Near Wilson Group
Cross Peak Ridge Walk and Lizard Head.
Near Wilson Group
Below the class 4 chimney at Mt. Wilson's summit block. This photo doesn't do the exposure justice.
Near Wilson Group
A view of Wilson Peak, across Navajo Basin from near the summit of El Diente.
Near Wilson Group
In Kilpacker Basin, approaching El Diente's southern slopes at sunrise.
Near Wilson Group
Scrambling along the gendarmes of the Wilson Traverse.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Wilson Group

5.0 (4 Ratings)
A truly epic hike covering three of Colorado's hardest 14ers in one fell swoop.
13.6
mi
Distance
6,934
ft
Gain
extreme
Difficulty
Fall ColorsLakeRiver/CreekViewsWaterfallWildflowersWildlife
Access Issues
If you take a dog on this rxh, you'll be forced to turn around the second you hit the first class 3 area. Leave Fido at home!

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
13.58mi
Distance
6,934ft
Elevation Gain
6,682ft
Elevation Loss
55%
Max Grade
14,202ft
High Point
10,058ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
From Telluride, drive south on CO 145 over Lizard Head Pass. Continue south for 5.1 miles and turn right onto Forest Road (FR) 535. Drive 5 more miles on 2WD dirt road to reach the signed !Kilpacker Trailhead. Turn right and drive 0.1 miles to camping and the start of the trail.Get an early start. 3 AM is a good time - it will be light by the time you start the technical portions and gives you a chance to beat the weather. If weather turns by noon you can evacuate down Navajo Lake Trail back to !Kilpacker Trailhead. If it's still good you can complete the entire route. Start up the Kilpacker Trail, staying right at the junction with El Diente Southern Slopes approach. Don't go up and into Navajo Basin unless you plan to split up these peaks - it takes more time. Summit El Diente and continue across the Wilson Traverse to summit Mt. Wilson. Descend Mt. Wilson Trail into Navajo Basin. Hike up the northern side of the basin via the final portion of the Navajo Lake Trail to reach the Rock of Ages Saddle. From here, hike Wilson Peak Trail to the summit of Wilson Peak. Backtrack back down to the saddle, and head down the other side on the talus of Rock of Ages Trail. Once you reach the road, it's just a class 1 walk out. You'll probably be pretty scraped up after this. There's a stream a mile down the road once you reach the Rock of Ages Trail parking area. It's a good place for a quick dip. This is an absurd "grand slam" of a hike. If it's your kind of thing, check out the Chicago Basin Grand Slam, or string together some routes near Blanca Peak or the Crestones.
History & Background
Wilson Peak may look at least subliminally familiar to many Americans. Unfortunately this isn't due to its climbing history, but to its association with a certain brewery. Yes, it is the mountain in the Coors logo.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Tyler Prince