Silver Pick Trail and Mount Wilson Access

The formerly recommended route utilized the Silver Pick Trail, which was closed for public access in 2005 by a private landowner. In October of 2007, The Colorado office of the Trust for Public Land (TPL) finalized the purchase of 230 acres of properties in the Silver Pick Basin needed to help reestablish public access to all peaks in the Wilson Group through this access point. While the land purchase is the first step in reopening access through Silver Pick Basin, this route will remain closed until some easements are formally established and necessary trail improvements are completed.

2010 Access Update:

Public access remains closed through private lands in Silver Pick Basin awaiting reconstruction of the Elk Creek Road (#645). This road is the primary access to the new Rock of Ages Trail which will restore public access through the Basin to Wilson Peak.

Timber removal and road grading contracts on the Elk Creek Road will commence in early June and are expected to be completed by September.

 

Those wanting to climb Wilson Peak have several other options available to them including the Navajo Trail #635 and the Lizard Head Trail (#505).  The Lizard Head Trail can be accessed from either Sunshine Mesa Road #623 or from the trailhead at Lizard Head Pass on US Highway 145.

To respect the agreements reached in this issue, please do not attempt to access any of the peaks in the Wilson Group via Silver Pick Basin until work in the area is complete.  Updates to the status of Wilson Peak access will be posted on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, & Gunnison National Forest website at:http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug/

Questions/Answers

1. Question: What route could I use to skirt the private land in Silver Pick Basin?

Answer: There are no alternative routes through Silver Pick Basin at this time.

2. Question: Can I still access Mount Wilson and the other two Fourteeners in this group(Wilson Peak and El Diente)? How?

Answer: Yes, there is access to Mount Wilson, Wilson Peak, and El Diente from six of the other wilderness trailheads: Navajo, Kilpacker, Cross Mountain, Lizard Head Pass, Bilk Basin, and Woods Lake. The Navajo Trail is the shortest, most direct route into Navajo Basin. Please note that campfires are prohibited in the entire Navajo Basin – Navajo Lake area. This area is clearly marked on the Trails Illustrated® – TOPO Map #141.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

The above information does not replace the need to consult additional maps and Colorado Fourteener Guidebooks for more detailed route descriptions. We suggest checking multiple resources before departing on any hike. Keep in mind that not all guidebooks list this recommended route and that each guidebook’s description or route name may vary slightly.

Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces

Visitors are encouraged to climb these peaks in the early summer season so as to travel mainly on snow to reduce impacts. Travel on snow and rock instead of the tundra wherever possible.