Mt Belford (14,197) by Brian Schultz Tuesday October 2, 2001
The morning started out eerily similar to my first time on Belford four years ago- it was raining and cold. Discouraged to think we might not even get out of the gate, I left Leadville in steady rain wondering if Dave and his girlfriend Lysah would even show up- they were supposed to be driving in from Denver. However, as I neared Vicksburg the skies were clearing in the west and by the time I parked, it quit raining. The only other vehicle in the lot wasn't Dave's but fifteen minutes later they pulled in and informed me they also spent the night in Leadville. With the weather looking better by the minute, we got our packs ready and began at 7:22.
Dave would be hiking his fourth fourteener but Lysah hadn't done any climbing at all in Colorado. I was a little worried about her handling this but she'd climbed some in California and assured us she didn't care if she made the summit or not, she just wanted to hike. We crossed Clear Creek and engaged the trail's steep switchbacks. Lysah told us to push ahead while she worked to get her own rhythm going, so Dave and I set a comfortable pace, stopping now and then for her to catch up. We told her where to turn off the main trail to ascend Belford's shoulder in case we got too far in front. Dave and I slowed down a bit after breaking out of the trees and waited a few minutes at the sign marking the turn. She caught up to us and we proceeded again.
The steep hiking up the shoulder was tedious but at least we didn't have the ferocious winds like I had last time. Dave was starting to feel weary from the elevation gain. While back in the woods he mentioned climbing Oxford also and I suggested he go for it- but that was then and he didn't seem as enthused as we pushed up the relentless shoulder. This was definitely not an easy stroll like his first fourteener Grays.
As we climbed higher the views began expanding across the basin to Missouri Mountain as well as behind us. The impressive scenery made the relentless grind easier, at least for me it did.We were no longer alone on the trail as I noticed somebody below coming out of the woods. The fellow and his dog were moving quickly up the trail and in short order passed Lysah and then us. As we sat for a break somewhere around 13,000 feet, Dave decided to wait for Lysah while I continued on. When I gained a couple hundred feet above them, I yelled down I was going for the summit.
It was getting colder and the winds were picking up but it was a gloriously sunny day and I was eager to get my first October fourteener. The guy in front stopped to put on warmer clothing and then charged right back up the trail- I wished I had the energy he had. I kept at it though and reached the top of the shoulder, hiked up the ridge and spotted him ahead on the summit. The last stretch was easy and I too made it at 11:00. Drew and his dog were also climbing Oxford and stayed about twenty minutes. Dave and Lysah joined us at 11:15. They were both thrilled to make the summit but tired after gaining almost 4,600 feet elevation. Belford is a cakewalk compared to the effort on a peak like South Maroon with the same gain but I didn't spoil their excitement by mentioning that.
We stayed until 11:55. I suggested we descend into Missouri Gulch to save our knees and the vote was unanimous. The west slopes of Belford had much scree but we enjoyed boot skiing down it, then descended a steep rock and grass slope before hooking up with the Elkhead Pass trail. The scenic trail through the grassy basin was a joy and well worth the added half mile before meeting up with the main trail again. If I climb Belford again I'll take this route up as well.
The remaining hike out was a bit slower but I knew better than to push it too hard with my blistered heels. Dave and Lysah could've raced down the trail but let me set the pace- even in my considerable pain, we made it back to the trailhead at 2:40. I had a great time on the hike today as did they. My third and final trip to Colorado in 2001 set a personal record for the most mountains climbed in a year.
Trailhead to summit- 3 hours 38 minutes
Summit to trailhead- 2 hours 45 minutes
Total time- 7 hours 18 minutes (including all breaks)