Missouri Mountain

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 6/21/2024, By: brighthtonhiker
Info: Trail was clear all the way to the junction with Belford. Encountered multiple snow fields in the basin area. Some challenges finding the route across the snow fields but not too bad. Snow was easy to walk across in the early morning, but we post-holed a few times on our way back down. Brought micro-spikes with us but didnt use them. Still some snow on the trail right before reaching the ridge and easy enough to get through/over/around. Glissaded the snow at the ridge on our way back down. Approx 100. Some snow still on the ridge but we didnt have to traverse the snow to reach the peak. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 6/14/2024, By: samfarmer789
Info: Still lots of snow crossings that are unavoidable. Lost the trail a few times but glissaded down off the ridge which was fun. Keep in the middle of the valley, dont try and gain the ridge too early! Used my spikes almost the whole time but melting fast. Prob will be mostly clear in two weeks. If attempting the triple, I would definitely do Bel/Ox first and then take elkhead pass bc youll already be in the back of the valley. I did it the other way and had to turn back bc of weather. 

Route: North Face Couloirs
Posted On: 5/25/2024, By: gingers101
Info: Snow continuous from 10,800 feet. Cold snow in the north face couloirs. Kinda wind punchy 

Route: West Ridge
Posted On: 12/31/2023, By: randallson
Info: We parked at Missouri Gulch trailhead. We could have driven further but was worried about finding a place to pack and turn around. It was a quick boot to Rockdale. The two river crossings were frozen solid. We broke trail along progressively deeper snow from the river crossings to the gate at the end of the road. We then ran into another climber that descended Missouri west ridge. It was relatively simple route finding above the lake to treeline with a few spots of mixed snow and rock. We kept snowshoes on until reaching the ridge crest near 12,900', but they probably could be dropped a bit sooner than that. The west ridge was free of any appreciable snow. It was mixed snow and rock along the northwest ridge. The drop down section just below the summit had a fair amount of snow. Since there were already footsteps from previous climbers, microspikes and axe was sufficient but crampons would have felt more secure. On the return, we stayed more ridge proper and found that to be easier. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 12/31/2023, By: Anima
Info: Someone already posted a conditions report for Missouri's west ridge, I'd just like to add that a variation to the standard Northwest Ridge is still possible and avalanche safe. (I would NOT go this way after the next significant loading event.) About 3/4 of a mile from the Belford split off, leave the standard summer trail and head west up a steep and obvious wind scoured rib. There were old tracks up this way, so other people have been using it. Follow the ridge south to the standard Northwest ridge trail and take it to the summit. We stayed ridge direct. From the summit, we went over to Iowa and dropped around to Elkhead pass before climbing Belford and Oxford. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 11/8/2023, By: beervendor
Info: Missouri Gulch kicked my ass so I only made it to the Missouri-Belford junction and can't speak to summit conditions. The trail to that point (almost 12k) was well packed up to the log bridge stream crossing. I'd highly recommend spikes and/or poles but not strictly necessary to that point. After leaving the trees, I was occasionally breaking thru drifts of 1-2ft. Lots of route-guessing thru the snow so be careful whose tracks you follow and watch your GPS. A beautiful fall day on an incredible piece of Colorado but not meant to be my first winter(ish) summit. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/23/2023, By: bschultes
Info: Some light ice on the trail up to the ridge, then some snow/ice on the ridge. Microspikes were helpful, but probably not required. avoid the cornices starting to form on the east side of the ridge. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/14/2023, By: daway8
Info: Quick sidenote: Jason from Kansas - it was great meeting you and sharing some distinctive summit traditions! Forgot to exchange contact info - feel free to pm me on this site if you want to hook up next time you're out this way! Wet feet guy (sorry, forgot to write down your name) - sorry I couldn't offer more than hand warmers and some advice - hope you ended the day without too much angst. Route beta: trailhead was totally dry but soon saw dustings of snow and gradually more. Stream crossings in the early morning were sometimes treacherous due to major ice. Snow very inconsistent, sometimes just a dusting, then a few inches then dry then 4-5 inches then dry again. At 13,500ft suddenly got knee deep then the ridge was at times blown dry out other times a few inches deep. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/9/2023, By: bengeier
Info: Started encountering snow around 12,000 feet. I was very glad to have my microspikes for the hike from the junction with Elkhead Pass to Point 13,784. Snow on this portion was anywhere from an inch to a foot deep. It was frozen and icy on my way up and slushy on my way down. The summit ridge had snow on it, but it would be manageable without spikes. I also hiked down the West Ridge to climb Iowa and Emerald Peaks. The saddle between Missouri Mountain and Iowa Peak had some snow that could be avoided. Spikes were not necessary here, but provided some peace of mind. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 9/30/2023, By: Troyister
Info: No snow or ice to contend with. Aspen are brilliant yellow now. Parking Lot was full at 5:25 AM when I arrived. Road is washboard here and there but any vehicle can get to the Missouri Gulch Trailhead as of today with no issues. Wind on the ridge was strong and cold. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 9/25/2023, By: raphaelroxas
Info: Very little frozen snow/ice on the summit ridge (50 ft of trail just after gaining the ridge), did not use microspikes but did use poles. Otherwise route is completely clear/summer trail conditions. Photo is of the summit ridge at the exposed section just before the summit, no snow/ice there. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 9/25/2023, By: loriburroughs81
Info: Trail was very nice, only a little bit of snow on the ridge right when you start hiking on the back side. Thought I brought them, I did not use spikes, but recommend if you need a little more traction. Definitely use poles for balance. Wind gusts were 45mph and possibly above on just the ridge to the summit. Recommend checking weather for wind when considering this route. Thought I saw the gusts were predicted, I still went for it. Pretty easy route excluding the wind. The Class 2 move is not too bad, but there is a lot of loose dirt/rock so advise to be careful when dropping down. Had 2 pups with me that did this flawlessly. Safe hiking everyone! 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 9/11/2023, By: dweis
Info: This was a good hike, typical 14er through trees, then meadows, couple easy creak crossings. I was surprised though there were several 20+ yards of what I would call class 3 due to exposure on traverses that slanted downhill by 20-30 degrees covered in loose gravel. I did not have good traction and was really sweating these sections since a slip would result in a considerable downhill tumble. Bring proper footwear with good lugs and/or yaktrax. Also, I believe this route is closer to 11 miles long. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 9/11/2023, By: joannalee07
Info: Absolutely loved this hike! Plenty of access to water on the route still. Full trip report here: https://www.coloradomountainpack.com/post/missouri-mountain 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 8/13/2023, By: sean23
Info: Trail in full summer conditions. No snow, and the creeks are low enough to cross easily. Routefinding is mostly straightforward through the talus field. Just make sure to traverse rather than switchback