Follow the
Northwest Ridge Route (Standard) or
Southwest Slopes Route to the summit of Mt. Belford. Oxford is 1.5 miles to the east and the connecting ridge between Belford and Oxford is obvious -
1. What you cannot see from here is that the descent from Belford is more difficult than the hike up to Oxford.
Descend southeast from Belford's summit and follow a trail southeast -
2. After 1/4 mile and still above 14,000', turn left and start down Belford's east ridge, toward the Belford-Oxford saddle -
3. Before the turn, you may see another trail heading toward Elkhead Pass - stay on the trail for Oxford. Begin your descent of the ridge -
4 and
5. Follow the trail toward Oxford as it weaves down through the rocks (
6) to reach the saddle
at 13,500' -
7.
Cross the saddle and hike Oxford's southwest ridge -
8 and
9. Near 14,000' the summit comes into view -
10. Follow the trail to the final pitch (
11) and walk through rocks to reach the top
-
12 and
13. For your descent, you must return to Mt. Belford and descend via Missouri Gulch -
14. There are no other trails or shortcuts leading back to the trailhead.