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I headed down to Clear Creek and CO-390 to try my hand once again on Missouri Mountain, the third time in a month. Turned back by weather conditions and lack of conditioning the previous two attempts, I was hoping for a better outcome. The alarm sounded at 2:15am, with rain drops on the windshield and clouds hanging in the trees I struggled to get up and out of the car. What the heck I already made the drive so I might as well give it another try. Before I knew it I was headed up the trail at 3:30am. One thing about early starts, there is always something special to reward the effort. Frozen moisture floating in the air reflecting in the headlamp, a simple touch. dark-4:30
A bright moon took over as I climbed out of the low hanging clouds and thick forest exposing a deep night blue sky. Moon-1
The moon moved swiftly across the ridge and soon dropped out of sight. The sun chasing the lunar mass started lighting the upper slopes and provided my first good view of the north face of Missouri. It seems to be holding a large amount of snow. NF-1
It took me 3:45 to reach the bench at the start of the headwall. It was now 7:15am and the wind was howling down the slopes of Mt. Belford. I fumbled and bumbled putting on bibs and a shell, the wind not helping the effort at all. I stashed my snow shoes and poles under a rock, drank and ate a bit for fuel. After a 25 minute break I was ready to head up for the final 800' of the climb. NF-2
Without a hard freeze overnight the snow was much softer than expected. I sunk steps 6" to 12" with every step, the snow was several feet deep on the lower portion. My progress was extremely slow and it took me 1:35 to climb the C-Couloir to the summit. You have to be stubborn to continue at that pace, lucky for me- I am. tracks-1
The snow depth decreased in the upper portion, though I did find a waist deep pool just below the summit. tracks-2
I was amazed at the amount of snow on the surrounding peaks, more snow than I've seen in a while let alone in May. The view is fantastic, another reward for the mornings effort. Peak-1 Peak-2 Peak-3
The wind was relentless and chased me off the ridge in 20 minutes. I took a sitting glissade from the ridge and rode it to just below the lower rocks. The soft snow stopped me there and I booted it back to the snow shoe stash. The return trip took 12 minutes, if only I could ski better. glissade-1
I stripped the goretex off and strapped on the snow shoes for the walk down. The wind was still howling but the sun bright and the walk down would be a sweaty affair. I headed off to follow the white carpet to the valley below.
Looking back for a final view on Missouri Mountain, a great day in the hills. looking back
General information, I wore snow shoes back down to the creek crossing below the cabin remains. From there the snow is minimal to the trailhead. Snow in the upper basin is melting quickly but still deep in spots, I recommend floatation for the return trip. Hope you enjoyed the tale, safe trails to all. Who else
Ed....
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
From image 8 it looks like the standard route would have required crampons, going below that one big tower
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