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A beautiful trail through forest and alpine tundra in the shadow of Missouri Mountain.


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Map Key

7.3

Miles

11.8

KM

Point to Point

13,158' 4,011 m

High

9,650' 2,941 m

Low

3,508' 1,069 m

Up

1,612' 491 m

Down

13%

Avg Grade (8°)

77%

Max Grade (38°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

The Missouri Gulch Trail begins at a large parking area south of Clear Creek Road (Chaffee County Road 390) across the road from the old town of Vicksburg. This trail ends at its junction with the Pine Creek Trail. The first 3.5 miles are strenuous, with an elevation gain of 3,500 feet. The final 3.3 miles has an elevation loss of 1,670 feet.

After crossing a bridge near the trailhead, the trail quickly reaches steep switchbacks through dense pine forests. At around 10,750 you reach the first of two creek crossings. Once reaching 11,000, the trail passes an old cabin with level ground, a good place to take a break. Continuing on, you reach treeline at around 11,300 and a trail junction to Mt. Belford on the left. Stay to the right as you head into Missouri Gulch.

Near 13,000, you reach a second trail junction, this one heading left to Elkhead Pass or right to Missouri Mountain. Stay to the left and continue on to Elkhorn Pass. Elkhorn Pass is a saddle between Missouri Mountain and Mt Belford. The view back into Missouri Gulch from here is fantastic. Once over Elkhorn Pass you begin the decent heading south.

Hike south along the eastern side of Emerald Peak. The trail eventually turns east and drops below treeline before ending at the Pine Creek Trail junction.

Contacts

Shared By:

Mike Langenkamp

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 6 votes

#3

in Twin Lakes

#10167

Overall
  4.2 from 6 votes
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2 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#3

in Twin Lakes

#848

in Colorado

#10,167

Overall
9 Views Last Month
4,303 Since Mar 12, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Camp during a BelOxMis weekend.
Apr 3, 2015 near Buena V…, CO
Shack up at 10,800 ft.
Apr 3, 2015 near Leadvil…, CO
Junction. From the trail to the south, turn left for Mt. Belford, right for Mt. Missouri.
Apr 3, 2015 near Buena V…, CO
Had my GoPro perched on a rock just before sunset, looking north / northeast at the western base of Mt Belford.
Jun 5, 2016 near Buena V…, CO
Missouri Mountain from Missouri Gulch
Feb 26, 2015 near Buena V…, CO

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