Uncompahgre Peak Trip Report 07/08/2009

Peak(s):	Uncompahgre Peak - 14,318 feet
Date Posted:	07/08/2009
Date Climbed:	07/07/2009
Author:	Gabe K

Uncompahgre...Unforgiven! (Matterhorn Creek TH)
The Facts...Just the Facts Woke up at 4:00 AM at Elk Creek, Curecanti N.R.A. (aka Blue Mesa Reservoir), and drove to the Matterhorn Creek Trailhead, it took me a little over an hour's drive. Parked my car where the dirt road forks, to the right up a couple miles is the trailhead, and to the left was a bridge going up the Alpine Loop. I caught a ride from a couple fellow dat hikers to the trailhead. 6:45 AM: Began hiking from the Matterhorn Trailhead. 7:45 AM: Reached the trail junction for Trail 228 aka Little Cimarron. 8:30 AM: Reached the trail junction with the Nellie Creek Route. 9:15 AM: Was standing on the summit taking photos & eating M&Ms. 1:30 PM: Back at my car and heading for Poker Alice's for lunch. My hike was about 15 total miles, it would have been shorter if I had parked closer to the trailhead, probably more like 12-13 miles if I had parked where the sign sign states that 4WD is recommended. I thought that this route up Uncompahgre Peak was far more scenic and rewarding than the standard route up Nellie Creek Road. It may be more of a hike, but it is definitely offers more rewarding views of the surrounding peaks and alpine meadows. If you want to read more about it, see more of my photos and a video from the summit, please visit my blog link below Sherpa Shenanigans: Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Uncompahgre...Unforgiven! (Matterhorn Creek TH)

The Facts...Just the Facts

Woke up at 4:00 AM at Elk Creek, Curecanti N.R.A. (aka Blue Mesa Reservoir), and drove to the Matterhorn Creek Trailhead, it took me a little over an hour's drive.

Parked my car where the dirt road forks, to the right up a couple miles is the trailhead, and to the left was a bridge going up the Alpine Loop. I caught a ride from a couple fellow dat hikers to the trailhead.

6:45 AM: Began hiking from the Matterhorn Trailhead.
7:45 AM: Reached the trail junction for Trail 228 aka Little Cimarron.
8:30 AM: Reached the trail junction with the Nellie Creek Route.
9:15 AM: Was standing on the summit taking photos & eating M&Ms.
1:30 PM: Back at my car and heading for Poker Alice's for lunch.

My hike was about 15 total miles, it would have been shorter if I had parked closer to the trailhead, probably more like 12-13 miles if I had parked where the sign sign states that 4WD is recommended.

I thought that this route up Uncompahgre Peak was far more scenic and rewarding than the standard route up Nellie Creek Road. It may be more of a hike, but it is definitely offers more rewarding views of the surrounding peaks and alpine meadows. If you want to read more about it, see more of my photos and a video from the summit, please visit my blog link below

Sherpa Shenanigans:

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

cftbq	should have gone for more 7/8/2009 6:16pm Making such good time (and weather cooperating), you should have added Wetterhorn, and hit Poker Alice‘s for dinner! Congrats all the same. You must have been overly worried about your vehicle, because nearly anything can get to the ”4WD recommended” (Who are they kidding??) sign. You‘re right about the route being more scenic than the standard.
comin2getcha	Said hello on the trail 7/9/2009 2:17am Gabe -- Our paths crossed on the trail yesterday as you were headed down. My buddy, Chris and I had climbed Wetterhorn and were on our way up Uncompahgre. I camped on the summit -- sweet -- no one else there.
Uffda	Also on the trail 7/9/2009 5:06pm We probably crossed paths at some point (I did hear tales of someone with a large bag of M&Ms). My group camped just below treeline on the Matterhorn Creek side and summited around noon. I haven‘t hiked the Nellie Creek trail, but I agree that the hike from Matterhorn is beautiful!
Gabe K	Uncompahgre 7/11/2009 2:03pm Hey, thanks for dropping a line here. Yeah, I know I could have done Wetterhorn as well, but I already planned on Uncompahgre for the day. The day before I did a hike up West Maroon Pass from the Gothic side, so I had a big two days of hiking, something like 25-27 miles for the two days.

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