5/17/2023 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 5/17/2023, By: Logan5280 Info: Climbed with AlessiaAscent on 5/16. We drove in on 5/15 and camped near the first river crossing. The road up to Nellie Creek trailhead is open and dry for approximately 2 miles. We stopped at the first creek crossing (2ish miles below summer trailhead) because water levels were pretty high and we didn't want to risk driving through. The road is drivable for 0.5-1 mile after the creek crossing, but quickly becomes covered in deep snow and a couple of fallen trees. The creek crossings were a little tricky on foot due to icy logs in the morning. We also missed a switchback in the road in the dark, which led to some issues getting back on the route. Flotation is necessary starting a short distance below the summer trailhead. Once out of the woods, it's mostly choose your own adventure to the SE face. We opted to follow the drainage at the start, which was a little sketchy in the afternoon because the creek seemed barely frozen. SE face might be doable with good step-kicking, but it's made way easier with crampons. From there, the west couloir is mostly dry. Summit plateau is mostly dry except for a couple low-angle snowfields. The snow warmed up significantly on the way down, with a few weird wet whoomfs once we got out of avalanche terrain. There was some post-holing with snowshoes at the bottom of the snowfield, but nothing terrible. However, we were glad to get out of steep terrain early because wet slide potential seemed high. Currently skiable from the top of the SE face to just below the summer trailhead. We got a nice pinch flat on a rocky section of the road on the way out, and hobbled into Gunnison on a donut. Excellent trip to the SJ's overall though! |
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4/30/2023 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 4/30/2023, By: 14ercooper Info: The road is blocked by snowdrifts probably no more than half a mile above the 2WD parking, so expect a long day. Continuous snow began about a mile and a half or two miles before the upper trailhead (which is still buried in snow). A lot of snow coverage along most of the upper route - I definitely appreciated having a mountain axe and some traction. Snow was pretty solid before sunrise, and started to get soft around 10am (near the 2WD parking at the base of the 4WD road). Didn't need snowshoes, but would have been nice if I had gotten a later start. |
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10/30/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 10/31/2022, By: Will_E Info: Uncompahgre was great yesterday, sunny, warm and not much wind. I started at the bottom of Nellie Creek Rd, there are tracks a few miles up, but nobody ventured past the first creek crossing by vehicle. Continuous snow started after the 2nd creek crossing, it only got deep in a few places above treeline, I didn't use snowshoes. I mostly followed the summer route, it wasn't hard to make out the path. I take a shortcut just after flipping to the back side of the mountain rather than follow the standard, helped to avoid at least 1 snow slope on the back side. |
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10/16/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 10/17/2022, By: winter_wisher Info: Not much snow on the trail until the around the 13,400 mark, after which crusted snow is packed into roughly 50% of the trail's length leading up to the ridge. It was easy to avoid, and traction wasn't necessary. No snow at all in the scramble / crux, and only a little bit after that on the final ascent. Snow drifts remain in the shelters at the summit, but the summit itself wasn't snowy. |
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10/8/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 10/10/2022, By: L_Macalister Info: Very nice trail from the trailhead up to the trail split with Matterhorn Creek. 2-4 inches of snow on the trail from there on but it didn't slow us down much. I used traction but my hiking partner was fine without his. Not much snow in the class 2/3 section above 13,500. A few inches on the summit with the shelters full of drifts. Had a wonderful sunny, windless summit though. A great day in the San Juans! |
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10/2/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 10/3/2022, By: Strugglr Info: Muddy drive up to the 4WD trailhead. Snow on the ground after 11k. Snow covering the trail the entire way. An inch or so and very muddy at the beginning and 3-12 inches, depending on the drifting once above 12-13k. Amazing views with the bright yellow aspens against the snowy peaks. |
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9/26/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 9/26/2022, By: random-dude Info: Just phenomenal conditions on this route. The trail is in great shape we had surprisingly warm weather and utterly calm conditions at the summit. We took option #2 at the tower and it was in pretty good shape. The leaves coming down and all around Lake City are prime right now. |
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9/24/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 9/24/2022, By: cotezi Info: Summer conditions and leaves are poppin. Get it while it's good. |
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9/19/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 9/21/2022, By: JasonCrane Info: inZane & I summited Uncompahgre on Monday for his #58 final 14er. We made the decision to park at the base of Nellie Creek Rd, which added 4 miles each way. After seeing the condition of Nellie Creek Rd, we were happy with the decision despite extra mileage & gain. From the upper 4WD TH, the trail is in great condition, dry & easy to follow. Overall, a very smooth day on the mountain, no issues, decent weather & stunning views. 15.8 miles RT, 5000 vert gain in 8 hrs 50 min (Garmin Fenix 6x.) |
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9/18/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 9/19/2022, By: dustinbarrett Info: Wonderful conditions on the trail. Crisp sunny day, though quite windy starting at the upper slopes. Starting to see a little bit of frost and frozen water in the trickles as the temps drop this fall. The road to the TH is a bit spicy but we were able to make it all the way up in a stock Nissan Rogue. Not quite as bad as the road up to Matterhorn Creek Trailhead and lots of spots to stop and park if you want. If you have a vehicle with good tires and decent clearance it should be passable. |
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9/2/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 9/2/2022, By: mtgoatmike Info: Hiked this combo-ing Wetterhorn, summited Unc first from Matterhorn Creek. Went up the section before the tower, very minimal loose rock up to the ridge. |
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8/27/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 8/28/2022, By: pbrehm Info: Started at Nellie's trailhead. We drove up with a stock 4runner and only had trouble with one switchback. The trail itself was a little muddy. It had rained the night before so everything was a little wet. But this made everything super green and alive. There were loads of mushrooms. Once we got up to the saddle we crossed into the shade. We passed the first tower and the class 2 rocks were frosted and pretty slippery. But nothing too dangerous. The peak was similarly frosted from the previous nights rain. Overall the trail and the peak were in good condition. Minimal braiding and erosion. =) |
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8/27/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 8/28/2022, By: dr_j Info: Trail in excellent condition, and CFI is out there doing surveys. Aside from a fair amount of mud on the trail, and a Sasquatch running around, smooth going. The first turnoff up the scrambly section seems to be the way to go. Also a light dusting of snow made for some slick surfaces towards the top. |
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8/22/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 8/22/2022, By: BikeWarlock Info: Trail was in great condition, and was a beautiful morning. Took option 2 to gain the summit because the other option looked loose and slippery. Reached the summit at 7:50am and had great views with sparse clouds. The road up to Nellie Creek trailhead is a little worse for wear after the rains the last few days, and some of the steep switchbacks are washed out and hard to get a good approach angle with a longer wheelbase. Still made it all the way to the top in my Ranger, though I did use low range 4WD for the top section to get through those switchbacks and creek crossings. Also, I found a pair of prescription glasses at the top. If they are yours, let me know and I'll do my best to get them back to you! |
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8/15/2022 Route: South Ridge Posted On: 8/15/2022, By: MTBMTN Info: Trail is in perfect condition. Hike is very gradual until the final pitch. Agree with previous reports - take option two, even though it is steeper the rock feels stable. Great day and beautiful views! FYI: Took a stock Jeep Grand Cherokee and made it up the road, but it wasn't fun. Road and creek crossings were okay only because it hasn't rained in the last week. After doing it, probably wouldn't take that car up again, it was really rough. (We punctured a tire!!) |
