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.
Alternate route · West Ridge
Overview
This route climbs Missouri Mountain from the west, starting at Rockdale on Clear Creek. It follows a 4WD road and then a trail into the basin west of Missouri. From there it climbs a grassy slope to the west ridge and follows the ridge to meet the standard route near the summit. It is Class 2, with a short steep stretch of talus and one brief harder step near the top.
It suits hikers who are comfortable on talus and some off-trail slopes. The approach starts with two stream fords that can be dangerous in early summer. The trail is confusing low down and fades above 12,200 feet. Once on the ridge, the way is clear.
From the lower parking at Rockdale, the round trip is about 11.75 miles with roughly 4,250 feet of gain. Plan on 8 to 10 hours car to car. With a capable 4WD, you can drive about 3 miles closer and save a lot of time.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 a.m. from Rockdale, or by 6 a.m. from the upper 4WD parking.
Turnaround
If you are not on the west ridge crest by 10 a.m., or clouds are building, turn around. The ridge is long and exposed.
Crux
The steep 200-foot talus section on the west ridge between about 13,500 and 13,700 feet. Close to the top, a short, tougher Class 2 step takes the trail down about 20 feet on the ridge's right side.
Route-finding
Moderate. Near 11,100 feet, go straight through a confusing junction and away from Clohesy Lake. At 11,400 feet, turn sharply left up the stream. Above 12,200 feet the trail fades and you choose your own line to the ridge.
Water
Clear Creek, the Lake Fork and the stream below Missouri's west basin have water. There is none on the ridge. Carry 2 to 3 liters above the basin and filter anything you collect.
Chaffee County Road 390 leaves U.S. 24 20 miles south of Leadville, where you make a right. Coming from Buena Vista instead, go left onto it after heading north on U.S. 24 for 14.5 miles. Follow 390 for roughly 9.6 miles; just after some cabins, go left on Forest Road 381. Go 0.1 mile down past the cabins toward Clear Creek to a turnaround circle. Park here unless you have a short, high-clearance 4WD.
Past the circle, the road goes through shallow water and then crosses two streams: first Clear Creek, then the Lake Fork. Driving these fords is not advised until after July, when water drops. After the crossings, it is 2.6 miles to a big parking area at 10,880 feet, and another 0.3 mile to a gate near 11,040 feet. Hikers must ford both streams on foot. In early summer the water is cold, fast and can be dangerous.
RoadTrail in the treesTundraRidgeScramblingExposed 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
Rockdale parking and stream crossings 9,850' · 0 mi
Start at the turnaround circle. Cross Clear Creek, then the Lake Fork. Then follow the road up the valley.
Watch for: Fast water in early summer can knock you down. Unbuckle your pack and use poles.
2
4WD parking area 10,880' · 2.7 mi
After roughly 2.6 miles up the road, you come to a big open space where people camp and park 4WD vehicles.
3
Gate 11,040' · 3 mi
Continue 0.3 mile to a gate near 11,040 feet. This is the upper trailhead.
4
Start of the Missouri trail 11,050' · 3.1 mi
Go past the gate. About 0.1 mile on, the road begins to descend toward Clohesy Lake. Here, in the open, the Missouri trail branches off on the left, going up a small hill.
5
Confusing junction 11,100' · 3.2 mi
Climb through trees, go over a small hill, and stay left. At a confusing junction near 11,100 feet, keep going straight and angle up away from the lake.
Watch for: If you find yourself on a flat trail along the lake shore, you are off route. Go back and climb east from the lake.
6
Shortcut junction 11,200' · 3.35 mi
At about 11,200 feet, a newer shortcut branches uphill to the left. The views are slightly better on the old trail. Either works. Keep on the old trail; it rises gradually into the forest.
Watch for: The shortcut is handy on the way down.
7
Stream from the west basin 11,400' · 3.6 mi
Make a sharp left at the stream draining west from the basin beneath Missouri. Climb steeply beside the stream.
Watch for: Fill water here.
8
Shortcut rejoins 11,600' · 3.8 mi
You may need to climb over a few fallen trees. Around 11,600 feet, the shortcut and the main trail merge again. Go past treeline and follow the drainage up into the basin. Ahead of you is Missouri's summit, with Iowa Peak off to the right.
9
Trail fades 12,200' · 4.3 mi
Follow the trail up to about 12,200 feet, where it fades out. Choose a line and climb northeast up the broad grassy slope.
Watch for: Note your line so you can find the trail again on the way down.
10
West ridge crest 12,900' · 4.8 mi
Continue up the grass until you gain the west ridge crest. Pick up a faint trail and follow the ridge northeast.
Watch for: You are fully exposed to weather from here.
11
Steep talus section 13,600' · 5.2 mi
At about 13,400 feet the ridge gets steeper, and you scramble up onto the first rock pile. The hardest part is 200 feet of talus between roughly 13,500 and 13,700 feet. Climb steeply on the left side, then angle right to reach the crest at its top.
Watch for: Loose rock. Keep your group close together.
12
Join the standard trail 13,850' · 5.4 mi
Another 150 feet or so of easier ground brings you to the northwest end of the summit ridge, where you join the standard Missouri Gulch trail. Follow the clear trail along the ridge. The summit is now in view.
13
Short drop on the summit ridge 13,950' · 5.7 mi
More than halfway along the ridge, the trail avoids some rough rock by dropping about 20 feet on the right side. This brief step is a bit harder Class 2.
Watch for: Use your hands and take care on the loose footing.
14
Summit of Missouri Mountain 14,071' · 5.9 mi
Past the drop, the trail leads you to the summit.
Watch for: Do not follow the standard trail down. It goes to a different trailhead.
Getting down
Go back the way you came. Retrace the summit ridge and the short drop. At the ridge's northwest end, turn off the standard trail and descend the west ridge. Take care on the steep talus. Leave the ridge and drop southwest down the grassy slope to find the trail near 12,200 feet. Follow it down the drainage. Many people take the shortcut trail at 11,600 feet on the way down. Back at the road, walk down past the gate and parking areas and ford the two streams again. Streams often run higher in the afternoon.
If things go wrong
The fastest way off is back down the west ridge and the grassy slope into the basin. The slope is broad and open, so you can drop off the ridge in several places above the basin. If you are near the summit ridge, the standard trail down Missouri Gulch is well used but leads to a different trailhead far from your car. In an emergency, call 911 if you have signal.
Other routes
Every way up Missouri Mountain we list, with its class.
This describes the route in its usual season. Distances and elevations are close estimates for planning. Snow, ice, rockfall, a washed-out road or an afternoon storm can make it a very different climb. Check recent conditions the week you go and turn around when the day tells you to.
