Missouri Mountain (14,067′), Sawatch Range
Missouri Mountain lies deep in Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains and is part of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. With eight “14ers” (peaks exceeding 14,000′ in elevation), the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness has the highest average elevation of any Wilderness Area except in Alaska.
The other Collegiate 14ers include Huron Peak (14,003′), Mt. Columbia (14,073′), Mt. Oxford (14,153′ ), Mt Yale (14,196′), Mt Belford (14,197′), La Plata Peak (14,336′), and Mt Harvard (14,420′).
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: Missouri Gulch
- Round trip: 10.5 miles / 16.9 km
- Elevation: 9,650′- 14,067′ / 2,941 m – 4,288 m
- County: Chaffee
- Agency: U.S. Forest Service
- Nat’l Forest: San Isabel
- Nat’l Wilderness: Collegiate Peaks
Weather
GPS Route with Elevation
Trail Pictures
From left – Mt Columbia (14,073′) over the ridge, Mt Yale (14,196′) middle front, Mt Princeton (14,197′) further back just left of Mt Yale, Mt Antero in the distance, Mt Shavano and Tabeguache Peak towards the right
From left – Mt Columbia (14,073′) over the ridge, Mt Yale (14,196′) middle front, Mt Princeton (14,197′) further back just left of Mt Yale, Mt Antero in the distance, Mt Shavano and Tabeguache Peak towards the right
After a hard climb into the gulch, easier hiking for a while
After a hard climb into the gulch, easier hiking for a while
Wrong turn at the creek lead to a boulderfield…ooops
Wrong turn at the creek lead to a boulderfield…ooops
Video Tour
Trail Directions
The first 3.5 miles is strenuous, with an elevation gain of 3,740 feet. The next 3.3 miles has an elevation loss of 1,670 feet. Follow the Missouri Gulch Trail into upper Missouri Gulch (approx. 2.5 miles). As the trail ascends to 12,600 feet, it turns abruptly east to climb up to Elkhead Pass.
A cairn marks the turn off here for the ascent of Missouri Mountain. Turn west and climb the grassy slopes and a loose talus slope toward the low point on Missouri’s northwest ridge. From the ridge, hike southeast to Missouri’s summit.
Trailhead Directions