| About Uncompahgre National Forest |
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| Wetterhorn Basin Trail |
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Ending Elevation:
12,560 Feet
USGS Maps:
Wetterhorn Peak Quad
Usage:
Moderate
Trail Number:
#226
Beginning Elevation:
10,760 Feet
Length:
5 Miles
Elevation Gain:
1,800 Feet
Difficulty:
Easy to Moderate
Recommended Season:
Summer to Fall
Reservation:
No
From Cimarron Road, Take Cimarron Road to Owl Creek Pass. Turn south on West Fork Road #860 1/4 mile east of the pass. Stay on the main road through the drainage bottom for five miles to end. The last one and a half miles require a pick-up or other high clearance vehicle.
Location Information
The Wetterhorn Trail is a popular and scenic route into one of the more remote portions of the Big Blue Wilderness. Except for the first mile, the trail is located above timberline. This trail offers spectacular views of the Wetterhorn and Coxcomb Peak areas as well as the rugged upper Cow Creek drainage. The first mile and a half of the trail is well maintained and easily traveled. Slide rock in the Wetterhorn Pass area makes the trail difficult for horse use. South of Wetterhorn Pass, the route is marked with cairns; however a topographic map is suggested. Travel time to Wetterhorn Basin is four hours in each direction. This trail leaves the West Fork Road and follows along open meadows surrounded by spruce-fir into a large open basin in the upper West Fork. From this area the trail switches back and climbs steeply to the top of Wetterhorn Pass. Loose talus slide rock has crossed the trail in this section. Large drifts of snow lasting into mid summer are common. Thunderstorms in the Upper Cow Creek drainage may be sudden and very intense. High open ridges should be avoided during lightning activity. Wetterhorn Basin is a favorite spot to view alpine plants and wildlife. Sightings of mountain sheep are common. Other alpine animals such as marmots and pikas may readily be watched.
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