Missouri Mountain (Northwest Ridge)

Missouri Mountain is the shapely fourteener at the head of Missouri Gulch, the third of the three peaks that share the trailhead with Belford and Oxford and the one with a summit ridge that feels like a mountain rather than a slope. The Northwest Ridge route is Class 2 with one short exposed traverse below the top, and it makes a full day of 10.5 miles and 4,500 feet on its own.

From the Missouri Gulch trailhead, cross the footbridge over Clear Creek and climb the switchbacks, about 1,300 feet in the first 1.5 miles, to a collapsed log cabin near treeline. The trail follows the creek into the open gulch. At the junction near 11,600 feet, where the Belford trail goes right, stay left toward Elkhead Pass.

Around 12,600 feet, below the pass, the Missouri trail leaves to the right and switchbacks west up the headwall to a notch on the northwest ridge near 13,700 feet. Turn south and follow the ridge. Most of it is a walk, but a few hundred feet below the summit the trail leaves the crest and crosses a short, loose ledge on the west face before climbing back to the ridge; it is only a few moves, and it is the spot people remember. The summit is a small, airy point at 14,067 feet with Belford and Oxford across the gulch and the Three Apostles to the south. Return the same way.

From US 24 at Clear Creek Reservoir, between Leadville and Buena Vista, turn west on Chaffee County Road 390 and drive 7.5 miles of graded gravel to the Missouri Gulch trailhead at 9,650 feet. Passenger cars manage it in dry weather. The lot holds about 30 vehicles, fills by 6 AM on summer weekends, and overflows along the road. No fee or permit for day use; there is a vault toilet.

Dogs are allowed on leash in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, but the ledge below the summit is a bad place for a dog on a leash and most owners stop at the notch. This is not a kid hike. Carry three liters; the creek in the gulch is the last water. Microspikes through early July, poles for the descent, and a wind shell for the ridge. Combining Missouri with Belford by way of Elkhead Pass is possible for strong parties but makes a 14-mile day with more than 6,000 feet of gain. Dispersed camping lines County Road 390; Leadville and Buena Vista are each about 25 minutes away. The Missouri Mountain peak page has the camping and planning detail, and the Sawatch region page lists the neighbors.