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This is my first trip report. I hope it is helpful to you!
First, I loved Missouri Mountain. It has both steep and flat sections, a river next to most of the route, and an interesting ridge section up to the summit.
Now, I'll share our group's journey up the mountain and some information that will add to what's already available.
GROUP: Justin & Justine, Mark (who we met on the trail), & me (Andrew)
ROUTE: Standard - Northwest Ridge from Missouri Gulch
TIMING: 7:30am start, 12:45pm summit, & 5:00pm back at car
Friday, September 19
We camped about 1/2 a mile East of the trailhead at a pull off on the South side of 390. We took a Jeep, but this road is definitely 2WD (as is described). Of course, there are washboards and potholes to be mindful of.
Clear Creek was close to our camp, but getting to it involved navigating down a steep bank. We brought a few gallons of water in the car, which was a great choice. Filtering water would have been more troublesome than I anticipated.
After dinner, we climbed into our tents and heard cars driving up and down 390 until about midnight. I fell asleep quickly, but they kept some people up.
Saturday, September 20
We all woke up to road noise at 5:30am. I popped 2 Ibuprofen with breakfast, and we slowly packed up camp, leaving later than we had hoped. After a stop at the trailhead's bathroom, our group hit the trail at 7:30am.
the trailhead
The hike begins with a few steps down onto a bridge which crosses Clear Creek.
Clear Creek bridge
I always try to choose a landmark or two that will help me know when I'm near to the trailhead again at the end of a long day. This white-picket fenced gravesite was that landmark for me. The plaque reveals that a 1 month old baby, William Huffman, was buried here in 1884. He was the son of a miner and died of pneumonia. I tell you what, I was looking for that grave the whole way down on this trip. We cheered when we finally saw it again.
gravesite
After switchback upon switchback, we came to a flat area with aspen groves and a carpet of aspen leaves. I've never hiked a 14er like this in the fall, and I couldn't get over how beautiful it all was. The camera couldn't do the colors justice. In short, I'm hooked on 14ers in September.
beautiful fall colors
Next, we had the river crossing. The route description is clear, but we were confused about the trail at this point. There are campsites around that make it look like the trail continues on where it actually doesn't. We (along with a few others) thought that we weren't supposed to cross the river yet. That was wrong; just cross the logs and the trail will be clear.
crossing at 10,800'
Then, we found the cabin, our signal that treeline was fast approaching.
log cabin structure
As we came up to treeline, we could clearly see Belford, but it was hard to tell where Missouri's summit was. The bump to our right looked tallest, but the summit of Missouri was actually back deep in the gulch. Justin and I placed a bet on where the summit would be. We're poor grad students, so there was no money on it. Instead, the winner would earn the title "Sergeant Navigator." Let's just say that Justin was referred to as "private" after we summited while I held the loftier title :-)
seeing Belford
We arrived at the Belford/Elkhead Pass trail junction, and we were happy to turn right, away from the crowds slogging up Belford. Also, we met Mark. Mark was in need of hiking buddies, and he was aiming for Missouri too. Mark, Justin, Justine, and I had lunch together and then continued the hike.
The Elkhead Pass/Missouri Mountain trail junction came quickly enough. I counted 3 short uphill sections and a lot of flat ground in-between the two junctions. That section of hiking through Missouri Gulch was beautiful. I loved having Belford to our left and Missouri Mountain way out in front of us. I felt like I got to see more terrain on this hike than I do on many other 14ers.
Elkhead Pass/Missouri Mtn. Junction
From the 2nd junction, I was ready for the hike up the ridge to be long, and it was. Gaining the ridge seems to drag on on forever, and then all of a sudden you're there. From the 2nd junction to the ridge was my least favorite part of the hike. Much of the trail is really well made (thanks CFI!!!), but it's not very pretty hiking. Basically, it's rocky steps with loose dirt on them.
route continues up the slope to the right
After one long run up the face, there's a quick switchback to the right and the ridge is just in front of you.
the final switchback before gaining the ridge
I stepped onto the ridge hoping that the final 3/4mi would be mainly flat; it was not so. I should have known from looking up earlier. There is one final bump to gain (pictured with the summit off to the left) before the hiking gets easier.
the next obstacle once the ridge is gained
It's a little hard to see all of what's there, but this picture shows the whole ridge when looking back from the summit.
looking back on the whole ridge
A few parties warned us that the final descent before the summit was tricky. The route description is accurate, but I liked a class III variation better. The class II down climb and traverse is hard packed dirt with pebbles on top of it. At this point (pictured below) you have the option of going down and to the right (as the route description says) or staying left and atop the ridge. We thought it was easier to stay left for the crux.
we chose to do class 3 to the left
Here's what I see as the pros/cons to each choice: Go LEFT (stay on the ridge for the drop):
-Class III
-Brief exposure (not pictured) over two sections: One section is an easy step with a large fall behind you. The second section is a 10' down climb to get back to the usual trail.
-Generally more stable rock
-More fun
Go RIGHT (follow the 14ers.com route description for the drop):
-Class II
-Less exposure, but still potential to roll down
-Poor footing making for an easy slip
Make your own choice, but I most certainly preferred the class III option.
After that area, the hike up to the summit was no problem. It's a little slippery still, so I was glad to have my trekking poles along.
looking back at the final section of class 2 before the summit
We topped out at 12:45pm. Woohoo! This was number 13 for me, and it was Justine's first fourteener.
Justin, Justine, & me fourteener #13 for me!
14,067 feet the summit marker
We left the summit around 1:15pm. The clouds were continuing to build up around us. We took the class III scramble back over the crux. The way down was uneventful other than running out of water when we got back to treeline. I had a Sawyer filter with me, but we decided to just keep going. We took it easy and were back to the car around 5:00pm.
LESSONS LEARNED:
-Familiarity with the route description is crucial: I had trouble recognizing the first river crossing, because I had forgotten that there was one in trees. Also, our group could not correctly recognize the summit from a distance, because we were not familiar enough with the route description and map.
-Trekking Poles are very helpful: especially on hard-packed and steep class II.
-Yes, an emergency kit is necessary: I didn't use it, but I felt ready for situations like when we ran out of water. I also carry an emergency bivy, an ankle wrap, bandaids, duct tape, Benadryl, Tylenol, antibiotic ointment, molefoam, zip ties, a spare shoe lace, a pen, and paper.
-Sleeping at elevation is helpful: I rarely camp near the trailhead the night before a 14er. I felt much better with the elevation during our hike after sleeping up that high on Friday night.
-Timing: Planning on about 1 hour for every mile I'm hiking is a good rule of thumb with a group. It's about my pace when I include breaks and everything in the hike. This hike was 10.5 miles, and it took our team 9.5 hours.
Thanks for reading!
-Andrew
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I love Missouri Gulch and the Elkhead Pass area. Haven't gotten Missouri yet but I think I may plan on doing it in the fall after seeing the great pics.
Nice little report here - I really enjoyed your pictures of the fall colors. There are tons of Aspens in that area - especially over towards Hope Pass. Thanks for sharing your day with us!
huffy13 - Yes, do plan on it. I loved all the aspens in the area. I probably should have put more of the pretty pictures in the TR. This is just a small taste of what you'll see up there!
bdloftin77 - Like I said, I loved this area and this hike. I thought the terrain was much more interesting than some others I've done.
ameristrat - Thank you! I've been wanting to do a trip report, but this felt like the first time I had very much to report. You're right, the place is covered in aspens. I only put up pictures having to do with the trail, but I'll do more fall colors next time
MtnHub - Good job, again. I'm glad you like it too!
jay-dub - Dad, thanks for the comment. Maybe we'll get up there together sometime!
Makes a lot more sense now that I've enjoyed Missouri for myself!...
(Although I don't remember the infant gravesite.)
Oxford (thus Belford too) is on my list for this summer, trying to finish Sawatch 14ers and start other ranges as well!
This encourages me to start writing Trip Reports.
Seeya on the trails; can't wait for our next one together
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