Uncompahgre Peak

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 10/18/2026, By: seeking timberline
Info: It's a snow climb. Pretty much continuous snow from just above the 4WD trailhead to the summit. The trail was well-tracked initially, but tracks disappeared in the basin making the trail next to impossible to follow. I was able to improvise by following the excellent directions on this website but it was slow going with knee-deep snow in places. Had I realized there was so much snow I would have brought skis and skins. It would have been much faster and with careful line selection, would have allowed for a fun descent.

The class 2 section was dry and snow free and the snow on the summit was hard and much easier to walk on. With all the surrounding peaks covered in white, the views from the summit were stunning. Made the effort worth it.

I will say the snow seems to be melting quickly down low. It was 19 degrees when I started at 7:00 a.m. but by the time I got back to the car at 2:00 p.m it was sunny and 55 degrees, so depending on what the weather does over the next few days the trail could become significantly clearer. 

Route: via Wetterhorn TH
Posted On: 10/12/2026, By: AK4759
Info: This has probably already changed quite a bit because of the remnants of Hurricane Rachel that went through the area over the past weekend. We caught basically a perfect weather day - sunny and mid-40s in the valley through the morning hours. Some clouds and light snow moved in mid-afternoon. Peak was basically snow-free when we were there. We did not summit Wetterhorn as planned, but that peak was also snow free at the time.

We ended up going to the Matterhorn/Wetterhorn trailhead (instead of Nellie Creek). I have a 4WD GMC Sierra and couldn't make it to the Wetterhorn TH...I do not recommend that road at all, in any vehicle, unless you are very experienced. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 8/23/2026, By: gbrazeauvt
Info: Camped at Nellie Creek trailhead Tuesday evening and ascended Wednesday, 8/20. Before attempting the drive, I made multiple checks to ensure the 4wd road was open due to the Elk Fire which is east of the trailhead/South Ridge trail and would encourage anyone considering to do your due diligence prior to making the trek. You can check the Forest Service website and even follow the “Elk Fire” Facebook account.

For those considering camping at the trailhead, the bathroom is boarded up. This may have been done due to the Elk Fire, but if you are considering camping at the trailhead, come prepared as there were no facilities.

Ascent/descent was great, and trail was in mostly excellent shape. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 8/11/2026, By: minnesotanclimber
Info: I hiked Uncompahgre Peak via the Nellie Creek 4WD trailhead today (8/11). The trail was open and hopefully will be going forward with the Elk Fire stalling out, but check the closure report from the Forest Service before heading out.

I'll post a review of the Nellie Creek Trailhead/road separately, but it is a true 3/6 ranking with plenty of obstacles. A 4WD vehicle is definitely required.

As for the hike itself...this was one of my top three favorite 14ers of the ~20 that I've done. Only five people on the whole mountain today, and I had the summit to myself for a half hour. The trail description and stats are pretty accurate - I recorded 7.75mi, 2,900ft of elevation, and completed the hike in 5h from 6:30-11:30. Darker clouds had rolled in by the time I reached my car.

One note on the route itself: when it comes to the crux of the route where you choose between the near or far side of the rock tower, go near side. The rock is more solid than the far side, where it's a scree surf. There is no snow to be seen, leave spikes at home. I found a pole helpful. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 8/2/2026, By: tdearborn
Info: Peak and trailhead open, according to the Forest Service, as of 7/28/2026

"On the southern end of the closure area, Nellie Creek Road – National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 7877, Nellie Creek Trailhead, Uncompahgre Peak Trail – National Forest System Trail (NFST) 9239 and Uncompahgre Peak will remain open to visitors."

Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/newsroom/releases/gmug-national-forests-reduce-elk-fire-closure-area - 7/28/2026 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 7/17/2026, By: theolubke
Info: Uncompahgre Peak and the Nellie Creek Trailhead are closed until October 1 due to the Gold Mtn fire.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/alerts/elk-wildfire-area-closure-order 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 7/5/2026, By: bblack94
Info: Summited 7/4. Beautiful summer conditions. There was an enough smoke from the nearby fire to cause the view from the summit to be pretty hazy, but the smoke wasn’t severe enough to impact breathing or feel unsafe. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 7/2/2026, By: roberthailey
Info: Summer conditions - worst part of the hike was the drive up Nellie Creek Road. The scrambling at the top was no problem, even for my wife who hates scrambling. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 6/20/2026, By: ericwolf88
Info: Full summer conditions, but definitely getting a little windy at the top by mid morning - parking lot was full and there were many people on the trial. Started at 7:30am from the 4WD trailhead, back to the car at 12:15pm. Pretty unique to be able to see the mountain almost the whole approach and the payoff at the top is amazing. I don't like scrambling, but even I didn't think that brief section at the top was very bad going up or down if you just go slow. Most people were staying on the near side of the rock tower. Road was dry except for one mud spot that I avoided but agree that a 4WD would be smart if going to the upper trailhead. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 6/16/2026, By: wtellis
Info: Full on Summer conditions from Nellie creek trailhead. Road is in good condition with no mud and the creek crossings are manageable. Still suggest a high clearance vehicle. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 6/14/2026, By: lukedog
Info: Our group climbed Wetterhorn on Friday, June 12 and Uncompahgre on Saturday, June 13. Essentially summer conditions throughout. A handful of inconsequential snowfields in the basin between peaks but zero need for any traction or flotation on the peaks or between them. Plentiful water. Beautiful conditions across the board.

June 12-13 Matterhorn Creek TH road was dry and without major obstacles but a little rougher than I expected. Still fine for an Outback Wilderness to the AWD TH. I wouldn't even consider taking my car to the 4WD TH - very rough past the AWD TH. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 6/4/2026, By: the3wilson
Info: I thought there was a little more snow and MUD than others have recently posted, especially if you want to minimize your impact. Should be gone in a couple of weeks. Made it to upper TH in a standard Subaru Forester even through the big, steep mud hole.

Hike itself was spectacular with great views of the San Juans. Had the summit to myself the entire time which never happens on a 14er. Only saw two other groups of two the entire day. 

Route: From 13,110
Posted On: 5/31/2026, By: MMAfightingClimber
Info: Did a cirque on the 13ers + unc so I can’t speak to the lower trail conditions, but it was summer conditions up high on the standard route. A couple small non consequential snow crossings and a little muddy on a few parts. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 5/24/2026, By: Josh0651
Info: The road up to the 4wd TH was conquered by a stock Rav4 and made me feel like a bitch for having a truck with 33s. 4wd probably necessary for the mud puddle. The trail itself has many snow patches still. But nothing that made me feel like traction was necessary, I brought spikes and never used them. Trekking poles seemed like plenty. Beautiful day out there! 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 5/3/2026, By: bcmurphy
Info: Beautiful day! Still some post holing and mud, but we did it without traction or microspikes. There was still enough snow to ski the East face, which would have been perfect conditions with spring corn snow.

Road to trailhead was rough. Large mud hole 2ish miles from the trailhead was nearly impassible; took 4lo and lockers. Moved a tree and numerous rocks from the last half mile. Numerous snow banks took some momentum.