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Wetterhorn Peak, ColoradoWetterhorn Peak's Elevation: 14,015 FeetWetterhorn Peak's Rank Among Colorado's Fourteeners in Terms of Elevation: #49Wetterhorn Peak is located in the San Juan MountainsWetterhorn Peak requires a scrambleBest months for climbing Wetterhorn Peak are June through SeptemberClick here for a Mapquest map of Wetterhorn PeakWetterhorn Peak, with an elevation of 14,015 feet, is the 49th highest peak in the state of Colorado. The standard route to Wetterhorn's summit starts at the Matterhorn Creek trailhead, and involves some off-trail hiking to reach Wetterhorn's southeast ridge, followed by scrambling and exposure.To reach the Matterhorn Creek trailhead, follow the Henson Creek/Engineer Pass Road nine miles from Lake City to a signed intersection at the Capitol City townsite. Take a right onto the North Fork Henson Creek Road, and follow this for two miles before taking another right, onto the Matterhorn Creek Road (this double-track a few hundred feet before Matterhorn Creek lies on the north side of the road and leads three-fourths of a mile further).
Once on the trail, head north (with one small switchback to the east), then pass along the left/south side of Matterhorn Basin until you
gain Wetterhorn's southeast ridge. Stick to this ridge until you reach the Keyhole at the base of the summit block, then scramble through
this notch and up a rock gully to the summit (rope and a helmet are both recommended here).
This page last updated 8/15/06 |