Missouri Mountain

There was nothing Missouri about it, it was all Colorado Rocky Mountain high! The ridge hike to the summit is really cool. There's one little scary part, nothing too serious, you can do it! 11.2 miles round trip with about 4500 feet elevation gain.

Absolutely one of my favorite hikes! Get on to Chaffee County Rd 390 till you get to a parking lot Missouri Gulch trailhead! The first 3 miles are intense, major incline up into the gulch then you get to a fork in the road! Left Mt Belford -Missouri Gultch trail and to the right is just Missouri Mountain trial head, fastest way! You will cross some creeks along the way( good life straw spot if waters low!) and an open field where your completely surrounded in majestic peaks. Take a break at the sign right before the summit! The last little push is some work with some dangerous traversing, high winds and rocks falling apart. The top is the reward!

This is one of my favorite places to hike. 3 14'ers to be had all with incredible views of Missouri gulch and Elkhead pass. The Collegiate peaks cannot be beat!

It was a fun 14er with limited COVID crowds. What’s best about it is that it is great central peak to see all the other mountains in the area. It can also be combined with Oxford and Belford.

Approaching from Pine Creek was spectacular... my favorite approach so far of of 11. But, there is no South ridge trail to summit from this side as Roach has in the 3rd edition. I did a bad thing and went off trail, a lot of rocks shifted (one tumbled dangerously), and I would plan to go over Elkhead Pass and up the traditional NW ridge next time.