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′), Missouri Mountain (14,067′), 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′).
- Trailhead: Missouri Gulch
- Round trip: 10.5 miles / 16.9 km
- Elevation: 9,650′-14,067′ (+4,417) / 2,941m-4,288m (+1,346m)
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.
Take left at the stream crossing
Elevation Map
GPX Track
Video Tour
Trail Pictures
