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 · Via Mount Belford
Overview
Mount Oxford has no easy route of its own. The standard way up is to climb Mount Belford first, then walk east along a connecting ridge, down to a saddle and up Oxford's broad slope. That means two fourteeners in one day, 5,900 feet of total gain, and a climb back up Belford on the way home. There is no other trail or shortcut back to the Missouri Gulch trailhead.
The walking is all Class 2 on a mostly clear trail, and nothing on the route is hard in a technical sense. What makes it serious is length, effort and exposure to weather. From Belford's summit to Oxford and back is about 3 miles and nearly 1,500 feet of extra climbing, all above 13,500 feet with no shelter. Plan on 9 to 12 hours for the full day.
This suits strong hikers who have already done a few fourteeners and know how they handle a long day at altitude. Decide on Belford's summit whether you have the time, the weather and the legs for the extra 3 miles. If any of those is in doubt, skip Oxford.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 4:30 to 5 a.m. You need to be on Belford around 9 a.m. to have time for the round trip to Oxford before storms.
Turnaround
Only leave Belford's summit for Oxford if it is before 10 a.m. and the sky is clear. If you are not on Oxford by 11:30 a.m., turn back; you still have to climb 700 feet back up Belford.
Crux
Climbing back up Belford's east ridge from the saddle, tired and at 13,500 feet, often as clouds build.
Route-finding
The trail is easy to follow on both peaks. Just below Belford's summit, a trail heads south toward Elkhead Pass; do not take it by mistake. Turn left down the east ridge toward the saddle instead.
Water
Missouri Gulch creek runs beside the lower trail up to about tree line. Filter or treat it. There is no water on Belford or the ridge to Oxford, so carry at least 3 to 4 liters from below tree line.
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.
Take US 24 to Chaffee County Road 390. From Leadville it is about 20 miles south, turn right. From Buena Vista it is about 14.5 miles north, turn left. Follow the wide dirt 390 road roughly 7.5 miles until you see the Missouri Gulch trailhead sign. Make a left there and drop into the big parking lot.
The 390 road is dirt but usually fine for passenger cars; it can be washboarded. There are restrooms at the trailhead. The route enters the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, so wilderness rules on group size, camping and dogs apply.
Trail in the treesTundraRidgeTalus and screeExposed 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
The trail leaves the south end of the lot and crosses Clear Creek on a bridge. It then starts climbing right away through thick forest on steep switchbacks.
2
Missouri Gulch creek crossing 10,400' · 0.9 mi
After the first set of switchbacks the trail crosses the creek in Missouri Gulch and keeps climbing along its side.
3
Old cabin ruins 11,300' · 1.7 mi
The trees open up near the remains of an old log cabin. The gulch widens and you can see Belford's steep northwest ridge ahead on the left.
Watch for: Last good water is along the creek near here.
4
Belford trail junction 11,650' · 2.3 mi
Past tree line, the trail meets a junction. Turn left onto the trail that climbs Belford's northwest ridge. The main trail continues up the gulch toward Elkhead Pass.
Watch for: Turn left here for Belford.
5
Northwest ridge switchbacks 12,800' · 3 mi
The trail climbs the ridge in many tight switchbacks on dirt and small rock. It is steep and steady.
Watch for: Do not cut switchbacks; it causes erosion and loose rock.
6
Upper ridge 13,700' · 3.6 mi
The switchbacks end and the trail heads up the rocky upper ridge. Belford's reddish summit rocks are just above.
7
Mount Belford summit 14,197' · 4 mi
The top of Belford. Oxford is the broad peak about 1.5 miles east, and you can see most of the ridge between them. Decide here whether to go on.
Watch for: This is your main decision point. Weather and time must both be good.
8
Leave Belford to the southeast 14,050' · 4.25 mi
Go down from the summit to the southeast on a trail. After about a quarter mile, while still above 14,000 feet, turn left onto the east ridge. Another trail keeps going south toward Elkhead Pass.
Watch for: Do not follow the trail south to Elkhead Pass.
9
East ridge descent 13,800' · 4.6 mi
Walk down the east ridge on a path that winds through rocks and small boulders. The saddle is visible below.
10
Belford–Oxford saddle 13,500' · 4.9 mi
A broad, grassy saddle. This is the low point between the two peaks. Remember you will need to climb back up the ridge behind you.
Watch for: No shelter here in a storm.
Mount Oxford from the saddle side · Photo: jokermanj
11
Oxford's southwest ridge 13,800' · 5.2 mi
Climb Oxford's gentle ridge on a clear trail. The grade is easy and the footing is mostly good.
12
Final pitch 14,050' · 5.4 mi
Near 14,000 feet the summit comes back into view. Stay on the trail up a short steeper pitch, then walk across rocky ground.
13
Mount Oxford summit 14,158' · 5.5 mi
A broad, rocky summit. Look back west to see the ridge and Belford you still have to climb.
Keep left to stay on Mount Oxford - Mount Belford Trail
Here Mount Belford - Elkhead Pass Trail goes off straight ahead. Keep left to follow Mount Oxford - Mount Belford Trail.
Coming down: Keep going straight on Mount Oxford - Mount Belford Trail. Don’t take Mount Belford - Elkhead Pass Trail.
Landmarks to know
Bridge over Clear Creek at the start, then steep forest switchbacks.
Old cabin ruins in Missouri Gulch near 11,300 feet.
Belford junction above tree line: turn left up the northwest ridge.
Switchbacks up the northwest ridge to Belford's rocky summit.
Left turn onto the east ridge a quarter mile southeast of Belford's top.
Grassy saddle at 13,500 feet.
Gentle ridge and a short final pitch to Oxford's summit.
Getting down
Return the same way. From Oxford, go back down to the saddle and climb the east ridge to the trail just below Belford's summit. You do not need to go back to the very top of Belford; the trail meets the route near the summit. Then descend Belford's northwest ridge back into Missouri Gulch.
The northwest ridge switchbacks are steep and gravelly, and tired legs slip easily here. Take your time. At the bottom, turn right at the junction and follow the trail down the gulch past the cabin ruins and through the forest to the bridge and the lot.
If things go wrong
There is no good escape between Oxford and Belford. Every way back to the trailhead goes over or around Belford. If weather turns while you are on Oxford or the saddle, head back toward Belford right away and get down the northwest ridge. Do not try to drop off the ridge into unknown gullies. If someone is hurt, get them to the saddle or a sheltered spot out of the wind, keep them warm, and send someone for help. The trail below Belford is often busy, so other hikers can carry a message. Call 911 if you have a signal.
3D flyover
Press play to fly the Via Mount Belford. 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 2 routes up Mount Oxford, 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.
