Start down the Missouri Gulch Trail, cross the bridge over Clear Creek and continue into the forest. Hike over 1/4 mile and climb a bunch of switchbacks through the steep forest. Leave the switchbacks at 10,400' and continue south along Missouri Gulch creek. At 10,800', turn left and locate a log bridge where the trail crosses the creek -
1. Continue through bushes, turn right follow the excellent trail through an avalanche path clearing (
2) to reach the remnants of an old shack, near 11,200' -
3. Exit the forest and continue into Missouri Gulch on the excellent trail -
4. At 11,600', stay right at the Mt. Belford trail junction (
5) and continue south (
6) for another 1.5 miles to reach the Missouri Mountain trail junction, near 12,600' -
7. Stay left and walk another 3/4 mile to reach Elkhead Pass -
8,
9 and
10.
Belford's summit is over 1 mile away from the pass. Turn left to find a less-used trail heading east -
11. Follow this trail (
12) for over 0.3 mile before it begins to swing left (north) -
13. Continue toward the ridge, south of Belford's summit -
14, and
15. When you reach the ridge crest, at 14,100', intersect the standard trail between Belford and Oxford -
16. Turn left and walk over to Belford's summit -
17 and
18.
