The 14,074-foot (4,290 m) fourteener is located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness of San Isabel National Forest. Missouri Mountain is separated from its eastern neighbor Mount Belford by Elkhead Pass (13,220 feet).
- 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
GPS track
Trek up Missouri Mountain
Pictures
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Missouri Gulch trail
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Heading up the valley
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First look at Missouri Mountain
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Looking back at Missouri Gulch
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Missouri Mountain
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Heading up the scree to the ridge
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Cresting the ridge - Ice Mountain (13,957') on the left, North Apostle (13,860') next to it, and Huron Peak (14,009') in the middle.
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Lone mountain goat
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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
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Missouri Mountain ridge with La Plata Peak (14,336') in the middle distance.
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Views near the summit - Huron Peak in the middle (14,003')
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Missouri Mountain summit view
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Crux of the route near the summit
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Mountain goat still there on the way back
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Looks like he is posing
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Showers moving in
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Heading down
