Missouri Mountain Trip Report 09/28/2016

Peak(s):	Missouri Mountain - 14,071 feet
Date Posted:	09/28/2016
Date Climbed:	08/27/2016
Author:	Caradhras

Good Times in Missouri Gulch
We were watching the weather all week, and hearing reports of winter like conditions in the mountains with snow, rain, and cold all over the place. The reports from the National Weather Service even said that there would be possible snow over the weekend right when we were hoping to be climbing Missouri Mountain. I love the weather link here on 14ers.com as each peak can have its own weather system going, and as I was checking it on Friday morning before we left it looked like there might be a window open if we got lucky. So we decided that we would give it a go, being ready to bail if the weather turned bad, and I am so glad that we did, because with lots of prayers we ended up with a miracle and the weather was perfect the entire time we were up on the trail which included an overnight stay at the cabin area just below treeline...details as follows. After checking the weather one more time we left Frederick (Longmont) at 2:30 Friday afternoon. We being Myself, Zach, Ryan, Jared, and Jeremy. Besides a backup from one accident, and a slight detour due to a missed exit we were at the Missouri Gulch parking a little before 6:00 PM. We had passed several camping spots along 390 which would have been perfect, there were already a few people camping along the road, but I was surprised by how few people we ran into along the way. I think the weather might have been a deterrent this weekend, there were only 6-7 cars in the parking lot when we got there on Friday evening. The weather looked great, but we didn't want to push our luck, so we didn't spend much time at the parking lot and got on the trail just before 6:00 PM. The switchbacks up from the parking lot are just as steep as I remember from a few years ago when climbing Belford/Oxford. We arrived at the Cabin around 7:00 and found a few tents scattered about, but open right around the cabin. Camping here is a trade off in that you have to carry in camping equipment for nearly two miles and 1600 feet of elevation gain...but by the same token you wake up in the morning with nearly two miles and 1600 feet behind you already. Having done this trail both ways (hiking from the bottom and now having camped) I preferred camping, but that might be personal preference too, because I love backpacking anyway. If you are going to camp just know that the ground is quite rocky, and you are hard pressed to find a level spot, but the area is beautiful and really there is a bit of room. If the cabin area is full there are more spots further up the trail, just be mindful of the spots that are closed for restoration. There are even nice spots above treeline that are flat and close to the stream, but a bit exposed if there are adverse conditions. Camping at the Cabin After a night of tossing and turning a bit we were up around 5:00 am and on the trail close to 6:00 am. It was light enough to see the trail at that point so no headlamps needed. A few more people had setup camp over night which I didn't hear at all, so I must have slept more than it felt. In no time at all we were above tree line and headed into the basin. The fork for Belford is clear other than it does not say anything about Missouri Mountain, and only mentions Belford to the left and Elkhead pass to the right. Sticking to the right you cross the stream several times before getting to the next fork with Elkhead pass to the left and Missouri Mountain to the right. Last crossing before the fork Zach and I at the fork The basin is a great walk, not too steep and beautiful all along the way. After the fork things get a bit steeper as you cross back and forth below the ridge. Some of the footing was slick due to mud, but still no need for hands on the rocks if care is taken. After the fork headed to the ridge Toward the ridge Zach and Jared This area is the hardest part of this hike with the steep slope and occasional mud. But still not too bad, just a lot of sucking wind as the altitude increases. Jeremy was already on the summit by the time we reached the ridge, we decided he was part mountain goat. Jared on the ridge Zach on the Ridge The ridge is just a lot of fun. The views are wonderful, and it is a nice long ridge that is relatively level all the way to the summit. We did run into a bit of snow right after reaching the saddle, which made it a little interesting, but with care it was easy to cross, I think we only had one slip and fall on a slick rock. The rest of the ridge was clear of snow, and the crux was dry and easy to drop down and across without any issue. I could see this area being a bit sketchy if there was snow and ice, but when it is dry it is not a problem. Back up to the ridge From the crux it is a five minute walk to the summit, which was clear and dry. We had the summit to ourselves for a little while. I think most people camping were over on Belford and Oxford. But we did run into some nice folks along the way...hikers really are the nicest people around. The views from Missouri are great, with Ice mountain and Huron off to the west, Harvard and Columbia to the south, Belford/Oxford to the East and La plata just to the north. On the Summit Just to prove I made it too Jared and Zach on top Back along the Ridge, La Plata Heading back down was pretty quick, and within an hour and a half we were back at the camp and packing up. Then it was about another hour back to the cars in the parking lot. The lot was packed full now and spilling out into the road. I guess word got out that the weather was perfect, and folks were piling in. The switch backs toward the bottom were probably the worst part, especially with the added pack weight, but I still think it is worth it to camp on the trail. The best part was spending quality time with good friends enjoying some of God's creations, overall a great time. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Good Times in Missouri Gulch

We were watching the weather all week, and hearing reports of winter like conditions in the mountains with snow, rain, and cold all over the place. The reports from the National Weather Service even said that there would be possible snow over the weekend right when we were hoping to be climbing Missouri Mountain. I love the weather link here on 14ers.com as each peak can have its own weather system going, and as I was checking it on Friday morning before we left it looked like there might be a window open if we got lucky. So we decided that we would give it a go, being ready to bail if the weather turned bad, and I am so glad that we did, because with lots of prayers we ended up with a miracle and the weather was perfect the entire time we were up on the trail which included an overnight stay at the cabin area just below treeline...details as follows.

After checking the weather one more time we left Frederick (Longmont) at 2:30 Friday afternoon. We being Myself, Zach, Ryan, Jared, and Jeremy. Besides a backup from one accident, and a slight detour due to a missed exit we were at the Missouri Gulch parking a little before 6:00 PM. We had passed several camping spots along 390 which would have been perfect, there were already a few people camping along the road, but I was surprised by how few people we ran into along the way. I think the weather might have been a deterrent this weekend, there were only 6-7 cars in the parking lot when we got there on Friday evening.

The weather looked great, but we didn't want to push our luck, so we didn't spend much time at the parking lot and got on the trail just before 6:00 PM. The switchbacks up from the parking lot are just as steep as I remember from a few years ago when climbing Belford/Oxford. We arrived at the Cabin around 7:00 and found a few tents scattered about, but open right around the cabin. Camping here is a trade off in that you have to carry in camping equipment for nearly two miles and 1600 feet of elevation gain...but by the same token you wake up in the morning with nearly two miles and 1600 feet behind you already. Having done this trail both ways (hiking from the bottom and now having camped) I preferred camping, but that might be personal preference too, because I love backpacking anyway. If you are going to camp just know that the ground is quite rocky, and you are hard pressed to find a level spot, but the area is beautiful and really there is a bit of room. If the cabin area is full there are more spots further up the trail, just be mindful of the spots that are closed for restoration. There are even nice spots above treeline that are flat and close to the stream, but a bit exposed if there are adverse conditions.

After a night of tossing and turning a bit we were up around 5:00 am and on the trail close to 6:00 am. It was light enough to see the trail at that point so no headlamps needed. A few more people had setup camp over night which I didn't hear at all, so I must have slept more than it felt. In no time at all we were above tree line and headed into the basin. The fork for Belford is clear other than it does not say anything about Missouri Mountain, and only mentions Belford to the left and Elkhead pass to the right. Sticking to the right you cross the stream several times before getting to the next fork with Elkhead pass to the left and Missouri Mountain to the right.

The basin is a great walk, not too steep and beautiful all along the way. After the fork things get a bit steeper as you cross back and forth below the ridge. Some of the footing was slick due to mud, but still no need for hands on the rocks if care is taken.

This area is the hardest part of this hike with the steep slope and occasional mud. But still not too bad, just a lot of sucking wind as the altitude increases. Jeremy was already on the summit by the time we reached the ridge, we decided he was part mountain goat.

The ridge is just a lot of fun. The views are wonderful, and it is a nice long ridge that is relatively level all the way to the summit. We did run into a bit of snow right after reaching the saddle, which made it a little interesting, but with care it was easy to cross, I think we only had one slip and fall on a slick rock. The rest of the ridge was clear of snow, and the crux was dry and easy to drop down and across without any issue. I could see this area being a bit sketchy if there was snow and ice, but when it is dry it is not a problem.

From the crux it is a five minute walk to the summit, which was clear and dry. We had the summit to ourselves for a little while. I think most people camping were over on Belford and Oxford. But we did run into some nice folks along the way...hikers really are the nicest people around. The views from Missouri are great, with Ice mountain and Huron off to the west, Harvard and Columbia to the south, Belford/Oxford to the East and La plata just to the north.

Heading back down was pretty quick, and within an hour and a half we were back at the camp and packing up. Then it was about another hour back to the cars in the parking lot. The lot was packed full now and spilling out into the road. I guess word got out that the weather was perfect, and folks were piling in. The switch backs toward the bottom were probably the worst part, especially with the added pack weight, but I still think it is worth it to camp on the trail. The best part was spending quality time with good friends enjoying some of God's creations, overall a great time.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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