8/25/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 8/26/2023, By: kspitzer1987 Info: Still perfect summer conditions for both Belford and Oxford (and Missouri though I didnt quite summit). The NW ridge up Belford is relentlessly steep so I recommend descending via the Elkhead Pass route. It was both significantly less steep and had beautiful views. Once I reached Elkhead Pass, I tried to take a shortcut I had read about over to Missouris south ridge by descending south and then west from Elkhead Pass, but I mistakenly ended up on Missouris East Ridge insteadwith VERY LOOSE, very exposed class 4 terrainin the rain. Very thankful I was eventually able to find my way down via a very steep scree chute, but without that, I have no idea what I would have done. It was a huge mistake and easily could have cost me my life. If you plan to knock out Missouri after Belford/Oxford, stay on the Elkhead Pass trail to the standard NW Ridge trail up Missouri. DO NOT try Missouris East Ridge! |
|
8/12/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 8/12/2023, By: sean23 Info: Peak in summer conditions. Would not classify the NW Ridge trail as class 2, especially if you're not going on to Oxford. Aside from some loose dirt, the trail presented no difficulties. |
|
7/28/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/31/2023, By: bmanser02 Info: The peak is in great condition! Trailhead is super easy to find with lots of space, the trail was always well marked and kept good integrity. Currently, there is trail work being done around the mid-section starting around 7 am every day. They are very respectful to hikers. |
|
7/20/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/21/2023, By: drewshotwell Info: Perfect summer conditions all the way to the top. I did the Southwest Slopes on the way down, and on that there is one (1) small snow patch which shouldn't give too much trouble, but besides that is clear. |
|
7/16/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/18/2023, By: KS_Teacher11 Info: Summer conditions. 7am start. Trail is easy to follow. Oxford was clear of snow. Took Elkhead trail back to switch it up. Easier on the legs but added mileage. Still 1-2 snow fields that youll have to cross (didnt need crampons or spikes) also 2-3 stream crosses. Route finding on Elkhead would be difficult in dark conditions. |
|
7/16/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/18/2023, By: KS_Teacher11 Info: Summer conditions. 7am start. Trail is easy to follow. Oxford was clear of snow. Took Elkhead trail back to switch it up. Easier on the legs but added mileage. Still 1-2 snow fields that youll have to cross (didnt need crampons or spikes) also 2-3 stream crosses. Route finding on Elkhead would be difficult in dark conditions. |
|
7/15/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/16/2023, By: MaryinColorado Info: Dry all the way. Dry to Oxford. If you descend Elkhead, there are a couple super minor snow crossings that are barely worth mentioning. Also, if you descend Elkhead then naturally you descend the whole basin. Creek is running and running high. Who cares about wet shoes on descent? Not me. But you might! Be prepared for the possibility. There is also a lot of mud in some areas due to run-off. PLEASE don't create more social trails; just go through the mud! And I want to say it was around 11,600 things got confusing because for a minute the creek and trail are one. Look downstream beyond the willows, and you'll spot a tidy, short, rotund cairn that marks where to cross to pick up the trail again. |
|
7/8/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 7/11/2023, By: cjasnyd Info: Full summer conditions up to Belford via Northwest Ridge. We did descend via Elkhead Pass, and there's still some snowfields and streams to cross that way, but the standard route is totally clear. |
|
6/27/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 6/28/2023, By: blakebeitzel Info: Trail is in great shape, very minimal amount of snow. Due to sharp winds, we were not able to summit. Just a reminder that high winds can (and will) blow you off the trail and potentially cause severe injury. Be careful out there, and may the mountains be with you! |
|
6/24/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 6/26/2023, By: mcosby Info: Standard hike up. Basically no snow until 13,900 spikes are optional in my opinion, including the traverse over to Oxford. Straightforward route altogether. |
|
6/22/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 6/23/2023, By: Gavin Goold Info: Brought micros along but no serious need for them on the hike did not use them once. Started at 6:30 and finished 7 hours and 51 minutes later. Weather overall was very nice with just a slight hail storm around 12 between the 2 peaks. |
|
6/21/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 6/21/2023, By: gregpeak Info: Near summer conditions on the trail. There are just several short snow fields that are easy cross with no aid. |
|
6/19/2023 Route: Southwest Slopes Posted On: 6/26/2023, By: Jonathan Deffenbaugh Info: Headed over to Belford after Missouri, no floation needed despite traversing through multiple snowfields. Stayed on the right side till traversing left beneath the ridge line, then traversed over to Oxford then back to Belford, no traction required either, pretty straightforward at this point. Descended via glissade down the NW gulley, was in all the way back to the trail, just know that there is water flowing beneath you in the lower sections. |
|
6/18/2023 Route: Northwest Gully Posted On: 6/19/2023, By: sunburnt Info: Intended to climb Missouri North Face but there was evidence of a fresh avalanche (see photo) and the trail was obscured, so turned off for Belford West Gully. Started the gully a 07:00 and made it to 12,800 before the sun started cresting the west side of the gully. Didn't need crampons but snowshoes would have been helpful. Was tired from going straight up so made the ridge and tried to find the trail. Trail was intermittently available and groups ahead of me were bee lining the false summit through the tundra. Started down at 13:00 after Oxford. Snow too rotten to glissade into gully and triggered some small wet slabs. Trail was half mud half melted snow, very slippery. Lot's of marmots. Hopefully trail melts out this week. |
|
6/18/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 6/18/2023, By: 14er101 Info: Did a sunrise hike today. Minimal snow until around 12200, then a few inches of fresh snow, but should melt quickly. There was a large avy on Missouri at some point. Belford's Northwest Gully looked to be in all the way to the summit. Did not go to Oxford, we are fed up with the wind! |