11/18/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 11/18/2023, By: Will_E Info: Nice day on Bel-Ox, the trail is snowy, but well packed, I didn't need any traction or flotation. |
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11/7/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 11/8/2023, By: beervendor Info: Missouri Gulch kicked my ass so I only made it to the Missouri-Belford junction and can't speak to summit conditions. The trail to that point (almost 12k) was well packed up to the log bridge stream crossing. I'd highly recommend spikes and/or poles but not strictly necessary to that point. After leaving the trees, I was occasionally breaking thru drifts of 1-2ft. Lots of route-guessing thru the snow so be careful whose tracks you follow and watch your GPS. A beautiful fall day on an incredible piece of Colorado but not meant to be my first winter(ish) summit. (Xposted to Mt. Missouri) |
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11/4/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 11/4/2023, By: stickmann Info: There is now a nice ski/boot pack monstrosity of a trench up to the ridge. Snow on the ridge is thin but has exposed icy rocks which makes steep sections more difficult. The path is covered in deep snow and disappears intermittently into big snow drifts which were common but avoidable. The lower half of the ridge had sloppier snow conditions and made it harder than the upper half. I did not use traction, the snow was soft enough, but I did use an ice axe for support and probing. I wish I had brought flotation for below treeline but you can probably go either way until the next snowfall hides the trench. The snow isn't all that deep or supportive. The route to Oxford is mostly free of snow difficulties except on the descent from Belford. The east aspects had a lot more wind drifted snow with but is mostly avoidable. |
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10/21/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 10/22/2023, By: technicolorNH Info: The looping Missouri Gulch trail had minimal snow on it and the stream crossings were easy. Other climbers who did the more direct north slope trail said it had considerable snow but no glare ice yet. |
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10/21/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 10/22/2023, By: technicolorNH Info: The looping Missouri Gulch trail had minimal snow on it and the stream crossings were easy. Other climbers who did the more direct north slope trail said it had considerable snow but no glare ice yet. |
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10/21/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 10/21/2023, By: hannahjfarris Info: Snow covering the trail starting at 11,000 feet. By 12,000 feet the snow fully covered the trail. Microspikes are immensely helpful in slick areas. Would bring them for safety. |
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10/21/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 10/21/2023, By: hannahjfarris Info: Snow covering the trail starting at 11,000 feet. By 12,000 feet the snow fully covered the trail. Microspikes are immensely helpful in slick areas. Would bring them for safety. |
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10/15/2023 Route: Elkhead Pass Posted On: 10/16/2023, By: wintersage Info: Went up Elkhead, then up to Oxford, and then summited Belford to take the standard route down. Microspikes and gaiters helped for some portions of the route that had deep/slippery snow. |
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10/8/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 10/8/2023, By: Violet Info: The trail is dry up until the tree line. There is snow on the trail above that . Micro-spikes are strongly recommended . The trail is very steep even from the beginning. |
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9/28/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 9/28/2023, By: Ariella6 Info: trail is dry and in summer conditions. |
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9/24/2023 Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 9/25/2023, By: raphaelroxas Info: Trail has no snow, definitely recommend Elkhead pass. I used it for the up and the down, but was including Missouri Mountain. |
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9/24/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 9/25/2023, By: jhanson927 Info: Trail was in great condition. |
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9/21/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge 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! |
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9/17/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 9/19/2023, By: griffincnotrees Info: There was no snow anywhere. |
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9/14/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 9/14/2023, By: Dmnyanki Info: Beautiful day on Belford/Oxford. Not a single other soul on the trails all day. Some light snow around 9-10am but it looked like it was all melting. |