Wilson Peak

Infobox Mountain
Name=Wilson Peak
Photo=San Miguel Mountains.jpg
Caption=Wilson peak (center) in the context of the San Miguel Mountains, also known as the Wilson Massif. Mount Wilson, which is commonly confused with Wilson Peak, is the broad mountain to left. Photographed from the Telluride Ski Resort
Elevation=convert|14017|ft|m|0|abbr=on|lk=on
Range=San Juan Mountains
Location=Colorado, USA
Prominence =
Coordinates = coord|37|51|37|N|107|59|03|W|type:mountain_region:US
Topographic
USGS
First ascent=
Easiest route=Southwest ridge from Silver Pick or Navajo Basins

Wilson Peak is a convert|14017|ft|m|0|sing=on|lk=on 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 convert|11|mi|km|0|lk=on 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 convert|2|mi|km|0 of its summit: Mount Wilson (convert|14256|ft|m|0) and El Diente Peak (convert|14159|ft|m|0). Gladstone peak (convert|13913|ft|m|0) 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 convert|13100|ft|m|-1, then east to convert|13200|ft|m|-1 on the saddle between Gladstone and Wilson Peaks, then finally northeast to the summit. Round trip distance is convert|8|mi|km|0. 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.

ee also

*Colorado fourteeners
*Colorado mountain peaks
*Colorado mountain ranges
*Mountain peaks of North America
*Mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains
*Mountain peaks of the United States

External links

* [http://www.14ers.com/routemain.php?route=wils1&peak=Wilson%20Peak Traditional Route, with discussion of private land restrictions]
* [http://distantpeak.com/web/mountains/n-america/mount_wilson Wilson Peak on Distantpeak.com]
* [http://www.summitpost.org/show/photo_query.pl/object_id/226 A gallery of photographs of Wilson Peak]
* [http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/qpick.php?parmpeak=48 Topographic map]