Advice for Bel-Ox-Mizzou Combo

[LukeMazza20]

I'm attempting Belford, Oxford, and Missouri in the same day this upcoming weekend. I was wondering what's the most optimal way to complete them all this way. I heard that Missouri -> Elk Head Pass -> Belford -> Oxford was the best way to do the combo. Thoughts?

[justiner]

My suggestion is to always do Missouri first, as it is the hardest one, and not where you wanna get stuck on if the weather turns.

Then, going down Missouri's south ridge into Missouri Basin, then going back up via Elkhead Pass from the south is shorter than retracing your steps on Missouri's standard route and joining the trail up to Elkhead Pass from the north.

[JJEII]

I sort of did it like that last year, except I didn't hit Belford until after Oxford because I exited over Belford, so I was going to hit it then, anyway.

I hit Missouri via the standard route then backtracked, down, across, and up again. It was very easy to follow this route, though it looks like Missouri's Class 2 South Ridge route down/over/up to Elk Head Pass would have been fine as well. (But, I have no idea how easy it is to follow.) At any rate, I'd definitely avoid the more direct East Ridge since Roach's book describes it only for ascent, stating that, "This route's Class 4 rating disguises a serious and dangerous climb," and that it's "so rotten that it is relegated to this author's nightmares," closing the section with the directive to, "Descend another route."

I was glad I carried my water filter to pump some water when I got back down the Belford switchbacks, because I needed more and was able to get away with carrying a bit less during the day. That being said, those switchbacks were steep and long, and I'm not sure how they'd be at this time of year, if you were considering that as your exit. (It may be better heading back down via Elk Head Pass?? Longer but perhaps better conditions. Not sure. I presume you've been monitoring conditions?)

[seannunn]

Can't help on the order but my advice is: be fit.
That's a long day any way you slice it.

Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO

[mtnkub]

I heard that Missouri -> Elk Head Pass -> Belford -> Oxford was the best way to do the combo. Thoughts?

Yes, kinda, but from Missouri, do NOT try to take the ridge that goes directly to Elk Head Pass. Instead, take the standard route back down to Missouri basin before making a right to go back up towards Elkhead pass.

[nyker]

Second that.... While I've seen people take that ridge direct, it's far better to just backtrack on the standard route to the junction rather than go dead reckon off the summit towards Belford or Oxford. It's a very messy slippery ridge and will likely take you more time anyway with far more danger of slipping.

[Benito_Esposti]

Can second what other's have said, start with Missouri then go down into the southeast basin via the slope about half way between Iowa and Missouri. Go down to ~12,800 then hug Missouri as you make your way around to Elkhead pass, ascend the pass, then go hit Belford and Oxford from there. Gerry Roach has a good description in his book for this route.
It's a fun one!
Just be aware the descent between Iowa and Missouri is loose and poorly marked.

[Araef]

I did this route last weekend! I did Missouri -> elk head pass -> Oxford -> Belford. It’s a brutal day, make sure you bring lots of food and water. I started the trail at 3:30am and wasn’t back to the truck until 3pm. I wish I would’ve started about a hour earlier… Lots of places to get water before and after Missouri, but once you start up elk head pass there’s no water until you’re back in the gulch. I know it’s a little more mileage, but I might recommend going back down elk head after Belford instead of taking the standard route down. It’s death by a million switchbacks and is so brutal after hiking for 12mi. Elk head is a much easier descent. Have fun, be safe!

[Trotter]

Second that.... While I've seen people take that ridge direct, it's far better to just backtrack on the standard route to the junction rather than go dead reckon off the summit towards Belford or Oxford. It's a very messy slippery ridge and will likely take you more time anyway with far more danger of slipping.

+1

I did the Missouri Bel Ox combo years ago. While coming down the Missouri standard route to regain the normal Bel Ox trail, we ran into someone who had been right behind us on Missouri, and had taken the horrible east ridge down to Elkhead pass. He told us he came very close to slipping and dying. And he maybe saved 10 minutes versus our longer path.


Also, its a long hard day. More work then doing something like Bierstadt 3 times in a day.

[osprey]

Consider doing Belford to Oxford to Elkhead Pass to Emerald to
Iowa to Missouri and descend the usual route of Missouri. Adding Emerald and Iowa is extra mileage but not too much and you get a Centennial 13er without much extra effort and saves you from having to go back if you become interested in the centennials. I did this several years ago at age 69 in 13.5 hours and did not consider it to be very difficult.

[MountainHiker]

From the Iowa - Missouri saddle to Elkhead Pass, I find it easier to drop a few hundred feet more elevation and angle for the trail. Sidehilling on the side of Missouri to save elevation I found harder than regaining a few hundred feet.

[Cereal]

Consider doing Belford to Oxford to Elkhead Pass to Emerald to
Iowa to Missouri and descend the usual route of Missouri. Adding Emerald and Iowa is extra mileage but not too much and you get a Centennial 13er without much extra effort and saves you from having to go back if you become interested in the centennials. I did this several years ago at age 69 in 13.5 hours and did not consider it to be very difficult.

I can vouch for this combo. When I did it, I actually descended the West Ridge of Missouri to Clohesy Lake, out to 390 and back to the Missouri Gulch TH, which made for a pretty enjoyable loop.