Near MOB Mission: Missouri-Oxford-Belford
Camp during a BelOxMis weekend.
Near MOB Mission: Missouri-Oxford-Belford
Junction. From the trail to the south, turn left for Mt. Belford, right for Mt. Missouri.
Near MOB Mission: Missouri-Oxford-Belford
Shack up at 10,800 ft.
Near MOB Mission: Missouri-Oxford-Belford
A look at the switchbacks on Mt. Belford's northwest ridge.
Near MOB Mission: Missouri-Oxford-Belford
View of the Sawatch Range from Mt. Belford's summit.

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MOB Mission: Missouri-Oxford-Belford

5.0 (1 Rating)
If you've got the fitness, this is a fantastic way to snag three 14ers in a day!
14.6
mi
Distance
7,382
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
ViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
14.55mi
Distance
7,382ft
Elevation Gain
7,382ft
Elevation Loss
70%
Max Grade
14,172ft
High Point
9,644ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Doing this loop counterclockwise means you hike to Missouri (14,067 feet) first, so you get in a lot of miles quickly before heading to the other two which are closer together. After summiting Missouri (which is a great spot to watch the sunrise) then you'll backtrack a ways until you feel confident cutting across to where the next two peaks are. There is a more difficult trail that cuts across near the ridge, or you can drop lower into the valley, keeping the terrain simpler but making the elevation gain and loss a bit more. Once you cut across, Oxford is it's own out-and-back over relatively easy hiking with meadows and some Class 2 rocky sections. The Oxford summit is at 14,153 feet and once you reach it, congratulate yourself on a job well done for your second 14er summit of the day, replenish your body with food and water, and turn back to the saddle, retracing your footsteps until you reach the ridge where Belford resides. Hike along the ridge to Belford (14,197 feet), marveling at the spacious views around you. To your left, you can look way out and see Missouri Mountain, where you started that morning. It looks so far away! Find your way to the summit and all the people. After enjoying your surroundings, begin the long haul back to the car. It starts with plenty of switchbacks among the wildflowers and after dropping into the basin, you'll see where you had split from the trail early that morning. Continue down through the boulder fields, meadows, and eventually forest. You might rejoice when you reach your rig! But congratulate yourself on an awesome adventure.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Ashley Peterson