Wetterhorn Peak stands above its surrounding basins like an ancient crumbling volcano. Rising to 14,015 feet, the pyramidal fourteener is not only one of the most photogenic mountains in Colorado, but its steep eastern face holds a classic ski descent that I’ve been wanting to snowboard for years. This last weekend I ventured out into the Uncompahgre Wilderness with a friend to hopefully ride and photograph this beautiful mountain.
An overnight camp was required due to Wetterhorn’s remoteness when the nearest access roads are still snowed in. We opted to spend two nights out there camped at treeline with this nice view up the Matterhorn Creek basin.
After our successful morning on Wetterhorn, we relaxed at camp, refueled, and headed up Matterhorn Peak in the afternoon. I spent several hours on the windy summit enjoying the views at sunset, dusk, and finally moonrise. Once the moon was out I down-climbed the summit and snowboarded back down to the tent via moonlight and headlamp. So fun!
We slept-in until the sun hit the tent, then trudged the six miles back out to the truck and devoured beers and burgers in Lake City, stoked to have accomplished our mission!
Once again a good example of why I consider you my favorite landscape photographer to date.
Wow, I’m flattered! đ Thanks, Andrew!
What a great peak and killer panoramas from the Matterhorn. My first year in the last 5 not coming to the San Juans, looks like the snow is lacking. But no dust! Hope you and Claudia are well. I will be back out climbing some mountains one of these days, Jack.
Best;
Vermont Jake
Hey Jake, yeah so far so good on the dust… (knock on wood). It’s been an unremarkable winter here for sure, I think 69% of average snowpack last I heard. Can’t complain too much though after hearing about the Sierras with 6% average snowpack! Yikes…
Few things. One, the photos of the Wetterhorn and area are once again great (My favorite area in the San Juan Mountains). Two, thanks for the heads up of the great deals at Steep & Cheap on your gear site. Three, trying to get to Matterhorn Creek. Need a shuttle to the area. Do you know of companies in Ouray or Lake City that can get us to the trailhead and pick us back up. Thank You!!! P.S. I know you are a very busy person, but if you have the time and would like to make a little extra money, could you shuttle the wife and I to the trailhead and back (Aug 8-12)? It would be nice to talk to you about photography and the great places to photograph in the San Juan Mountains.
Hi Robert, thanks for your compliment! I do not know of any shuttle companies around Lake City or Ouray, unfortunately. Lake City would be the place to search, since Ouray is actually about a 3-4 hour drive away (we have to drive all the way around the mountains from Ouray). So for this reason I wouldn’t be able to help out. Good luck with the search!
Oh, you might try asking on 14ers.com — someone there might know.
Great shots Jack, looks like you are now getting your winters worth of snow! This month of May I have been checking the cams at telluride and it seems to be snowing every other day! Great for you. Our pacific northwest snowpack below 8000′ is 15% , SAD but above that is 65% so climbing is still good on our volcanoes. Did you take these shots with your sony system or did you just have your ricoh??
Hi Kiim, yeah, it’s been a wet and snowy May again this year here! Should make for a good wildflower summer if it keeps up through June. The landscape shots here were with my Sony A7R and Canon lenses; the skiing shots are with the Ricoh GR.