Backcountry camping at Uncomp. & Wetterhorn

[Sean Nunn]

I have noticed that Uncomp. and Wetterhorn have a 4 mile approach on a 4WD road. I do not have access to a true 4WD vehicle. I am wondering if it is feasible to hike up the 4WD road to slightly below treeline and camp there (200-300 feet from any water source, of course). If anyone has info. about this idea please let me know.

[AlexeyD]

I have noticed that Uncomp. and Wetterhorn have a 4 mile approach on a 4WD road. I do not have access to a true 4WD vehicle. I am wondering if it is feasible to hike up the 4WD road to slightly below treeline and camp there (200-300 feet from any water source, of course). If anyone has info. about this idea please let me know.

Which one of those 2 are you referring to? They both a a 4x4 road, but the Unc one (Nellie Creek) is MUUUCH longer. For Wetterhorn, I'd say it's "rough 2WD" up to within 0.7 miles of the TH, and yes there is good camping along that road. If you're going to base camp and do both, that would be the place to do it and do the overland traverse over to Unc, rather than backtrack and walk all the way up along Nellie Creek...

[Sean Nunn]

I was thinking of the Matterhorn Creek trailhead. I would prefer to set up camp one evening, climb Uncomp. the next day, then climb Wetterhorn and pack up camp the third day.

Sean Nunn

[AlexeyD]

I was thinking of the Matterhorn Creek trailhead. I would prefer to set up camp one evening, climb Uncomp. the next day, then climb Wetterhorn and pack up camp the third day.

OK, yep, that's what I described above. Great camping in that area, if you can find something that's not taken already.

[TravelingMatt]

I was thinking of the Matterhorn Creek trailhead. I would prefer to set up camp one evening, climb Uncomp. the next day, then climb Wetterhorn and pack up camp the third day.

If you don't mind backpacking up 1,000 feet or so on Class 1, you could camp at the Unc/Wett saddle, which is also the saddle for Matterhorn and Broken Hill.

The Matterhorn Creek road gets really rough (true 4wd, dicey with a toy SUV) about a quarter mile in, and right before that there's a flat area off to the left of the road with enough room to park and pitch a tent. That said, you're not really gaining that much parking there, and you'll probably be woken up by vehicles and people getting an early start.

[AlexeyD]

The Matterhorn Creek road gets really rough (true 4wd, dicey with a toy SUV) about a quarter mile in, and right before that there's a flat area off to the left of the road with enough room to park and pitch a tent

To be clear: the photo taken above is below the rough section that TravelingMatt is talking about. That is all I'll say about it. Camp chairs, firewood, and Pinot Noir not included

[Sean Nunn]

Exactly what I was looking for: expert advice from people who have been there before.
That is why I love this site. (Not being sarcastic.)


Sean

[jchapell]

In the GPX for my trip report here: https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... m=tripmine you'll see a spot about .6 miles right at treeline where we are off the trail and squiggle around a bunch. That is a spot with a few great campsites and right by the creek.

Still one of our best days in the mountains, period.