Peak 13201, Peak 13300 C, Matterhorn Peak, Broken Hill Loop in Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison National Forest, CO

Hike Peak 13201, Peak 13300 C, Matterhorn Peak, Broken Hill Loop Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison National Forest, CO

Class 2 12.5 miles 6300 gain 6-8 hrs Loop Aug 12, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Peak 13201, Peak 13300 C, Matterhorn Peak, Broken Hill Loop GPX Track

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This traverse includes a couple of unnamed 13ers, Matterhorn Peak, and Broken Hill. Luke included Wetterhorn Peak since he hadn't hiked it before. Since I did years ago in conjunction with Uncompahgre Peak, I was content to save my legs. Including Wetterhorn Peak along this loop would make a lot of sense since the route passes just beneath it and even follows the standard trail route used to reach the summit, as a note. This traverse received the name "Broken, Wet, and Horny", a combination of the peak names, which was labeled on the folder Luke sent me containing photos. I died of laughter and had to share.

We parked at the base of the tricky Matterhorn Creek Road, finding one of many possible pull-outs to leave the car. Reaching this point is doable for any car, but low-clearance might have to go slow at points. We continued west along the main road in search of a trail we were hoping still existed called the "Wetterhorn Basin Trail", which follows Mary Alice Creek. The trail was a bit overgrown, but only required short spurts of easy bushwhacking. It was also fairly steep and followed an old roadbed for its majority. I marked where we left the trail on my attached map since it seemed to curve away from where we wanted to go, but who knows. The terrain was mostly tundra with a couple hunderd feet of easy walking through brush. We crossed over Mary Alice Creek and ascended to the south ridge of Peak 13201. Some talus-hopping led to some Class 2+ when gaining this ridge. The hike along the south ridge to the summit was pretty and quite easy.

The summit of Peak 13201 got us in even better moods than we were in. We were hoping to drop down from the north ridge of Peak 13201, but our friend Whiley warned it was very sketchy. She was right. I marked this Class 4 spot that Luke descended, while I decided I'd rather not risk dying do to loose rock. In fact, while attempting to descend I caused an otherwise solid-looking boulder to slide off. That was enough to convince me to return down Peak 13201's south ridge instead. Luke was convinced he wanted to go for Wetterhorn Peak, so I told him to run off (because he runs mountains like a crazy person) and I'd catch up later on Matterhorn Peak.

I descended the south ridge and headed along Class 2 talus along Peak 13201's east slope. It was pretty easy-going overall, but you might want to consider just dropping all the way down to avoid the relatively slow-moving boulder-hopping. I made it to the saddle on Peak 13201's east side and continued on steep tundra to Peak 13300C. Along the way there were two very short and easy Class 2 sections, but otherwise it was a lovely grassy stroll. Wetterhorn Peak looked outstanding from this angle. I backtracked slightly to avoid cliffs on Peak 13300C's east face and continued on steep tundra with a couple of Class 2 moves to avoid minor rock outcrops down to its saddle with Wetterhorn Peak. I made a slowly ascending traverse to the southeast ridge of Wetterhorn Peak, still only tundra with some very light boulder-hopping. There was even an animal trail for the second half. Once on Wetterhorn Peak's southeast ridge I stumbled onto the standard Wetterhorn Peak approach trail. Next up was Matterhorn Peak, visible ahead. I followed the trail down to where the boulders ended and tundra began, deciding to take the easier walking route even if it meant losing extra vertical gain. Instead of descending as far as I did you could traverse the boulder field. Later on Luke and I compared tracks and he decided to do just that, but he ultimately only saved 200 vertical gain and likely had to deal with a lot of boulder-hopping.

I was now on the very southern slope of Matterhorn Peak, steep tundra. About a quarter mile from the summit I located a cairn which soon led to a faint social trail. This continued through the tundra, then the rocky terrain, and finally on the standard Class 2 talus route to Matterhorn Peak's summit. There was a Class 2+ move near the summit, but it's only because the boulders are really big and require some light scrambling. I headed down from Matterhorn Peak, passing Luke along the way. I wanted to make faster time because I knew he'd catch up, so I continued down Matterhorn Peak's southeast ridge on easy tundra and to its saddle with Broken Hill, our final peak still over a mile away. The tundra hiking here was much easier than most of the day. I kept just to the right of the ridge crest since it appeared to be a lot more rocky, and I was successful in sticking to grassy terrain for the majority of the ascent. There was a false summit along the way, but only forced me to lose a hundred feet of vertical gain. The grassy ridgeline continued to the base of Broken Hill, where a steep section complete with a social trail led to just below the summit block. Broken Hill's summit block looked formidable from this angle, but a social trail wrapped around its south side on easy Class 2 and up to the summit.

Now for getting back. Our plan was to take Broken Hill's southwest ridge down to the Matterhorn Creek Trail (or rather, the road leading to the trailhead), and follow this down to the car. We headed down from the summit block and started descending this ridge. While perfectly nice as a descent on tundra for its majority, I wouldn't recommend reversing our loop. It's quite steep along this ridge. Toward the bottom we entered the forest on an animal trail and wandered down the slope until we reached the road, a short hike from the car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 13201
13201 ft
641 rise
2
Peak 13300 C
13300 ft
400 rise
3
Matterhorn Peak
13590 ft
550 rise
4
Broken Hill
13256 ft
798 rise

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We parked at the start of the Matterhorn Creek Road. We'll be returning from the right later, but first we'd ascend along the road on the left, the main road entering the area.
We parked at the start of the Matterhorn Creek Road. We'll be returning from the right later, but first we'd ascend along the road on the left, the main road entering the area.
After a short road walk we headed up the Wetterhorn Basin Trail.
After a short road walk we headed up the Wetterhorn Basin Trail.
Wetterhorn Basin Trail, a bit overgrown.
Wetterhorn Basin Trail, a bit overgrown.
View back down as we progress up the Wetterhorn Basin Trail.
View back down as we progress up the Wetterhorn Basin Trail.
Peak 13201 comes into view. We left the trail shortly after this point because it seemed to curve away.
Peak 13201 comes into view. We left the trail shortly after this point because it seemed to curve away.
Peak 1301. We stuck to the right side of Mary Alice Creek.
Peak 1301. We stuck to the right side of Mary Alice Creek.
View back along our route after leaving the Wetterhorn Basin Trail.
View back along our route after leaving the Wetterhorn Basin Trail.
Crossing Mary Alice Creek and ascending the grassy slope to the south ridge of Peak 13201, visible ahead on the left.
Crossing Mary Alice Creek and ascending the grassy slope to the south ridge of Peak 13201, visible ahead on the left.
Progress up to Peak 13201.
Progress up to Peak 13201.
Wetterhorn Peak in the distance as we head up some Class 2 to gain Peak 13201's south ridge.
Wetterhorn Peak in the distance as we head up some Class 2 to gain Peak 13201's south ridge.
A shot back toward the Wetterhorn Basin Trail and Mary Alice Creek.
A shot back toward the Wetterhorn Basin Trail and Mary Alice Creek.
Approaching some Class 2+.
Approaching some Class 2+.
Class 2+ to gain the south ridge.
Class 2+ to gain the south ridge.
Along Peak 13201's south ridge, Wetterhorn PEak visible top right.
Along Peak 13201's south ridge, Wetterhorn PEak visible top right.
View back along the south ridge, just before the summit of Peak 13201.
View back along the south ridge, just before the summit of Peak 13201.
Peak 13201 summit, view west.
Peak 13201 summit, view west.
Peak 13201 summit, view north. Coxcomb Peak in the Cimarrons left, Peak 13300C center, Wetterhorn Peak right.
Peak 13201 summit, view north. Coxcomb Peak in the Cimarrons left, Peak 13300C center, Wetterhorn Peak right.
Luke did the sketchy Class 4 descent off Peak 13201, shown here. I backed off and returned down the peak's south slope. Ultimately he didn't really save a lot of time by going this way anyway.
Luke did the sketchy Class 4 descent off Peak 13201, shown here. I backed off and returned down the peak's south slope. Ultimately he didn't really save a lot of time by going this way anyway.
After backtracking along Peak 13201's south ridge, I hugged the peak's east face and traversed this Class 2 boulder field. Alternatively you could drop farther own and take the grassy route instead. The goal is the grassy slope/saddle in the center of this photo.
After backtracking along Peak 13201's south ridge, I hugged the peak's east face and traversed this Class 2 boulder field. Alternatively you could drop farther own and take the grassy route instead. The goal is the grassy slope/saddle in the center of this photo.
On the grassy slope/saddle, starting up to Peak 13300C, ahead but hidden by the hills in front of it.
On the grassy slope/saddle, starting up to Peak 13300C, ahead but hidden by the hills in front of it.
View back toward Peak 13201 from the saddle.
View back toward Peak 13201 from the saddle.
View back toward Peak 13201 on my way up to Peak 13300C. My route came from the left in this photo along the Class 2 slope. Luke came from the saddle just to the peak's right in this photo after he did the sketchy down-climb.
View back toward Peak 13201 on my way up to Peak 13300C. My route came from the left in this photo along the Class 2 slope. Luke came from the saddle just to the peak's right in this photo after he did the sketchy down-climb.
Ascending to Peak 13300C, ahead on the right. Gorgeous tundra walking with some very light Class 2.
Ascending to Peak 13300C, ahead on the right. Gorgeous tundra walking with some very light Class 2.
Peak 13300C on the left, Wetterhorn Peak right.
Peak 13300C on the left, Wetterhorn Peak right.
Peak 13300C summit, view back toward Peak 13201 (center).
Peak 13300C summit, view back toward Peak 13201 (center).
Peak 13300C summit, view toward Wetterhorn Peak. The next bit of the route leads down to the saddle in the center of this photo, then does an ascending traverse to the grassy slope on the right side of Wetterhorn Peak, where I'd pick up the standard Wetterhorn Peak approach trail.
Peak 13300C summit, view toward Wetterhorn Peak. The next bit of the route leads down to the saddle in the center of this photo, then does an ascending traverse to the grassy slope on the right side of Wetterhorn Peak, where I'd pick up the standard Wetterhorn Peak approach trail.
Really cool formations along the descent from Peak 13300C. Coxcomb Peak in the distance.
Really cool formations along the descent from Peak 13300C. Coxcomb Peak in the distance.
View back toward the descent from Peak 13300C. There were some short Class 2 sections to avoid the rock outcrops.
View back toward the descent from Peak 13300C. There were some short Class 2 sections to avoid the rock outcrops.
At the saddle of Peak 13300C and Wetterhorn Peak. I headed toward the grassy ridge on the right in this photo.
At the saddle of Peak 13300C and Wetterhorn Peak. I headed toward the grassy ridge on the right in this photo.
View back.
View back.
An animal trail materialized along the lightly ascending traverse.
An animal trail materialized along the lightly ascending traverse.
After reaching Wetterhorn Peak's southeast ridge, I located the standard Wetterhorn Peak approach trail and took it down. Matterhorn Peak, next on the agenda, visible top left. Uncompahgre Peak visible in the distance.
After reaching Wetterhorn Peak's southeast ridge, I located the standard Wetterhorn Peak approach trail and took it down. Matterhorn Peak, next on the agenda, visible top left. Uncompahgre Peak visible in the distance.
View back up the trail, Wetterhorn Peak top right.
View back up the trail, Wetterhorn Peak top right.
The trail leads through a bunch of boulders. I stuck to the trail until the terrain was tundra again, skipping the long boulder-hopping option. The goal is the grassy slope in the center of this photo.
The trail leads through a bunch of boulders. I stuck to the trail until the terrain was tundra again, skipping the long boulder-hopping option. The goal is the grassy slope in the center of this photo.
After the rocky section along the Wetterhorn Peak approach trail, I made it to beneath the talus and ascended along its border to the grassy ridge ahead without having to boulder-hop.
After the rocky section along the Wetterhorn Peak approach trail, I made it to beneath the talus and ascended along its border to the grassy ridge ahead without having to boulder-hop.
Making progress up Matterhorn Peak's steep tundra slope, view back toward Wetterhorn Peak.
Making progress up Matterhorn Peak's steep tundra slope, view back toward Wetterhorn Peak.
Tundra walking up the Matterhorn Peak.
Tundra walking up the Matterhorn Peak.
A social trail materialized. View toward Broken Hill as I make progress up to Matterhorn Peak.
A social trail materialized. View toward Broken Hill as I make progress up to Matterhorn Peak.
Social trail through talus/scree.
Social trail through talus/scree.
Last push to the summit of Matterhorn Peak, Class 2. One Class 2+ move along the way.
Last push to the summit of Matterhorn Peak, Class 2. One Class 2+ move along the way.
View back down the Class 2/2+ ascent to Matterhorn Peak. Broken Hill top right, Uncompahgre Peak top left.
View back down the Class 2/2+ ascent to Matterhorn Peak. Broken Hill top right, Uncompahgre Peak top left.
Matterhorn Peak summit, Wetterhorn Peak left and Coxcomb Peak right.
Matterhorn Peak summit, Wetterhorn Peak left and Coxcomb Peak right.
Matterhorn Peak summit, view toward Uncompahgre Peak.
Matterhorn Peak summit, view toward Uncompahgre Peak.
Starting down Matterhorn Peak, Broken Hill visible right of center. The colorful hills along the way (right in this photo) serve as a false summit along the way.
Starting down Matterhorn Peak, Broken Hill visible right of center. The colorful hills along the way (right in this photo) serve as a false summit along the way.
At the saddle of Matterhorn Peak and Broken Hill.
At the saddle of Matterhorn Peak and Broken Hill.
Mostly easy tundra with some light talus.
Mostly easy tundra with some light talus.
View back toward Matterhorn (center) and Wetterhorn (left) as I ascend the ridge to Broken Hill.
View back toward Matterhorn (center) and Wetterhorn (left) as I ascend the ridge to Broken Hill.
Continuing from the false summit toward another hump along the ridgeline. Broken Hill is seen poking out in the center.
Continuing from the false summit toward another hump along the ridgeline. Broken Hill is seen poking out in the center.
A hump along the way, view toward Broken Hill.
A hump along the way, view toward Broken Hill.
Approaching Broken Hill. It gets steep, as you can see.
Approaching Broken Hill. It gets steep, as you can see.
View down the steep social trail just below the summit block. Wetterhorn Peak visible top left, Uncompahgre top right.
View down the steep social trail just below the summit block. Wetterhorn Peak visible top left, Uncompahgre top right.
Broken Hill summit block. I social trail leads around on the right, avoiding the scary-looking stuff.
Broken Hill summit block. I social trail leads around on the right, avoiding the scary-looking stuff.
Wrapping around the summit block. Also, Luke and I met back up, yay.
Wrapping around the summit block. Also, Luke and I met back up, yay.
Summit of Broken Hill, view toward Uncompahgre Peak.
Summit of Broken Hill, view toward Uncompahgre Peak.
Summit of Broken Hill, view toward the ridgeline we ascended from. Wetterhorn Peak visible right of center.
Summit of Broken Hill, view toward the ridgeline we ascended from. Wetterhorn Peak visible right of center.
Headed down our chosen descent ridge, right of center.
Headed down our chosen descent ridge, right of center.
View back up toward Broken Hill (top right).
View back up toward Broken Hill (top right).
Steep, but easy, descent.
Steep, but easy, descent.
Making our way down on mostly tundra and grass.
Making our way down on mostly tundra and grass.
Matterhorn Creek Road visible below. We headed through the forest and wandered over to it.
Matterhorn Creek Road visible below. We headed through the forest and wandered over to it.
Social trail through the woods.
Social trail through the woods.
View back toward the ridge we came down from after joining Matterhorn Creek Road. We took this road back to the car.
View back toward the ridge we came down from after joining Matterhorn Creek Road. We took this road back to the car.

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