Wilson Creek to upper Matterhorn Canyon off-trail?

[Lisina10]

Curious if anyone knows if it's doable to follow Wilson Creek up to the top, then pop over the ridge north of Quarry Peak to drop down into Matterhorn Canyon, potentially using a drainage that starts from a spring just NE of Doghead. I've been studying Google Earth and topos and it looks like it might go, but hard to tell. Would be looking to stick to class 2, maybe a class 3 move or two if exposure isn't crazy. Thanks!

[wildhiker]

Hi Lisina10,

Here's a photo taken straight down Matterhorn Canyon from the headwaters looking at Quarry Peak from my trip in 2006. I believe the north side of the pass from Wilson Creek of which you inquire is between the first and second knobs to the right of Quarry Peak proper (which is the tallest peak in the middle of the photo). Not the couloir full of snow, but the low spot to the right of it. The face below it looks awfully steep to me!

-Phil

IMG_9642-QuarryPeak.JPG

[Lisina10]

Awesome, thanks for sharing that pic. I agree, that looks too steep for me, at least as far as one can tell from the photo. Super helpful!