Monday 30 June 2014
Wilson Peak is a 14,017-foot mountain peak in the U.S. state of Colorado. It is located in the Lizard Head Wilderness of the Uncompahgre National Forest, in the southern San Juan Mountains. It is the highest point in San Miguel County. Its base is accessible by four wheel drive roads 11 miles west of Telluride, Colorado. Wilson Peak is part of a compact range of mountains, the San Miguel Range often considered distinct from the wider San Juan Range. Two additional fourteen thousand foot peaks are within 2 miles of its summit: Mount Wilson (14,256 feet) and El Diente Peak (14,159 feet). Gladstone peak (13,913 feet) is located on the ridge between Wilson Peak and Mount Wilson. Also known as the Wilson Massif, the San Miguels are some of the southernmost San Juans. Wilson Peak is climbed by hundreds each year, primarily in summer months, but winter ascents are not unusual and sometimes serve as the beginning of backcountry skiing descents. Summer ascents of the peak are considered technical climbs, meaning that scrambling over rock is required (with hand holds being used for balance) and ropes typically not employed. The easiest traditional route begins at the end of the Silver Pick Road, climbs south through Silver Pick Basin to the Rock of Ages Saddle (between Silver Pick and Navajo Basins) at 13,100 feet, then east to 13,200 feet on the saddle between Gladstone and Wilson Peaks, then finally northeast to the summit. Round trip distance is 8 miles. Source
