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Hi all,
I'm wondering what the camping situation is near the trailhead for Bel/Ox. I'd like to camp as close to the TH as possible. I remember there being camping right when you turn onto 390 from 24 but I'd rather not drive that road in the morning, just wake up eat and hike. I think when I climbed Missouri I threw my tent over the side of the fence but not sure if that's cool per regs.

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff_F wrote:Hi all,
I'm wondering what the camping situation is near the trailhead for Bel/Ox. I'd like to camp as close to the TH as possible. I remember there being camping right when you turn onto 390 from 24 but I'd rather not drive that road in the morning, just wake up eat and hike. I think when I climbed Missouri I threw my tent over the side of the fence but not sure if that's cool per regs.

Thanks,
Jeff

Don't camp at the trailhead. There are signs explicitly saying that. However, the road in from 24, which is about a 7 mile drive to the TH, has so many campsites scattered along it. They fill up very fast on Friday afternoons, however. You can even drive past the TH, all the way to Winfield if necessary, to find camping. You should be able to find a spot somewhere no matter what day of the week it is.

I would just continue past the TH for Missouri Gulch and head on up to Winfield. Great camping spots, some old, historic buildings from the old town, and Clear Creek is a good source of good water. Every time we have camped there we have seen plenty of wildlife....deer, elk, foxes, squirrels and tons of birds, especially hummingbirds. There are already fire rings and I've never seen more than maybe 10 other camps set up when we've been there in June and July, and it's a large camp area. It's a simple drive back to Missouri Gulch TH, you won't regret staying at Winfield.

Thanks for the info.

I guess I've forgotten Winfield was so close by. That old town is great and found great camping, like when I did Huron. Cheers guys. Enjoy your travels this weekend.

Not to hijack, but I figured it's better than a new thread. Is there camping UP the Belford route that would allow for reduced mileage when actually doing the combo climb? When looking down from Missouri, that entire valley looked pretty barren and maybe too exposed to camp in storm season. Are there any spots lower in the trees that might knock off a couple miles or more?

I think it is possible to camp near an old shack (not too far from treeline, as I recall)... but there were rats in that area last year, trying to get into our packs (we stopped near the shack for a break). There's probably are a couple of other spots as well. Once you get into the willows camping is impossible. Honestly, I don't think it's worth hauling up the gear, unless you plan to hit all 3 peaks via an overnight high camp.

I camped up there many years ago. I recall the basin being very nice for camping. I don't remember the willows being an issue.

We camped up in the willows about a decade ago. It was OK, but you won't be able to hang your food. There's also a single campsite on the trail a mile or so before the cabin, but most of the way the mountainside is very steep. A hammock might work well along that trail.