Harvard to Oxford, Belford, and Missouri
Harvard to Oxford, Belford, and Missouri PDF
Harvard to Oxford, Belford, and Missouri Profile
Harvard to Oxford, Belford, and Missouri Profile

From the summit of Mt. Harvard, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the massive monsters you still have to summit while peering over to the north. The Sawatch 14ers found along Chaffee County 390 present a formidable challenge. Only one thing separates you from them: Pine Creek!

Nolan’s 14 Line Stats

  • 7.55mi
  • +5139′
  • -5460′

Nolan’s 14 Line

From the summit of Mt. Harvard, descend directly off of Harvard’s Northwest Ridge. The terrain below treeline is very difficult with downtrees and cliffs. Try to pick up a use trail that travels northeast through the forest that starts underneath a cliff that’s marked with a large cairn. If you can’t find this trail, head straight towards the creek, and walk the southern side until you can find a reasonable place to cross. Avoid Bedrock Falls by crossing Pine Creek to the east or far to the west.

Once across the creek, you’ll also cross the Pine Creek Trail. Continue traveling north up an avalanche gully to the summit of Mt. Oxford (38.94762,-106.33572).

Once on Oxford, follow the well-beaten trail to Belford, crossing a trail that goes towards Elkhead Pass. Once at Belford, double back again to the trail junction, and descend the other trail down to Elkhead Pass (38.95821,-106.35783).

From Elkhead Pass, keep descending south, then traverse west to the saddle of Iowa Peak and Missouri Mountain (38.94748,-106.36628). Resist the temptation to take Missouri’s Class 4 east ridge directly. It’s the most direct way, but the footing is incredibly loose, generally very slow-going, and difficult with a heavy pack.

Once at the Iowa Peak/Missouri Mountain saddle, hike Missouri’s South Ridge (Class 2) to its summit.

Slowlans Alternative

From the summit of Harvard, descend directly off of Harvard’s Northwest Ridge, until you reach Pine Creek. Careful with this creek crossing.

Continue north cross country until you meet up with Pine Creek Trail. Take this trail west until the trail junction with the Missouri Gulch Trail up Elkhead Pass Trail (38.93251,-106.34862). Take this trail north.

Summit Elkhead Pass. Take the trail towards the Oxford/Belford saddle east. Another trail junction will be found at this saddle – this is a good place to drop packs. Hike east to tag Mt. Oxford, which is only about a mile away. Double-back to the junction, and hike northwest to tag Mt. Belford.

Double back again to the saddle and descend once more to Elkhead Pass. Take the Missouri Gulch trail northwest, then west at a trail junction up Missouri Mountain’s standard route (38.95570,-106.37669).

Water

  • Pine Creek makes a very dependable water source (38.94664,-106.33623)
  • Water can most likely be source on the south side of Elkhead Pass, not far below the direct Nolan’s 14 line (38.93995,-106.36336).
  • Water should also be available on the north side of Elkhead Pass in Missouri Gulch, although you may have to descend the trail to hit a reliable run of the creek (38.97153,-106.37327).

Camping

Bailing/Resupply

After Harvard

Take the Pine Creek Trail east to the highway. You’ll pass the Colorado Trail, and then enter into private property. The landowners ask for a small fee to enter their land from the highway side (around $1). It’s a very long hike out at around 9 miles.

After Oxford

Take the trail down to Elkhead Pass, then the trail south down Missouri Gulch, until you reach the trailhead at Chaffee County 390. Hitch out east to the highway.

After Belford

Take the standard route north down Mt. Belford and join the trail north down Missouri Gulch, until you reach the trailhead at Chaffee County 390. Hitch out east to the highway.

After Missouri

Take the standard route north down Mt. Missouri and join the trail north down Missouri Gulch, until you reach the trailhead at Chaffee County 390. Hitch out east to the highway.

Skipping

Skip Oxford by hiking up and Over Elkhead Pass from Pine Creek. Belford, and Missouri can be summited or skipped here as well.

If you want to skip Oxford, Belford, and Missouri, you can continue down the Missouri Gulch Trail to the Missouri Gulch Trailhead to Chaffee County 390, the hike the road west to the standard trail for Mount Huron. Just to the north of the Missouri Gulch Trailhead is the Sheep Gulch Trailhead, which goes up Hope Pass, and would allow you to skip Missouri and La Plata, rejoining the route on HW 82.

Another option to skip Missouri is to descend down south from Elkhead Pass, and traverse west to the Iowa/Emerald saddle, as you would when following the Nolan’s 14 line. You’re less than a thousand feet below Missouri’s summit here. Instead of summiting Missouri, continue west and pickup the Missouri Mountain Clohesy Lake Trail to Clohesy Lake.

Next: Missouri Mountain to Huron Peak