Mount Oxford and Mount Belford Hike

Craving a challenge? If so, then the Mount Oxford and Mount Belford Hike is the perfect experience for you. Colorado’s alpine terrain is just waiting to be explored, so what are you waiting for? Traveling to such high elevations provides awe-inspiring views, but it also warrants extreme weather conditions—be sure to check the forecast prior to your climb! Additionally, when trekking in the late fall and winter months, crampons and trekking poles are a must!

Once you are acclimated to the area’s altitude and you are all packed up, begin your adventure along the Mount Oxford and Mount Belford Hike from the Missouri Gulch Trailhead. From here, head south along the Missouri Gulch Trail. Hike this path past several dispersed campsites, and you will eventually encounter an intersection. Here, keep left and begin your vertiginous climb up Mount Oxford via Belford Trail. After a never-ending set of technical switchbacks, you will meet the summit of Mount Belford. Revel in the scenery then track northeast along the same route over to Mount Oxford.

Enjoy the views from the summit of Mount Oxford, and rest and rehydrate, then retrace your footing along the saddle back to Mount Belford. From here, take the Mount Belford-Elkhead Pass Trail southwest. At the next junction, veer right and hike along the Missouri Gulch Trail. Hike this route north, all the way back to the trailhead.