TR-Climbing Missouri Mountain (14,073 feet) in December

[Scott P]

Missouri Mountain is one of the Colorado 14ers. Here is a breif trip report from our climb.

December 6: Missouri Mountain (Colorado)

After I slept at the trailhead, Jeff Goodwin and I met at the Rockdale Trailhead at 5:15 AM for our attempt on Missouri Mountain (14,073 feet elevation). We waited around until 5:30 just in case anyone else showed up since there were some more people interested in climbing it. At 5:30 we drove through the treacherous stream crossing and drove part way up the road and we found that with very careful 4wd driving we could make it to the first parking area along the road.

We broke then broke trail to Clohesy Lake (part way on snowshoes), but found it to be much easier than expected so the going was faster than we thought it would be. After taking a break at the frozen lake we headed for the mountain. The weather was on and off with brief bouts of snow and some occasional views of the snowy peaks.

The climbing up to timberline was quite steep, but we found scraps of a climbers trail that shown through the snow. Since the entire gully was full of solid ice we stayed on the north side of the gully all the way to timberline. The climb was then just a slippery climb up snowy and grassy slopes to the crux boulderfield just before Point 13,690. The steep boulderfield was a challenge since the rocks were all covered with hoar frost, but we persevered and made the summit after about six hours. There was no visibility at all from the summit and it was just cold and misty, but still interesting because of all the ice covered rocks.

On the descent the sun began to peek through and the clouds and we got some fantastic views of some of the mountains with swirling clouds around their summits. The descent was pretty challenging as well, but we made it back to the vehicle before sunset. It was a great climb.

(Photos are not in order)

[Felicia]

Was it as cold as it looks?

[Scott P]

It was cool, but wasn't that cold for December at that elevation. It was around 10F on top with a windchill of -15F, but it can be a lot worse at this time of year.

[Bo_Beck]

What a great TR! Sounds as though you had a great time. The photos are absolutely beautiful! These photos remind me of and make me reminisce about my October trip 6 years ago to Italy! I spent 3 days climbing and trekking in the Dolomites to both the west and north of Cortina D Ampezzo. Thanks for Sharing!

[Scott P]

The photos are absolutely beautiful!

Yours are nice too. I'll have to go there someday.

[CarpeyBiggs]

Awesome Scott

[Jaxx]

very cool. The hoar frost looks awesome.

[Felicia]

It was cool, but wasn't that cold for December at that elevation. It was around 10F on top with a windchill of -15F, but it can be a lot worse at this time of year.

Interesting - I've never given much thought to adventuring in the snow. Your pictures are beautiful and make the actively worth pursuing even if it is cold. I have snow shoes; maybe I will try them this winter. Thanks for the motivation.