At a Glance
- Summit Elevation: 14,015 ft
- Difficulty: Class 3 — technical
- Character: Exposed summit ridge
- From Ouray: ~1 hr drive to trailhead
- Trailhead: Matterhorn Creek area
- Best Season: July – September
The Technical Fourteener Near Ouray
Wetterhorn Peak rises above the Cimarron Ridge northeast of Ouray — a distinctive pyramid visible from the highway north of town. The standard route is Class 3: hands and feet required on the upper mountain, with genuine exposure on the final ridge to the summit. It's more committing than Sneffels or Handies but well within the range of experienced hikers comfortable with Class 3 terrain.
The summit view is exceptional — particularly toward the San Juan plateau to the south and the Cimarron country to the north. Wetterhorn is often paired with Matterhorn Peak (13,590 ft) in the same drainage for a more ambitious day.
Day Trip from Ouray
The Wetterhorn trailhead is accessed via US 550 north, then east toward the Cimarron valley — approximately 1 hour from The Lumberyard. The drive takes you through the Ridgway area and into distinctly different terrain from the canyon-dominated landscape of Ouray. Leave early: the technical summit requires additional care and time compared to the straightforward routes.