Summary 
| Difficulty | 3 Intermediate |
| Length | 9.0 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
6700 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+1250, -1250 feet round trip |
| Navigation | Road and map |
| Time | Full day |
| Season | December through mid-April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Low |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Calaveras Dome, Tamarack |
| Start | Junction of Cabbage Patch Road and Highway 4, 0.2 miles west of the Cabbage Patch Highway Maintenance Station. The parking area is very small. |
Description
The terrain in the vicinity of Mattley Ridge offers numerous route possibilities. In this tour, the most direct route to Mattley Ridge is converted into a loop by descending Horse Gulch. The loop is 1.6 miles longer than ascending and descending the most direct way but the descent by the loop is less steep.
As with all tours to Mattley Ridge, the views are excellent.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.5
Elevation change: +100 feet
From the trailhead (1) ski north (right) on the snow-covered road for 0.5 mile until you reach a road junction (2). The road to the west (left) leads to Blue Creek Point. This tour continues northeast (straight).
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.5 - 0.9
Elevation change: +50 feet
Continue northeast (straight) on the road for 0.4 mile until you reach a road junction (3). The road to the northeast (straight) leads to Thompson Meadow. This tour continues to the northwest (left) on Cabbage Patch Road.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.9 - 1.1
Elevation change: +50 feet
Turn northwest (left) to stay on Cabbage Patch Road and continue for 0.2 mile until you reach a "Y" in the road (4).
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 1.1 - 1.5
Elevation change: +100 feet
Continue on the north (right) fork for 0.4 mile until you reach a road junction (5) where the road crests. Cabbage Patch Road continues north (straight). This tour continues by turning east (right) onto Mattley Road.
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 1.5 - 2.4
Elevation change: +300 feet
Turn east (right) onto Mattley Road and follow it for 0.9 mile until you reach the highest point on the road (6).
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles: 2.4 - 3.7
Elevation change: +650 feet
Leave the main road and ascend the ridge to the north for 1.3 miles until you reach Peak 7955 (7) the highest point on Mattley Ridge. As you near the ridgetop you will encounter a snow survey station and then pass through some trees before reaching the top. But knowing you are at the highest point is not easy because the ridgetop is almost perfectly level for 0.3 mile.
Waypoint 7 to 8
Miles: 3.7 - 4.0
Elevation change: Nil
Ski northwest along the ridge for 0.3 mile until you reach the north end of the open area (8). At this point you need to locate the road that heads west through the trees.
Waypoint 8 to 9
Miles: 4.0 - 5.1
Elevation change: -500 feet
Follow the road at first west and then southwest for a total of 1.1 mile until you reach Cabbage Patch Road (9). The lower part of this descent is in Horse Gulch.
Waypoint 9 to 5
Miles: 5.1 - 7.5
Elevation change: -450 feet
Ski generally south (left) on Cabbage Patch Road for 2.4 miles until you reach the junction with Mattley Road (5).
Waypoint 5 to 1
Miles: 7.5 - 9.0
Elevation change: -300 feet
Retrace the route for 1.5 miles back to the trailhead (1).
