{"id":10146,"date":"2025-09-05T22:59:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T14:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=10146"},"modified":"2026-01-18T10:36:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T02:36:22","slug":"20250905matterhorn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905matterhorn\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 5 of 2025 Labor Day Trip to California, Matterhorn Peak of Sierra Nevada"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The fifth day of my 2025 Labor Day trip to California. After getting some rest the previous day, today I took on Matterhorn Peak that lay on the boundary of Yosemite National Park and Toiyabe National Forest.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_083612.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_083612.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge from Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sawtooth Ridge from Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Matterhorn Peak was the tower in the center.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\tvar secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', 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{\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:69,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:39,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider21 = new Splide( '#splide-major-21', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider21.sync( secondarySlider21 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider22 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-22', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider22 = new Splide( '#splide-major-22', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider22.sync( secondarySlider22 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>As mentioned in my previous post, the Garnet Fire altered my plans, redirecting me from Kings Canyon to Bridgeport for the day. I found myself weighing three options: Mount Conness, Excelsior Mountain, or Matterhorn Peak. Of these, the trail to Matterhorn Peak was the most ambitious, 20 kilometers round-trip with 1570 meters of elevation gain (12.5 miles, 5,150 feet), about 50% more than the other two candidates. Yet I felt adequately rested from the previous day, and the peak&#8217;s storied name, borrowed from that imposing peak straddling the Italian-Swiss border, proved irresistible. I decided to attempt it.<\/p>\n<h3>September 5: Hike to Matterhorn Peak<\/h3>\n<p>The journey to Matterhorn Peak encompassed varied terrains: a leisurely stroll through forest shade, some bushwhacking through dense undergrowth, some rock-hopping across a talus field, occasionally getting lost where errant boulders interrupted tranquil meadows, more rock-hopping, fighting altitude thickness through a scree field, and finally, a few scrambling moves near the summit.<\/p>\n<p>Matterhorn Peak was the tallest and southernmost peak of the craggy and serrated &#8220;Sawtooth Ridge&#8221;, which, delightfully, was visible from the access road. The trailhead for this hike was located at Annett Mono Village, a modest resort and campground. Parking was free and no registration was needed for day hikes.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_072945C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_072945C.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge from Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sawtooth Ridge from Road<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_073049C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_073049C.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge from Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sawtooth Ridge from Road<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_072945C.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge from Road\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_073049C.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge from Road\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the Sawtooth Ridge from road.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_072945C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_072945C.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge from Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sawtooth Ridge from Road<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_073049C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_073049C.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge from Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sawtooth Ridge from Road<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After some warmup, I started the hike at 7:50am. Here&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:6\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=247297765&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"desktop-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=247297765&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>The trail to Matterhorn Peak traced Horse Creek upstream to its headwaters near Horse Creek Pass, then veered westward for the final ascent to the summit. Near the trailhead, where the creek tumbled through a succession of steep cascades, the path wound upward in switchbacks to ease the climb. Here, the journey began as little more than a leisurely stroll through the forest.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_075656.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_075656.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Crossing Robinson Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Crossing Robinson Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_075808.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_075808.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Trail in Woods\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail in Woods<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_082632.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_082632.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Horsetail Falls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Horsetail Falls<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_083808.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_083808.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Trail in Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail in Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_183718.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_183718.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Overlooking Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_084236.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_084236.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Waterfalls along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Waterfalls along Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7508.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7508.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfalls along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Waterfalls along Horse Creek<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_075656.jpg\" alt=\"Crossing Robinson Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_075808.jpg\" alt=\"Trail in Woods\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_082632.jpg\" alt=\"Horsetail Falls\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_083808.jpg\" alt=\"Trail in Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_183718.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_084236.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfalls along Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7508.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfalls along Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_075656.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_075656.jpg\" alt=\"Crossing Robinson Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Crossing Robinson Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_075808.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_075808.jpg\" alt=\"Trail in Woods\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail in Woods<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_082632.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_082632.jpg\" alt=\"Horsetail Falls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Horsetail Falls<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_083808.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_083808.jpg\" alt=\"Trail in Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail in Valley<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_183718.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_183718.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_084236.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_084236.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfalls along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Waterfalls along Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7508.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7508.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfalls along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Waterfalls along Horse Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7512C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7512C.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge from Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sawtooth Ridge from Trail<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Shortly after the switchbacks, the trail emerged from the treeline, and the distant Sawtooth Ridge which Matterhorn Peak was a part of popped into view. Sight of the same ridge would accompany me for much of the remaining hike. I captured this photo during my descent later in the day.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<p>After climbing through the switchbacks, there was a section of mostly flat trail that followed the tranquil waters of Horse Creek closely.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_085202.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_085202.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_085340.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_085340.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_085343.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_085343.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_180804.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_180804.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_180831.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_180831.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Horse Creek<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_085202.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_085340.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_085343.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_180804.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_180831.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_085202.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_085202.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_085340.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_085340.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_085343.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_085343.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_180804.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_180804.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_180831.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_180831.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Horse Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Continuing onward, the vegetation along the trail gradually transitioned from high trees to shallow scrub. Around 4.5km (2.8mi) from the trailhead, this shift created a particularly troublesome stretch where the bushes grew to roughly human height\u2014an awkward dimension that left the path severely overgrown (p3-4 below). I had to force my way through the encroaching branches, which wasn&#8217;t pleasant. At times, the path itself became nearly indiscernible, as the vegetation formed a labyrinthine maze at every turn. On my way back, I attempted to circumvent this bushwhacking by detouring off-trail to walk along the rocks to the east, though this strategy met with only partial success, as certain sections of dense growth proved inescapable.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_085052.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_085052.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_181904.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_181904.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_090950.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_090950.jpg\" alt=\"Overgrown Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overgrown Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_091301.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_091301.jpg\" alt=\"Overgrown Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overgrown Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_085052.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_181904.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_090950.jpg\" alt=\"Overgrown Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_091301.jpg\" alt=\"Overgrown Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_085052.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_085052.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_181904.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_181904.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_090950.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_090950.jpg\" alt=\"Overgrown Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overgrown Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_091301.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_091301.jpg\" alt=\"Overgrown Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overgrown Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, the bushwhacking section proved brief before the trail emerged onto the rocky terrain along Horse Creek. What lay ahead was a formidable slope\u2014a vast expanse of steep rocky field rising at roughly a 40% gradient (p7 below, about 5.8km\/3.6mi from trailhead). Horse Creek flew underneath those rocks, hidden from sight. The trail grew faint along the slope&#8217;s face, which I missed during my ascent. (It ended up being a similar rock hopping experience, whether one followed the official trail or not.)<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_175032.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_175032.jpg\" alt=\"Trees along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trees along Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_172931.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_172931.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_172208.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_172208.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocky Slope\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Rocky Slope<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_093022.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_093022.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_093718.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_093718.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_093723.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_093723.jpg\" width=\"93.1%\" alt=\"Serrated Ridgeline\" \/><\/a><\/br>Serrated Ridgeline<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Part of &#8220;The Cleaver&#8221; ridge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_171712.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_171712.jpg\" alt=\"Trail onto Rocky Slope\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail onto Rocky Slope<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_171000.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_171000.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hill<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_100619.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_100619.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_101940.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_101940.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Valley<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_175032.jpg\" alt=\"Trees along Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_172931.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_172208.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocky Slope\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_093022.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_093718.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_093723.jpg\" alt=\"Serrated Ridgeline\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_171712.jpg\" alt=\"Trail onto Rocky Slope\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_171000.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_100619.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_101940.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_175032.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_175032.jpg\" alt=\"Trees along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trees along Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_172931.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_172931.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Valley<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_172208.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_172208.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocky Slope\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Rocky Slope<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_093022.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_093022.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_093718.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_093718.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_093723.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_093723.jpg\" alt=\"Serrated Ridgeline\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Serrated Ridgeline<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Part of &#8220;The Cleaver&#8221; ridge.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_171712.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_171712.jpg\" alt=\"Trail onto Rocky Slope\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail onto Rocky Slope<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_171000.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_171000.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hill<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_100619.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_100619.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Valley<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_101940.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_101940.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Valley<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>the trail briefly plunged into wooded terrain, where gravel had supplanted the dirt of the earlier switchbacks. Here, the path grew faint and elusive, its course obscured by the loose stone underfoot. Giant boulders encroached upon the trail in places, forcing me to pick my way over and around these ancient sentinels. Mercifully, these obstacles proved short-lived, and soon the trail reunited with Horse Creek\u2014though the waterway had dwindled to little more than a scattering of shallow and seemingly disconnected puddles.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_102719.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_102719.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_103508.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_103508.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_164720.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_164720.jpg\" alt=\"Faint Trail in Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Faint Trail in Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_164436.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_164436.jpg\" alt=\"Faint Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Faint Trail on Rocks<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_164241.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_164241.jpg\" alt=\"Ponds along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ponds along Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_104728.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_104728.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail along Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_163548.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_163548.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail along Horse Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_161639.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_161639.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Hill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rocky Hill<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_102719.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_103508.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_164720.jpg\" alt=\"Faint Trail in Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_164436.jpg\" alt=\"Faint Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_164241.jpg\" alt=\"Ponds along Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_104728.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_163548.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Horse Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_161639.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Hill\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_102719.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_102719.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_103508.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_103508.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_164720.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_164720.jpg\" alt=\"Faint Trail in Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Faint Trail in Valley<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_164436.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_164436.jpg\" alt=\"Faint Trail on Rocks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Faint Trail on Rocks<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_164241.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_164241.jpg\" alt=\"Ponds along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ponds along Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_104728.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_104728.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail along Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_163548.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_163548.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Horse Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail along Horse Creek<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_161639.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_161639.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Hill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rocky Hill<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Eventually, Horse Creek vanished altogether as the trail ascended toward Horse Creek Pass, the saddle point of Horse Creek Peak to the east and Matterhorn Peak to the west, separating Toiyabe National Forest to the north and Yosemite National Park to the south. The path grew increasingly elusive and frequently dissolving into the rocky landscape. Whenever I lost sight of any discernible trail, I simply picked my way across the stones in the general direction, a strategy that proved largely sufficient.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7503.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7503.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Horse Creek Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_111114.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_111114.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Matterhorn Peak from Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Matterhorn Peak from Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_154811.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_154811.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Matterhorn Peak from Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Matterhorn Peak from Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7424.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7424.jpg\" alt=\"Layered Rocks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Layered Rocks<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_111111.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_111111.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_154612.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_154612.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_153825.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_153825.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7503.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_111114.jpg\" alt=\"Matterhorn Peak from Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_154811.jpg\" alt=\"Matterhorn Peak from Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7424.jpg\" alt=\"Layered Rocks\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_111111.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_154612.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_153825.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-7, #splide-thumb-7 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7503.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7503.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Horse Creek Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_111114.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_111114.jpg\" alt=\"Matterhorn Peak from Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Matterhorn Peak from Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_154811.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_154811.jpg\" alt=\"Matterhorn Peak from Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Matterhorn Peak from Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7424.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7424.jpg\" alt=\"Layered Rocks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Layered Rocks<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_111111.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_111111.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_154612.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_154612.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_153825.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_153825.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Rocks to Horse Creek Pass<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s worth noting that near Horse Creek Pass, two route variations existed. The first, documented on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/us\/california\/matterhorn-peak-climb-trail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AllTrails<\/a>, reached the actual saddle point at Horse Creek Pass before turning west toward Matterhorn Peak. The second variation, apparently more popular on summitpost.org and the one I followed, turned west earlier, bypassing Horse Creek Pass entirely. This alternative likely gained favor because it circumvented a snow patch (p3-4 below), making it both safer and more direct.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_112020.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_112020.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail against Mountainous Backdrop<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_154026.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_154026.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail against Mountainous Backdrop<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_112431.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_112431.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patch\" \/><\/a><\/br>Snow Patch<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_114354.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_114354.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patch\" \/><\/a><\/br>Snow Patch<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_153637.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_153637.jpg\" alt=\"Talus Field\" \/><\/a><\/br>Talus Field<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_153046.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_153046.jpg\" width=\"93.2%\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">On the eastern flank of Horse Creek Valley.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_151957.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_151957.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Horse Creek Peak<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_112020.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_154026.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_112431.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patch\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_114354.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patch\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_153637.jpg\" alt=\"Talus Field\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_153046.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_151957.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-8, #splide-thumb-8 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_112020.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_112020.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail against Mountainous Backdrop<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_154026.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_154026.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail against Mountainous Backdrop<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_112431.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_112431.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patch\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Snow Patch<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_114354.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_114354.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patch\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Snow Patch<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_153637.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_153637.jpg\" alt=\"Talus Field\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Talus Field<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_153046.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_153046.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">On the eastern flank of Horse Creek Valley.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_151957.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_151957.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Horse Creek Peak<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>I reached my version of &#8220;Horse Creek Pass&#8221; <span style=\"font-size: small;\">(the boundary of Toiyabe National Forest and Yosemite National Park)<\/span> just before noon. There, I paused to rest, drinking in the views of Spiller Creek Valley\u2014its meadows a pleasing tapestry of verdant green and autumn brown, the pine trees scattered around, and the serrated granite peaks soaring above in silent majesty. And of course, my destination of Matterhorn Peak just behind them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7429.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7429.jpg\" alt=\"Matterhorn Peak from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Matterhorn Peak from Horse Creek Pass<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7436.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7436.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Slope to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Slope to Matterhorn Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7437.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7437.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliff<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7439.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7439.jpg\" alt=\"Stanton Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Stanton Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_120249.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_120249.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Whorl Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Whorl Mountain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7429.jpg\" alt=\"Matterhorn Peak from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7436.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Slope to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7437.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7439.jpg\" alt=\"Stanton Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_120249.jpg\" alt=\"Whorl Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-9, #splide-thumb-9 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7429.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7429.jpg\" alt=\"Matterhorn Peak from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Matterhorn Peak from Horse Creek Pass<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7436.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7436.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Slope to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Slope to Matterhorn Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7437.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7437.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliff<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7439.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7439.jpg\" alt=\"Stanton Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Stanton Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_120249.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_120249.jpg\" alt=\"Whorl Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Whorl Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-10\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7434.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7434.jpg\" alt=\"Spiller Creek Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Spiller Creek Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7433.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7433.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patches near Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Snow Patches near Horse Creek Pass<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_120254.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_120254.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Serrated Ridgeline from Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Serrated Ridgeline from Horse Creek Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7431.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7431.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Horse Creek Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7432.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7432.jpg\" alt=\"Serrated Ridgeline\" \/><\/a><\/br>Serrated Ridgeline<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_151120.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_151120.jpg\" width=\"83%\" alt=\"Small Mound\" \/><\/a><\/br>Small Mound<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">On top of which I took a short rest during my ascent.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-10\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7434.jpg\" alt=\"Spiller Creek Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7433.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patches near Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_120254.jpg\" alt=\"Serrated Ridgeline from Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7431.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7432.jpg\" alt=\"Serrated Ridgeline\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_151120.jpg\" alt=\"Small Mound\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-10, #splide-thumb-10 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7434.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7434.jpg\" alt=\"Spiller Creek Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Spiller Creek Valley<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7433.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7433.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patches near Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Snow Patches near Horse Creek Pass<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_120254.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_120254.jpg\" alt=\"Serrated Ridgeline from Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Serrated Ridgeline from Horse Creek Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7431.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7431.jpg\" alt=\"Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Horse Creek Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7432.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7432.jpg\" alt=\"Serrated Ridgeline\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Serrated Ridgeline<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_151120.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_151120.jpg\" alt=\"Small Mound\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Small Mound<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">On top of which I took a short rest during my ascent.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Finally, it&#8217;s the homestretch toward Matterhorn Peak. Expectedly, there was no obvious trail. I simply followed the general direction along the path of least resistance. The southeastern face of Matterhorn Peak presented a mixture of small scree and larger rocks, the scree posed somewhat of a traction issue, though nowhere as bad as the scree field before Sawtooth Pass 4 days prior. The final ascent averaged a 45% (tangent) gradient, making for quite a workout as I battled the thin air at altitude.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-11\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_150425.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_150425.jpg\" alt=\"Spiller Creek Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Spiller Creek Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_151118.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_151118.jpg\" alt=\"Talus Field\" \/><\/a><\/br>Talus Field<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_150538.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_150538.jpg\" alt=\"Creek with Mosses\" \/><\/a><\/br>Creek with Mosses<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_124450.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_124450.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_145012.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_145012.jpg\" alt=\"Dark Clouds beyond Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Dark Clouds beyond Horse Creek Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_122305.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_122305.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_131614.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_131614.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_132441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_132441.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-11\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_150425.jpg\" alt=\"Spiller Creek Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_151118.jpg\" alt=\"Talus Field\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_150538.jpg\" alt=\"Creek with Mosses\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_124450.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_145012.jpg\" alt=\"Dark Clouds beyond Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_122305.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_131614.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_132441.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-11, #splide-thumb-11 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_150425.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_150425.jpg\" alt=\"Spiller Creek Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Spiller Creek Valley<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_151118.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_151118.jpg\" alt=\"Talus Field\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Talus Field<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_150538.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_150538.jpg\" alt=\"Creek with Mosses\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Creek with Mosses<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_124450.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_124450.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_145012.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_145012.jpg\" alt=\"Dark Clouds beyond Horse Creek Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Dark Clouds beyond Horse Creek Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_122305.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_122305.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_131614.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_131614.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_132441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_132441.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Steep Path from Horse Creek Pass<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>I saw some online posts rating Matterhorn Peak as YDS Class 2. However, I recalled making a few moves near the top that were unmistakably Class 3. (Again, there was no trace of an established trail near the top.)<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-12\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_123722.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_123722.jpg\" width=\"87.5%\" alt=\"Steep Slope of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Slope of Matterhorn Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_124452.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_124452.jpg\" width=\"81.5%\" alt=\"Steep Slope of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Slope of Matterhorn Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">(To be clear, it&#8217;s towards the left of this photo, not towards the notch.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_132622.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_132622.jpg\" width=\"87.5%\" alt=\"Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_132911.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_132911.jpg\" width=\"87.5%\" alt=\"Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_132435.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/20250905_132435.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_142125.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/20250905_142125.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Narrow Path to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Narrow Path to Matterhorn Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_144844.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_144844.jpg\" width=\"87.5%\" alt=\"Flowers\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flowers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-12\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_123722.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Slope of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_124452.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Slope of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_132622.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_132911.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_132435.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_144844.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-12, #splide-thumb-12 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_123722.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_123722.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Slope of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Slope of Matterhorn Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_124452.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_124452.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Slope of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Slope of Matterhorn Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">(To be clear, it&#8217;s towards the left of this photo, not towards the notch.)<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_132622.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_132622.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_132911.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_132911.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_132435.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/20250905_132435.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Path to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_142125.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/20250905_142125.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Narrow Path to Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Narrow Path to Matterhorn Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_144844.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_144844.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flowers<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>For the easiest approach, one should aim slightly to the south of Matterhorn Peak, then traverse the final 30m (100 ft) of ridge to reach the summit. The peak&#8217;s summit was directly above a couloir (which I detoured to visit during my descent, see p3-4 below), creating an exceptionally steep face. By veering southward, the exposure became far more manageable.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-13\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_143433.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/20250905_143433.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Rock Tower\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_143947.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/20250905_143947.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Rock Tower\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rock Tower<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_143644.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_143644.jpg\" width=\"87.5%\" alt=\"Ridgeline to Whorl Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ridgeline to Whorl Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_143057.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_143057.jpg\" width=\"87.5%\" alt=\"Couloir\" \/><\/a><\/br>Couloir<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_143042.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_143042.jpg\" width=\"87.5%\" alt=\"Rocky Cliff\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rocky Cliff<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_133747.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_133747.jpg\" width=\"87.5%\" alt=\"Homestretch before Matterhorn Peak Summit\" \/><\/a><\/br>Homestretch before Matterhorn Peak Summit<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_141218.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_141218.jpg\" width=\"87.5%\" alt=\"Summit Block of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Summit Block of Matterhorn Peak<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-13\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_143433.jpg\" alt=\"Rock Tower\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_143644.jpg\" alt=\"Ridgeline to Whorl Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_143057.jpg\" alt=\"Couloir\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_143042.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Cliff\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_133747.jpg\" alt=\"Homestretch before Matterhorn Peak Summit\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_141218.jpg\" alt=\"Summit Block of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-13, #splide-thumb-13 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_143433.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/20250905_143433.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Rock Tower\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_143947.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/20250905_143947.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Rock Tower\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rock Tower<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_143644.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_143644.jpg\" alt=\"Ridgeline to Whorl Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ridgeline to Whorl Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_143057.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_143057.jpg\" alt=\"Couloir\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Couloir<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_143042.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_143042.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Cliff\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rocky Cliff<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_133747.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_133747.jpg\" alt=\"Homestretch before Matterhorn Peak Summit\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Homestretch before Matterhorn Peak Summit<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_141218.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_141218.jpg\" alt=\"Summit Block of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Summit Block of Matterhorn Peak<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Finally, I reached the summit of Matterhorn Peak at 1:40pm. The true summit was a bit exposed, but there were safer areas just a few steps away.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-14\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_140552.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_140552.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Summit of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Summit of Matterhorn Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Somewhat exposed on these rocks, but there were other safer areas around.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_140542.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_140542.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Rocks off Matterhorn Peak Summit\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rocks off Matterhorn Peak Summit<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Offering me some space to walk around.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7491.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7491.jpg\" alt=\"Register Box on Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Register Box on Matterhorn Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I didn&#8217;t poke into it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7461.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7461.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge off Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sawtooth Ridge off Matterhorn Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A series of very exposed peaks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7459.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7459.jpg\" width=\"44.5%\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7440.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7440.jpg\" width=\"44.5%\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sawtooth Ridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The Dragtooth (left) \/ Blacksmith Peak (right)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-14\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_140552.jpg\" alt=\"Summit of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_140542.jpg\" alt=\"Rocks off Matterhorn Peak Summit\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7491.jpg\" alt=\"Register Box on Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7461.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge off Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7459.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-14, #splide-thumb-14 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_140552.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_140552.jpg\" alt=\"Summit of Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Summit of Matterhorn Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Somewhat exposed on these rocks, but there were other safer areas around.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_140542.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_140542.jpg\" alt=\"Rocks off Matterhorn Peak Summit\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rocks off Matterhorn Peak Summit<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Offering me some space to walk around.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7491.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7491.jpg\" alt=\"Register Box on Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Register Box on Matterhorn Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I didn&#8217;t poke into it.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7461.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7461.jpg\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge off Matterhorn Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sawtooth Ridge off Matterhorn Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A series of very exposed peaks.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7459.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7459.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sawtooth Ridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The Dragtooth<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7459.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7459.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7440.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7440.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sawtooth Ridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The Dragtooth (left) \/ Blacksmith Peak (right)<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The summit of Matterhorn Peak offered panoramic views of endless peaks and valleys lining the horizon, giving me the sense of standing at the center of a universe called &#8220;Sierra Nevada.&#8221; This feeling of centrality was enhanced by Matterhorn Peak&#8217;s prominence <span style=\"font-size: small;\">(it was the northernmost 12,000-foot peak in the Sierra Nevada)<\/span>, and by the various ridgelines extending from it to divide watersheds\u2014as if a king were apportioning territories among his vassals.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-15\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_140150.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_140150.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7496.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7496.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains and Valleys\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains and Valleys<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_140145.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_140145.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7446.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7446.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7447.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7447.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_140227.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_140227.jpg\" width=\"83%\" alt=\"Mountain to the East\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountain to the East<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A ridgeline connecting Horse Creek Peak, Twin Peaks, Virginia Peak and Stanton Peak.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7494.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7494.jpg\" alt=\"Spiller Creek Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Spiller Creek Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7463.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7463.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains beyond Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains beyond Sawtooth Ridge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-15\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_140150.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7496.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains and Valleys\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_140145.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7446.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7447.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_140227.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain to the East\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7494.jpg\" alt=\"Spiller Creek Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7463.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains beyond Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-15, #splide-thumb-15 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the summit of Matterhorn Peak.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_140150.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_140150.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7496.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7496.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains and Valleys\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains and Valleys<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_140145.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_140145.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7446.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7446.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7447.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7447.jpg\" alt=\"Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Valley<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_140227.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_140227.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain to the East\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountain to the East<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A ridgeline connecting Horse Creek Peak, Twin Peaks, Virginia Peak and Stanton Peak.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7494.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7494.jpg\" alt=\"Spiller Creek Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Spiller Creek Valley<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7463.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7463.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains beyond Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains beyond Sawtooth Ridge<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, while visibility remained generally good that afternoon, distant southern views were still hazy, likely remnants from the Garnet Fire. Nevertheless, I could still discern the contours of several peaks, including the other two candidates for my hike this day: Mt Conness and Excelsior Mountain.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-16\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7441.jpg\" alt=\"Whorl Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Whorl Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7498C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7498C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7442.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7442.jpg\" alt=\"Peak 12000\" \/><\/a><\/br>Peak 12000<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7443C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7443C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7444C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7444C.jpg\"alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Southeast<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7451C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7451C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7465.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7465.jpg\" alt=\"Northwestern Part of Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Northwestern Part of Sawtooth Ridge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-16\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7441.jpg\" alt=\"Whorl Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7498C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7442.jpg\" alt=\"Peak 12000\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7443C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7444C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7451C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7465.jpg\" alt=\"Northwestern Part of Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-16, #splide-thumb-16 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the summit of Matterhorn Peak.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7441.jpg\" alt=\"Whorl Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Whorl Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7498C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7498C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7442.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7442.jpg\" alt=\"Peak 12000\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Peak 12000<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7443C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7443C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7444C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7444C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Southeast<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7451C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7451C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7465.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7465.jpg\" alt=\"Northwestern Part of Sawtooth Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Northwestern Part of Sawtooth Ridge<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-17\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7445.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7445.jpg\" alt=\"Finger Peaks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Finger Peaks<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7448C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7448C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7449C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7449C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7454C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7454C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain to the East\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountain to the East<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7490C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7490C.jpg\" alt=\"Fields to the Northeast\" \/><\/a><\/br>Fields to the Northeast<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7492.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7492.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patches near Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Snow Patches near Horse Creek Pass<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7500.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7500.jpg\" alt=\"Alpine Ponds\" \/><\/a><\/br>Alpine Ponds<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7460.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7460.jpg\" alt=\"Eagle Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Eagle Peak<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-17\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7445.jpg\" alt=\"Finger Peaks\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7448C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7449C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7454C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain to the East\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7490C.jpg\" alt=\"Fields to the Northeast\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7492.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patches near Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7500.jpg\" alt=\"Alpine Ponds\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7460.jpg\" alt=\"Eagle Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-17, #splide-thumb-17 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the summit of Matterhorn Peak.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7445.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7445.jpg\" alt=\"Finger Peaks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Finger Peaks<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7448C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7448C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7449C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7449C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7454C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7454C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountain to the East\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountain to the East<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7490C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7490C.jpg\" alt=\"Fields to the Northeast\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Fields to the Northeast<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7492.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7492.jpg\" alt=\"Snow Patches near Horse Creek Pass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Snow Patches near Horse Creek Pass<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7500.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7500.jpg\" alt=\"Alpine Ponds\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Alpine Ponds<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7460.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7460.jpg\" alt=\"Eagle Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Eagle Peak<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7467_DSC_7489-23.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7467_DSC_7489-23.jpg\" alt=\"View from Matterhorn Peak Summit\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>View from Matterhorn Peak Summit<\/p><\/div>\n<p>As usual, there was video to commemorate the moment:<br \/>\n<video controls width=\"100%\" poster=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/Matterhorn_Thumb.jpg\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/Matterhorn_2160p60_H265_20Mbps.mp4\"><\/video><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">15 seconds, 2160p60fps, H265 only, 20Mbps\/40MB file size.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>I stayed on the summit of Matterhorn Peak for about half an hour before starting my descent at 2:10pm.<br \/>\nWhile descending from Matterhorn Peak, I noticed the eastern skies darkening ominously. My concern deepened as the rumble of thunder reached my ears, prompting me to expediate my descent. (This caught me somewhat off guard, as the weather forecast had indicated minimal chances of rain\/storm that day.) The clouds loomed menacingly to the east, roughly over Excelsior Mountain and Mt Conness, the other two candidates for my hike that day. Fortunately, the wind never pushed the clouds in my direction, and I remained dry throughout the remainder of my descent.<\/p>\n<p>I combined most of the photos taken during my descent into the slideshows earlier. So fast forward to the end of the day, where I felt the tranquil waters of Twin Lakes and the mountains across them bathed in soft twilight colors deserved an exhibition of their own.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-18\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_184532.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_184532.jpg\" width=\"96.5%\" alt=\"Mountains across Robinson Creek Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains across Robinson Creek Valley<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7507.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7507.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Robinson Creek Valley\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains across Robinson Creek Valley<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Glowing against the setting sun.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_185804.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_185804.jpg\" width=\"96.5%\" alt=\"Upper Twin Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Upper Twin Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_185844.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_185844.jpg\" width=\"96.5%\" alt=\"Twin Lakes\" \/><\/a><\/br>Twin Lakes<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_190748.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_190748.jpg\" width=\"96.5%\" alt=\"Trail against Glowing Horizon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail against Glowing Horizon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-18\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_184532.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Robinson Creek Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7507.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Robinson Creek Valley\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_185804.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Twin Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_185844.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Lakes\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails-s\/20250905_190748.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Glowing Horizon\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-18, #splide-thumb-18 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_184532.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_184532.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Robinson Creek Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains across Robinson Creek Valley<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/DSC_7507.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/DSC_7507.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Robinson Creek Valley\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains across Robinson Creek Valley<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Glowing against the setting sun.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_185804.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_185804.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Twin Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Upper Twin Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_185844.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_185844.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Lakes\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Twin Lakes<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/20250905_190748.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/05\/thumbnails\/20250905_190748.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Glowing Horizon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail against Glowing Horizon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Finally, I got back to the trailhead at 7:17pm, concluding the hike in 11.5 hours.<\/p>\n<h3>September 6: Driving back to San Francisco<\/h3>\n<p>I didn&#8217;t have much planned for the next day, September 6, except driving back to the San Francisco Bay Area from Bridgeport. This drive was expected to take 4 hours through Stanislaus National Forest, affording me ample opportunities to pause along the way and savor the scenery. However, I found that Stanislaus National Forest offered fewer notable attractions than the Tioga Road I had taken through the Sierra Nevada two days prior. so I combined this day&#8217;s activities with the previous day&#8217;s post.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/0906_1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-m\/0906_1.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Sawtooth Ridge from Road\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/0906_2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-m\/0906_2.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Sierra Nevada Mountains from Road\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sierra Nevada Mountains from Road<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Fresh off Bridgeport there were impressive sights of Sierra Nevada Mountains, including Sawtooth Ridge (left), extending from Matterhorn Peak which I climbed the previous day.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<p>The most notable attraction along the way was undoubtedly Leavitt Falls, a striking multi-tiered waterfall complete with its own observation deck. Upon stepping out of the car, I initially overlooked the observation deck and instead followed a faint trail through the woods to a clearing above a cliff that offered an excellent view of the waterfall and the pond below it (left). On my return, I discovered the observation deck, which provided an altogether different perspective\u2014revealing additional tiers of the falls visible upstream (right).<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7519.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7519.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Leavitt Falls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7520.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7520.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Leavitt Falls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Leavitt Falls<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/20250906_110649.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-m\/20250906_110649.jpg\" width=\"46.05%\" alt=\"Leavitt Meadow\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7514.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7514.jpg\" width=\"51.85%\" alt=\"Leavitt Meadow\" \/><\/a><\/br>Leavitt Meadow<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Additionally, the observation deck offered views of Leavitt Meadow below.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Continuing on, the next attraction was &#8220;Column of the Giants,&#8221; a columnar basalt formation accessible via a short trail. These formations were created when a lava flow was blocked by a natural dam. As the lava cooled, internal forces produced hexagonal fissures throughout the rock. Two distinctive layers of basalt were visible: the bottom layer displayed more regular, perpendicular columns, while the upper layer featured columns pointing in more random directions. This variation likely resulted from two separate lava flows occurring at different times.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-21\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/20250906_120246.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/20250906_120246.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/a><\/br>Columns of the Giants<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7522.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7522.jpg\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/a><\/br>Columns of the Giants<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/20250906_120514.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/20250906_120514.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/a><\/br>Columns of the Giants<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7527.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7527.jpg\" alt=\"Rock Columns\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rock Columns<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7524.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7524.jpg\" alt=\"Rock Columns\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rock Columns<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7525.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7525.jpg\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/a><\/br>Columns of the Giants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-21\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-s\/20250906_120246.jpg\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7522.jpg\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-s\/20250906_120514.jpg\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7527.jpg\" alt=\"Rock Columns\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7524.jpg\" alt=\"Rock Columns\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7525.jpg\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-21, #splide-thumb-21 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of &#8220;Column of the Giants&#8221;.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/20250906_120246.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/20250906_120246.jpg\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Columns of the Giants<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7522.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7522.jpg\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Columns of the Giants<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/20250906_120514.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/20250906_120514.jpg\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Columns of the Giants<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7527.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7527.jpg\" alt=\"Rock Columns\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rock Columns<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7524.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7524.jpg\" alt=\"Rock Columns\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rock Columns<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7525.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7525.jpg\" alt=\"Columns of the Giants\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Columns of the Giants<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Finally, I made another stop at Donnell Vista. Though it hadn&#8217;t been part of my original itinerary, a &#8220;scenic overlook&#8221; sign along the road piqued my curiosity, and I&#8217;m glad I followed it\u2014the views did not disappoint. After a brief walk from the parking lot, the vista revealed Donnell Lake, a reservoir formed by a dam, its shores lined with granite cliffs that bore some degree of resemblance to Yosemite Valley.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-22\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/20250906_123331C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/20250906_123331C.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Donnell Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Donnell Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7530.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7530.jpg\" alt=\"Donnell Dam\" \/><\/a><\/br>Donnell Dam<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7531.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7531.jpg\" alt=\"Donnell Dam\" \/><\/a><\/br>Donnell Dam<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7532.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7532.jpg\" alt=\"Cascades along Middle Fork Stanislaus River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cascades along Middle Fork Stanislaus River<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7533.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7533.jpg\" alt=\"Dardanelles Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Dardanelles Mountains<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-22\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-s\/20250906_123331C.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Donnell Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7530.jpg\" alt=\"Donnell Dam\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7531.jpg\" alt=\"Donnell Dam\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7532.jpg\" alt=\"Cascades along Middle Fork Stanislaus River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7533.jpg\" alt=\"Dardanelles Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-22, #splide-thumb-22 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/20250906_123331C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/20250906_123331C.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Donnell Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Donnell Lake<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7530.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7530.jpg\" alt=\"Donnell Dam\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Donnell Dam<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7531.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7531.jpg\" alt=\"Donnell Dam\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Donnell Dam<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7532.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7532.jpg\" alt=\"Cascades along Middle Fork Stanislaus River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cascades along Middle Fork Stanislaus River<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/DSC_7533.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/09\/06\/thumbnails\/DSC_7533.jpg\" alt=\"Dardanelles Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Dardanelles Mountains<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>That was the end of the (remotely) scenic part of my drive. After that, I continued driving towards the coast and reached the Bay area just in time for a dinner with some friends, after which I made it to the airport for the flights home.<\/p>\n<p>END<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The fifth day of my 2025 Labor Day trip to California. After getting some rest the previous day, today I took on Matterhorn Peak that lay on the boundary of Yosemite National Park and Toiyabe National Forest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[427,677,2],"tags":[679],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10146"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10146"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10229,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10146\/revisions\/10229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}