Missouri Mountain Northwest Ridge

The route begins and ends at Missouri Gulch Trailhead (9,680') and reaches the summit of Missouri Mountain (14,067'). From the trailhead, cross the bridge over Clear Creek and climb a series of switchbacks through forest. Continue up Missouri Gulch to a saddle at about 13,700', then turn left onto Missouri's northwest ridge. Follow the ridge to the summit, gaining the final stretch on Class 2+ terrain; one section near the top requires a short downclimb that gives some hikers pause, though it isn't technical. Descend the same route. Total distance runs about 10.5 miles round trip, with roughly 4,500 vertical feet of gain. Afternoon thunderstorms build fast over this stretch of the Sawatch, and there's no cover above treeline on any of the three summits — start well before dawn for the MOB traverse specifically, since the exposed time above treeline runs many hours.