Access Update: Wilson Peak
August 3, 2011
The Forest Service announces the opening of the new Rock of Ages Trail (#429), located about 15 miles southwest of Telluride, Colorado. Opening this 3.7-mile hiking trail concludes a seven-year effort by the Forest Service and other organizations to restore public access to Wilson Peak, a popular fourteener in the Lizard Head Wilderness. A trail map and directions to the new Rock of Ages trailhead are posted on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest website. The trail begins at an elevation of 10,383 feet at the Rock of Ages Trailhead, ascends through spectacular Elk Creek and Silver Pick basins, and ends at an elevation of 13,400 feet at the Rock of Ages Saddle. This 3.7-mile trail is open to horse and foot travel. The new Rock of Ages Trail provides a shorter route to these peaks than is currently offered by existing trails. Wilson Peak is among three 14,000-plus foot peaks in the Lizard Head Wilderness that annually draw thousands of climbing enthusiasts.
In July of 2004, a traditional route to Wilson Peak through private lands in Silver Pick Basin was closed. During the ensuing years, the Forest Service joined forces with The Trust for Public Land (TPL) to restore public access. San Miguel County, the Telluride Mountain Club and the Colorado Mountain Club were also key players in this effort. In October of 2007, TPL took a significant step toward restoring public access by purchasing 230 acres of private land in Silver Pick Basin, including key parcels on the southwest ridge of Wilson Peak. The Forest Service made further progress in August of 2009 by completing the environmental analysis for the Rock of Ages Trail, however a trail easement across a private parcel in the upper basin was still needed to fully restore access. In May of 2011, the Forest Service obtained the needed trail easement. Construction of a new trailhead parking facility and access road were completed this week. TPL continues to own the property they purchased in 2007 and is working to convey that land to the Forest Service.
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Wilson Peak by Todd Caudle
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Access Update: Lincoln, Democrat, Bross
Since 2005, the CMC has worked with the US Forest Service, private property owners, and other partners to reopen legal access to Mounts Lincoln, Bross & Democrat. Access to Mounts Lincoln, Cameron Point, and Mount Democrat has been available beginning in June, 2009 from the Kite Lake trailhead on a conditional basis. The only approved route is to the Cameron/Democrat saddle; up Democrat; over Cameron to Lincoln; return via the trail below the summit of Bross.
The summit of Mount Bross remains closed. Other routes on Democrat such as the south ridge and access to the saddle from above Montgomery Reservoir remain closed to the public. Access to the peaks via Quartzville or Windy Saddle or the southeast ridge of Lincoln also are not open. All legal climbing must be on the signed trails departing from Kite Lake. Please read our press release for more information.
Stakeholders will meet with the property owners at the close of the climbing season for an assessment of results. Watch the CMC web site for postings regarding any changes. |
Access Update: Crestone Peak & Crestone Needle
Access to the peaks from the west via the Cottonwood Creek trail remains closed to the public. CMC is continuing to engage in discussions with the property owners. The Spanish Creek Trail also is closed. There is no parking allowed on the road near the stream crossing where the old sign for Spanish Creek was located.
The South Colony Lakes road on the east side is scheduled to close to motorized access at the first stream crossing at the close of the summer climbing season in October. |