail. The summit itself was clear. A beautiful, albeit extremely windy day. Only saw 8 other hikers all day. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/24/2016, By: acpeterson11779
Info: Weather was perfect, low wind and solid temps. Trail was mostly clear of snow and ice, there were sections that the snow covered the trail, not much of an issue going up more going down after the snow had melted and the ice became slippery. Overall though the trail is still great and the summit is very reachable. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/16/2016, By: awflynn
Info: Sunny and cool, but windy. The Weather Channel indicated wind would be in low 20 mph range, but wind and gusts exceeded 60 mph at and near the summit. Mixture of rock/dirt and snow/ice in trails above tree line. Poles and micro-spikes were nice to have (other climbers on trail without spikes). No water to be had above the Missouri Gulch. We each brought about 60 liters of water, which was more than enough for Mt. Belford. However, had we extended to Oxford, we would have gotten thirsty. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/12/2016, By: jpoppinfresh
Info: Smooth sailing. Once you are on the main ridge you'll run into occasional knee-high snow if you go off route. Route finding was quite easy so it shouldn't be a problem. Microspikes and trekking poles definitely made life easier in a few spots. Had the place to myself...it was a beautiful day. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/8/2016, By: Tlorbets
Info: Did Combo, see Mt. Oxford report. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 9/3/2016, By: 50Stater
Info: Clear all the way 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 7/7/2016, By: Indy
Info: Camped at the cabin campsite. Temperature was perfect throughout the day. The summit was extremely windy (est. 35-45 mi/hr). No hazards along the route, summer conditions. Just be wary of the wind! 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 6/18/2016, By: tobiasfunke
Info: Summer conditions on Belford. Leave the snow gear at home as there is no need. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 6/20/2016, By: E_A_Marcus_949
Info: Beautiful conditions. Very little snow on the route and is avoidable apart from one area on the Oxford ascent... though it could be avoided with some rock hopping. Easy trail to follow. Be sure to cross the creek/river before you reach the hut, be sure to go to the left rather than following what "could be" a trail to the right... There are hot-pink markers on trees, which led to confusion and a rapid-like river crossing, but it's avoidable if you cross in the right place. Be ready for lots of switch-backs and some steep parts, but other than that, summer-like conditions.