Matterhorn Creek Trailhead

Posted On: 10/5/2026 By: two lunches
Info: 2019 Toyota 4Runner
3" OME lift
287/70R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires

i think 3/5 is a valid rating for this trail. its quite narrow, definitely steep in spots and some careful consideration is needed in a few areas with wash-outs between large boulders. it will not save much time to drive v. walk, but if you don't want to hike the additional 500' and are a competent offroad driver, have at it. there were (5) 4Runners and (1) GMC Jimmy at the upper trailhead- no Subies this time. and Brian and i were a little horrified to watch the Jimmy pick a dumb line on the descent and throw a wheel several feet in the air.

Posted On: 9/25/2026 By: Kiefer
Info: Been a while since I've been up here but this time around, the road felt rougher than it has been in years past. Still manageable in a Subaru with careful & slow driving. Trucks and Jeeps will have no problem. Lots of water on the road from all the recent monsoonal rains. In terms of difficulty, I'd rate it a 3 out of 5; still drivable for a high-clearance 2wd vehicle, but plenty of opportunities to lose a part or attain some serious "Colorado pin-striping". Road is overall wider than Nellie Creek (for passing other vehicles).

North Fork Henson Creek
This ~3 mile out & back spur road (access for Dolly Varden, Sunshine & 13,094') is slightly rougher than Matterhorn Creek. There are three stream crossings that are VERY narrow.. Make sure your line is true when crossing. The road overall is noticeably rougher and a bit reminiscent of Tincup Pass; whole sections of nothing but large baby-head rock. Probably a 3.5/5 for difficulty. Still doable in a Subaru with good driving.

Posted On: 9/7/2026 By: aggiemountainman
Info: Unlike the previous poster, I got a flat on the 4wd section with a high clearance truck. Pretty rough section. Nellie Creek is far easier in my opinion.

Posted On: 9/6/2026 By: cole-fournier
Info: I made my stock 2023 Subaru Outback up to the upper 4wd trailhead without any damage or bottoming out.
In case anyone has a similar vehicle and was wondering if they could make it to the top, but it does take experience driving on 4wd roads.

Posted On: 8/28/2026 By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: Road is now open to the trailhead!

Posted On: 7/30/2026 By: RCBurnout11
Info: Attempted to drive to this TH today after hearing access to Wetterhorn/Uncompahgre had reopened. Road was gated off with a "do not enter" sign 1 mile below the lower (AWD) trailhead.

Posted On: 6/14/2026 By: lukedog
Info: June 12-13 Matterhorn Creek TH road was dry and without major obstacles but a little rougher than I expected. Still fine for an Outback Wilderness to the AWD TH. I wouldn't even consider taking my car to the 4WD TH.

Posted On: 6/6/2026 By: katarinaa452
Info: Road is completely dry to the upper trailhead. High-clearance 4WD is strongly recommended beyond the final 4WD sign approximately 0.7 miles below the upper trailhead. The last stretch is rough and rocky with several obstacles that require good clearance and choosing a good line. Most stock high-clearance 4WD vehicles should have no issues, but lower-clearance AWD and passenger vehicles should consider parking below the final 4WD section.

Posted On: 4/21/2026 By: wmagnuson7
Info: Road is clear to the 4WD trailhead!

Posted On: 4/5/2026 By: yaktoleft13
Info: Dry and easily drivable by any suv with clearance to 2wd th

Posted On: 9/17/2025 By: rkunish
Info: Drove my Volvo xc60 most of the way to the 4wd trailhead with no problems.

Posted On: 8/18/2025 By: climbingyogi
Info: I attempted Wetterhorn back in 2021 and *thought* I recalled driving my Outback up to the 4WD TH. Either: 1) my memory is even worse than I thought and I never drove to the 4WD TH or 2) the last .7 miles to the 4WD TH has severely deteriorated over the last few years.

I met my friend at the lower TH and had him hop in, all while assuring him that the 4WD section wasn't that bad. Let's just say getting to the 4WD TH in an Outback was quite the adventure. Luckily, I never hit the bottom of my car and didn't get stuck, but it was way spicier than I would have liked and I wish I'd read up on recent conditions of the road. Only other vehicle up there was a lifted 4Runner.

Posted On: 7/14/2025 By: paigemoney
Info: From Lake City, when you turn left onto Henson Creek Road and (per 14ers.com) start measuring mileage: at 9 miles, you’ll turn right onto North Henson Road, where there’s a sign that says “4WD recommended.” The road gets significantly worse at this point.

14ers.com notes it’s rough 2WD up to 10,300 feet. In my opinion, minimum AWD is necessary, good tires are helpful, and some comfort with rough roads is important.

At the 10.2-mile mark, there was a Honda CR-V parked. That spot has two deep potholes. If you can make it through those, you can likely reach the junction at 11 miles, where the 4WD road begins (per 14ers.com).

From the junction at 11 miles, the road becomes substantially worse. In my opinion, the difficulty is underestimated by 14ers.com. While the challenging section is under a mile, compared to other roads I’ve done: the last 0.7 miles is similar to the first section of the Antero road. It’s significantly harder than the upper trailhead to Huron and more difficult than Nellie Creek (post-construction).

I had to pick a good line in several places in my Wrangler, both on the way up and down. There are a few spots with significant steepness and large rock obstacles to navigate. On the descent, I was watching the roll/pitch on my dash and saw I reached at least 17 degrees of roll.

That being said, I would not attempt the upper trailhead without high clearance, good tires, 4WD, and comfort with off-road driving.

Posted On: 7/7/2025 By: ochres
Info: made it to the upper 4WD trailhead in the dark in a stock 4Runner with AT tires in wet conditions. nothing too harrowing if you can pick a good line. we thought it was a lot easier than when we did nellie creek back in 2021 when that road was in terrible condition. one tundra at the top and a newer bronco showed up the next morning. you should be fine if you have 4WD and good clearance.

Posted On: 7/7/2025 By: anthonym32
Info: Made it to the upper 2WD TH oon 7/3 in a stock 2023 Subaru Outback on all-season tires. This was probably the diciest road I've made it up on in my Outback- 4-5 spots during the final 2 miles up that had me puckering. Driving up in the dark definitely made it more difficult and I honestly hated it, but it is Subaruable. I got stuck briefly in one spot where AWD was necessary, and I was able to make it up and down with no damage. At the 2WD TH, I saw one other outback and multiple 4runners. I didn't see a single sedan. For the 4WD TH, I only saw a lifted Wrangler coupe. There's not really a point to drive up there as it barely saves any distance, and the road is significantly worse. Silver Creek/Grizzly Gulch was considerably easier than this for reference. Obviously, everyone has their own risk tolerance, but anything with under like 7-8 inches of clearance I'd be hesitant unless you're willing to send it.