U4

Date: 7/6/2025
Partner: Solo
Trailhead: Wetterhorn TH
Distance: 5.5m
Elevation Gain: 2240ft
Duration: 3hrs 40min
GPX

A week earlier Kristi and I climbed Dunsinane Mountain just north across the valley from U4. Thats when I spotted the roughly 1,000 feet of continous snow dropping from U4's summit ridge. I am not a ski every month guy, but I knew I had to come back and get it.

When I returned a week later, traffic in the Cimarron was at its peak. Plenty of folks hiking, backpacking, car camping etc. So when I was walking the trail with skis on my back folks were looking at me like I had two heads and their questions and comments were hilarious as well. I couldn't help but give a few smart replies to the curious Texans. "There is a ski hill up there that makes snow year round! You must be renting skis at the base right?"

I wasn't expecting much from the skiing but climbing U4 was already on my radar. U4 delivers some pretty fantastic Cimarron views and the approach is easy... but I was beyond stoked to ski just under 1,000ft of soft supportable corn in July.

The 'U' in U4 stands for Uncompahgre... Uncompahgre 4. So I took it upon myself to name the ski line U4ia Couloir. Might have to go back next year.