Plan with
Confidence
During the winter, the road is usually closed about 4 miles below Missouri Gulch Trailhead.
The land manager requests dogs be leashed. This is an excellent route for dogs - minimal exposure, well-maintained switchbacks, and few mountain goats to chase - so few would blame the owner who lets their dog(s) roam free (but beware of the consequences).
Path Type
Point to Point
From the Missouri Gulch Trail, pass through some willows around 11,600 ft. Come to a junction with Mt. Belford and turn left.
From here, it's a short jaunt to Mt. Belford's northwest ridge. Hit the ridge at a rocky area (cairned) before attaining an excellent trail...with many switchbacks. You'll spend the next mile on nothing but sharp switchbacks, but will encounter hardly any obstacles. Around 13,800 ft, the switchbacks angle to the left, and a false summit pops into view. Continue along a straight (refreshing) trail. Crest the false summit at 14,100 ft, upon which the summit of Mt. Belford comes into view. It's just another hundred feet and change to the small rock band that is the summit.
From here, turn back, or press on to Mt. Oxford.
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