Mount Belford - Mount Oxford

Mount Belford - Mount Oxford

A day hike to the summit of 14,196-foot Mount Belford, with an additional side trip to 14,153-foot Mount Oxford. The Mount Belford trail splits away from the Elkhead Pass route about midway up Missouri Gulch, then descends to rejoin that trail at Elkhead Pass. Hikers bound for the summit are advised to hike all the way to Elkhead Pass before starting upward, as the summit is much easier to attain from this direction even though this routing looks longer on the map. More aggressive peak-baggers can hike the spur trail to the summit of Mount Oxford from a shoulder near the top of Mount Belford. Mount Belford has the better mountain views, while Mount Oxford looks out over a vast sweep of basins to the east. There is no surface water along either of these routes, so carry an adequate supply and don’t plan on camping in the high country. As with all exposed trails, start your trip early in the morning to escape from the alpine zone before the afternoon thundershowers hit.

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