This route is recommended as a snow climb, so avoid it once the snow melts out of the gully. From the parking area, start down the Missouri Gulch Trail. Cross the bridge that spans Clear Creek and continue into the forest. Hike over 1/4 mile and climb a bunch of switchbacks up through the forest. Leave the switchbacks at 10,400' and continue south along Missouri Gulch. At 10,800', turn left and cross to the east side of Missouri Gulch on a make shift log bridge -
1. Hike south along the gulch for 1/3 mile until you reach the remnants of an old shack -
2. Continue a short distance to exit the forest, near 11,300'. Follow the excellent trail south into the gulch as you gradually approach Belford -
3. At 11,600', reach a trail junction. The Elkhead Pass (Missouri Gulch) Trail continues to the right and the Mt. Belford Trail goes left. Turn left and continue on Belford's standard, northwest ridge trail -
4.
Before the base of the northwest ridge, the trail crosses a stream which drains from the northwest gully (your route). Leave the standard trail and start left up the gully -
5. It starts out narrow but soon widens out, above 12,200' -
6 and
7. Above 12,300', the gully turns left -
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9. The snow climbing is easy here but you'll notice steeper lines up to your right. Those lines go to the upper northwest ridge. Continue southwest up the center of the gully (
10) to reach more convoluted terrain, near 12,900' -
11 and
12. Follow the gully through broken ledges to 13,400', where the terrain opens up -
13. Near 13,600', turn right and follow the shallowing gully south toward the summit -
14 and
15. Walk up to the summit block and climb to the top -
16.
Northwest Gully
WARNING!
