Hiking Mount Belford – Sawatch Range, Colorado

Mount Belford is a 14,153 foot peak in the Sawatch Range of Colorado. Oxford is almost always combined with the adjacent Mount Oxford, and often combined with another 14er, Missouri Mountain.

Distance – 7.8 miles round trip (17.38 km)
Height – 14,203 feet (4329.07 m)
Elevation gain – 4,680 feet (1426.46 m)
Duration – 6 to 8 hours (book time)
Difficulty – Strenuous
Class: Class 2 Hike
Seasons – This hike can be completed in all seasons, but winter is especially difficult, and dangerous.
Trailhead Location – Missouri Gulch Trailhead – 9,650 feet (directions below)

 

Trails

 

Missouri Gulch Trail – 3.9 Miles One Way – 4,680 Feet Elevation Gain

This is the most common route taken towards Mount Oxford and Mount Belford. The trail begins by crossing over clear creek with a well maintained foot bridge. The trail remains relatively level for about .5 miles before hikers begin the first set of switchbacks.

1.2 miles in, hikers will reach a log bridge crossing the creek. The trail continues to ascend along the creek before reaching the junction towards either Mount Belford, or Missouri Mountain. All around this junction are various backcountry camping sites.

Hikers will bear left towards Mount Belford and Mount Oxford at this junction. The next 1.7 miles to the summit of Mount raise from 11,640 feet to 14,197 feet, making this section quite steep.

Once hitting the summit of Mount Belford, Mount Oxford is very clearly in site. Hikers will often choose to descend towards Elkhead Pass and do a bit of a loop. This adds some mileage, but less steep grade, and gorgeous views.

 

Mount Belford Via Elkhead Pass – 5.4 Miles One Way – 4,563 Feet Elevation Gain

This route is an awesome route that is slightly more mileage, but a more gradual last gain to the summit. Hikers begin at the same location but bear right at the junction heading towards Missouri Mountain. Hikers will reach a sign that points towards Elkhead Pass 3.8 miles in. Hikers reach the top of Elkhead Pass 4.6 miles in, and then bear left towards the summit of Mount Belford, reaching it 5.4 miles in.

 

Mount Belford Via Elkhead Pass & Mount Belford Trail Loop – 9.5 Miles – 4,703 Feet Elevation Gain

This route simply combines the above routes into a great loop. This is our recommended path for hitting Belford, or both Belford and Oxford.

 

Mount Belford, & Oxford Combined

For more information on combining both peaks, read here.

 

Mount Belford, Oxford & Missouri Combined

For more information on hiking all three peaks, read here

 

Trail Map

 

Hiking Mount Belford In Winter

As with any 14er, this hike is significantly more dangerous in winter. These summits are doable in winter months via the same route.

 

Camping For Mount Belford

There is no camping allowed at the trailhead for Mount Belford, Oxford & Missouri, however all along the road leading to the trailhead, there are various dispersed campsites that are first come first serve, free, and require no reservations.

The dispersed backcountry sites are also available at various points along the hike, most of which at the junction between the three summits. More information can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/cs/generalinfo

 

Current Weather Conditions:

Here is the detailed weather forecast for the next few days. We highly recommend you check out the mountain forecast for this peak the morning of your hike.

Twin Lakes, CO

This Afternoon
Snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. West southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.

Tonight
Snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday
Snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 24. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Saturday Night
Snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. West northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday
A chance of snow showers before noon, then snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 26. West northwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night
A chance of snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. West wind 10 to 30 mph.

 

Directions & Parking

The trailhead is accessible to all types of vehicles. The road leading to Missouri Gulch Trailhead is dirt, but two wheel drive vehicles won’t have issues.

 

Additional Pictures