Matterhorn Peak (13,590') by Brian Schultz Monday August 22, 2011
Roundtrip mileage: 7.5 miles from Matterhorn Creek trailhead
Elevation gain: 3,200'
The fine weather forecast allowed for a later than usual start, all the better since I was driving in from Gunnison. I began at 7:30 from the spacious 2x2 parking area, empty but for one other car and mine, and made quick time to the 4x4 parking lot, which was packed full of vehicles and a motorcycle. This would be my 3rd time using this trail, the last two were for my favorite fourteener Wetterhorn Peak, and a cool wind greeted me as I passed around the gate and started up. It's a straightforward trail hike all the way to 12,200' with great views of Wetterhorn and Matterhorn along the way. I crossed a drainage at the 12,200' contour and headed up Matterhorn's long, grassy slopes.
The summit was further away than it looked but the grassy slopes, although steep, were easy all the way to the bottom of the summit block. The final push included a bit of class 3 scrambling and I stepped on top at 10:20. I heard some voices on Wetterhorn but didn't see anyone over there while I kicked back for a relaxing thirty five minute stay. This is a popular peak, judging by the number of signers in the register, and has terrific views of Wetterhorn, Uncompahgre, Coxcomb, and Redcliff from the top.
I departed the summit at 10:55 and took a leisurely pace down, stopping along the trail to take photos of the still colorful wildflowers, and pulled back to the trailhead at 12:55. A nice short day today on an easy peak.
Trailhead to summit- 2 hours 50 minutes
Summit to trailhead- 2 hours
Start to finish- 5 hours 25 minutes