Trip

Backpack – BPX 3-Day: Five Pass Loop Tour of the Horns from Matterhorn Creek TH

Day 1: Starting from FS 870 hike to Matterhorn Creek TH to avoid rough road section from 870 to TH and then hike on Matterhorn Cutoff Trail 245 and and right at junction on Ridge Stock Driveway 233 over a high ridge and past the Matterhorn trail then down and across small creek with whitre mineral deposits to find poles markers for East Fork Trail 228 down the valley. Good camping near shepherds hut and trees. (~5 miles/2100’). Day 2: Continue west on a primitive trail through the camping area to descend to the valley and the Matterhorn Trail where you can easily ford creek in late summer and pick-up Middle Fork Trail going uphill - watch for pole markers. Climb over nearly 12,600 foot pass and then steep descent to a treed area with creek nearby and many camping areas. This would be a good stopping point if lightning is a concern for the next segment which climbs the Coxcomb Trail 132 approximately 1,500 feet to the pass below Coxcomb Peak (the highpoint of the loop at 12,939 ft) and down to the Middle Fork of the Cimarron River. Watch for trail along valley ridge or take alternate to east side to avoid exposure but both will descend to more defined trail and into camp just past a small creek.(~5 miles/2,500 feet up and 2,500 feet down’). Day 3: Continue up the valley and look for Middle Canyon Trail 136 on the right which climbs steeply up the prominent ridge to the south . Climb over and descend into Middle Canyon to eventual intersection with the Matteron Creek Trail return to the trailhead and cars (~7.3 miles, 1,800 up and 3,1000 down). https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/38483?t=yhd9NGdpikZ28wUiC2Pn#activity=hiking