Can you use arcgridread? According to the arcgridread documentation, arcgridread can read gridded data set in ArcGrid ASCII or GridFloat format.
help arcgridread
From the help output:
Format Support
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* ArcGrid ASCII
Also known as Arc ASCII Grid and ESRI ASCII raster format.
Created by the ArcGIS GRIDASCII command.
Data and header are in a single text file.
If a .prj file is present, it will be read also.
Grid values are read into MATLAB as a 2D array of class double.
* GridFloat
Also known as ESRI GridFloat.
Created by the ArcGIS GRIDFLOAT command.
Data and header are in separate (.flt and .hdr) files.
Pass the name of the .flt file (including extension) to arcgridread.
If an optional .prj file is present, it will be read also.
Grid values are read into MATLAB as a 2D array of class single.