Uncompahgre Wilderness: backcountry campsite options between Uncompahgre and Matterhorn (Upper East Fork area)?

[RyanP]

I am planning a backpacking trip in the Uncompahgre Wilderness in mid-July (Day 1 is the approach from the East Fork TH; Day 2 is a side trip to Wetterhorn Peak) and am trying to figure out where to plan on camping the first night. I have three main criteria (spectacular scenery is of course also a bonus):

1. flat--I don't sleep well on lumpy terrain or slopes
2. decent water nearby--in particular, I would like to avoid water contaminated by mining or herds of sheep
3. somewhat protected from the elements (it will be on the first night of a trip, so I trust the weather forecast more than I would later in the trip--it doesn't have to be completely below treeline)

Does anyone know if there are decent campsite options (for these criteria) in the general area highlighted in red? Ideally, the region I marked as "C" will have something, as that would make Day 1 do-able but also situate us well for Day 3, in which we will head over to the Middle Fork trail and Wetterhorn Basin). This trip will start mid-week, so I'm not too worried about competing with others for campsites. The spots marked "A" and "B" look relatively flat on the map, but are also higher/more exposed and make for a tough first day (and I'd be more worried about marmots and such gnawing on the stuff we leave at camp while we climb Wetterhorn).



Thanks in advance for any info! (feel free to PM me if you prefer)

(tagging @IntrepidXJ, @Diane Greer, @ZLmtns, @Brendan S, based on previous posts)

 

[Kullaberg63]

C would be okay. As you say the other two are exposed - good weather only.

We did Wetterhorn and barely made it off before thunderstorms. We then went to camp near Uncomphagre and did that and Matterhorn the next morning. On the way over storms chased us down to 11800' in El Paso creek where we happened upon a good camp on a bench deep in the woods

Passing near your A and B I could not imagine camping there that day

Day one, Wetterhorn Peak | Strava

Mini backpack w Bjorn & Skotti | Strava

www.strava.com

This is maybe from around the B zone:

https://flic.kr/p/xhJC1N

 

[RyanP]

Thanks for the input! We'll definitely plan on camping in the C region or even earlier if needed.

I'm guessing your profile pic is from that same trip? (Uncompahgre Peak?) I love all the lingering ribbons of snow in both that photo and the one you just posted (unfortunately, it's been a dry year so we won't have that)