Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Standard route · Northwest Ridge
Overview
Mount Belford is a big, rounded peak in the Collegiate Peaks, climbed from Missouri Gulch on one of the steepest well-built trails in the Sawatch. The trail is clear the whole way. It is short at 8 miles round trip, but it packs in 4,500 feet of gain, most of it on a relentless set of switchbacks up the northwest ridge.
There is no real scrambling. The challenge is the steep grade, loose gravel on the switchbacks, and the altitude. It suits fit hikers who want a solid Class 2 day. Many people add Mount Oxford to the east, which adds several hours and forces a climb back over Belford on the return.
Plan on 6 to 9 hours for Belford alone. You are above treeline for about half the day, and storms often build over Missouri Gulch by early afternoon.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 a.m. The steep ridge takes longer than people expect, and you are exposed from about 11,300 feet up.
Turnaround
If you are not near the top of the long switchbacks at 13,800 feet by 10:30 a.m., turn back. If you plan to add Oxford, be on Belford's summit by 9:30 a.m. or skip it.
Crux
The long switchbacks up the northwest ridge, 2,300 feet of steady climbing on a sometimes loose trail. Coming down them on gravel is harder on the knees than going up.
Route-finding
Easy. The key spot is the junction at 11,600 feet, where you turn left for Belford. Near 13,800 feet the trail moves right toward a point, then turns left at a flat spot near 13,900 feet.
Water
Clear Creek at the trailhead and the Missouri Gulch stream up to the log crossing near 10,800 feet. A small stream crosses the trail near the base of the ridge. Nothing on the ridge. Filter all of it.
Standard 2WD dirt parking lot located directly off Chaffee County Road 390.
Terrain
Tight, brutally steep dirt switchbacks opening into a massive alpine valley and barren ridges.
You start with an immediate, lung-burning climb up dozens of tight dirt switchbacks hidden in a dark, steep forest. After gaining 1,000 feet of rapid elevation, you break out into a massive, stunning mountain valley cradled by three separate 14ers. Turning left for Belford pits you against a relentlessly steep, crumbling dirt and scree trail that snakes straight up the mountain's face. Once on Belford, looking toward Oxford reveals a massive, barren ridge resembling a giant dirt moonscape. You simply hike down a wide rock saddle and march right up a straightforward, rocky path to tag Oxford.
Chaffee County Road 390 leaves U.S. 24 between Buena Vista and Leadville. Coming from Buena Vista, go roughly 14.5 miles north on the highway and turn left. Coming from Leadville, go roughly 20 miles south and turn right. County Road 390 is a graded dirt road that most cars can handle.
About 7.5 miles along County Road 390 you will see the Missouri Gulch trailhead sign. Make a left and drop into the big lot, which has restrooms. The lot is busy on summer weekends. The route enters the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, so wilderness rules apply for group size, camping and dogs.
Trail in the treesTundraRidgeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Missouri Gulch trailhead 9,650' · 0 mi
From the parking area, follow the Missouri Gulch trail. Cross Clear Creek on a bridge and walk into the forest.
2
Bottom of the switchbacks 9,800' · 0.3 mi
After a little over a quarter mile, the trail starts up a long series of steep switchbacks through pine and aspen.
3
Top of the switchbacks 10,400' · 1 mi
Near 10,400 feet the switchbacks end. The trail heads south up Missouri Gulch with the stream nearby on your left.
4
Log crossing 10,800' · 1.4 mi
Near 10,800 feet, turn left and cross the stream to its east side on a rough log bridge. Then turn right and head south through a small open area.
Watch for: The logs can be wet and slick. Take your time.
5
Old cabin ruins 11,100' · 1.7 mi
Back in the trees, you pass the remains of an old log cabin. It is a good landmark that you are on route.
6
Treeline 11,300' · 1.9 mi
The trail leaves the forest near 11,300 feet. Missouri Gulch opens up ahead, and the long northwest ridge of Belford rises to the left.
Watch for: You are now exposed to storms.
7
Belford trail junction 11,600' · 2.3 mi
At a trail junction near 11,600 feet, the Missouri Gulch trail continues right toward Elkhead Pass. Turn left onto the Mount Belford trail and head southeast toward the base of the ridge.
Watch for: Do not continue straight toward Elkhead Pass.
8
Stream at the base of the ridge 11,800' · 2.45 mi
Cross a small stream as you reach the foot of the ridge. This is the last water.
9
Rocky lower ridge 12,200' · 2.7 mi
The trail climbs through a rocky section, then settles into tight switchbacks. The ridge is steep, grassy and rocky, and the trail is well built.
Belford from the north, above Missouri Gulch · Photo: Simpsora
10
Middle of the switchbacks 13,000' · 3.2 mi
Keep grinding up the switchbacks. The view back down into Missouri Gulch grows with every turn. The trail surface is dirt and small gravel.
Watch for: Loose gravel. Do not cut switchbacks.
11
Trail bends right 13,800' · 3.7 mi
Near 13,800 feet the switchbacks end and the trail angles right toward a prominent point on the ridge.
12
Flat spot 13,900' · 3.8 mi
Reach a flat area near 13,900 feet. Turn left and head east toward the summit.
Watch for: Remember this turn on the way down.
13
Easier ground 14,100' · 3.95 mi
Near 14,100 feet the slope eases and you can see the rocky summit block ahead.
14
Summit of Mount Belford 14,202' · 4 mi
Walk up to the small, rocky top. Mount Oxford is to the east, Missouri Mountain across the gulch to the west, and Mount Harvard to the south.
Landmarks to know
Bridge over Clear Creek at the start.
Steep forest switchbacks ending near 10,400 feet.
Log bridge across the Missouri Gulch stream near 10,800 feet.
Ruins of an old cabin just below treeline.
Trail junction at 11,600 feet: left for Belford, right for Elkhead Pass.
Small stream crossing at the foot of the northwest ridge.
Flat spot near 13,900 feet where the trail turns east to the summit.
Getting down
Go back the way you came. From the summit, walk west to the flat spot near 13,900 feet and look for the trail dropping to the right (north) onto the switchbacks. Some people miss this turn in clouds and wander onto steeper ground.
The switchbacks are steep and covered in small gravel, and slips are common. Stay on the trail and do not cut corners, which causes erosion and loose rock. At the bottom, turn right at the 11,600-foot junction to head down the gulch. Remember to cross the log bridge back to the west side near 10,800 feet before the final switchbacks to the car.
If things go wrong
The only practical way down is the way you came up. The fastest route to shelter is down the switchbacks to the gulch floor and then to treeline near 11,300 feet. If a storm builds while you are on the ridge, go down at once; the ridge is a lightning target. If you went on toward Oxford and weather turns, remember you must climb back over Belford to get out, so turn back early. If someone is hurt, keep them warm and get word out. Missouri Gulch is busy in summer, so other hikers may be able to help. Call 911 if you have signal.
3D flyover
Press play to fly the Northwest Ridge. The graph shows elevation along the way and how much you gain each mile. Open full screen.
For planning only. The line is traced from open map data, not walked in the field, and off-trail parts are drawn straight. Load it in your GPS app to see the route, but navigate with your eyes, a map and the route description.
See the trail on video
A climb of this route filmed by The Virtual sherpa. The video belongs to them and only plays when you press play. This video covers Belford and Oxford together.
Jump to
Other routes
All 5 routes up Mount Belford, with the class and round-trip distance for each.
Expect talus, scree and stretches where the trail disappears. Ankles and weather cause most of the trouble here. Start early, keep an eye on the sky, and set a turnaround time before you leave the car.
