:''This article is about the mountain in Colorado. For other peaks, see
List of peaks named Mount Wilson''
'Wilson Peak' is a 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 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 of its summit:
Mount Wilson () and
El Diente Peak ().
Gladstone peak () 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
Class 3 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 , then east to on the saddle between Gladstone and Wilson Peaks, then finally northeast to the summit. Round trip distance is . Use of this route has come into question since 2004 when private landowners failed to come to an agreement with the
US Forest Service regarding hiking access. Government signs now warn against trespassing along the traditional route.
Wilson Peak in popular culture
The stately and classically-mountainous profile of Wilson Peak as viewed from the East and North has led to its use as a symbol of rugged mountains in advertising. Wilson Peak features prominently in many
television advertisements for
Coors Brewing Company which is located in
Golden, Colorado. The
Jeep automobile corporation also often uses Wilson Peak as a backdrop in its television commercials, particularly in advertisements for its off-road models.
Because of its proximity to Telluride, Colorado, many local companies and festivals use images of Wilson Peak in the advertising to convey the beauty and mountainous nature of the area.
See also
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Colorado fourteeners
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Colorado mountain peaks
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Colorado mountain ranges
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Mountain peaks of North America
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Mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains
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Mountain peaks of the United States
External links
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Traditional Route, with discussion of private land restrictions
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Wilson Peak on Distantpeak.com
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A gallery of photographs of Wilson Peak
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Topographic map