Region
Highlights
- Mount Wilson is a Colorado 14er and the highest in the San Miguel Mountains, a subrange of the San Juan Mountains.
- One of the most difficult 14ers to climb; the easiest route is a Class 3 scramble on loose rock. The final, airy moves to the summit give many pause.
- Its neighbors are 14ers Wilson Peak and sentimental favorite El Diente.
- The mile-long ridge traverse between Mount Wilson and El Diente is one of the 4 great Colorado 14er traverses.
Routes
1 climb • 11.8 mi • 3,922 ft gain • 10 hr 16 min
1 climb • 12.8 mi • 4,615 ft gain • 10 hr 41 min
Latest climbs
"Amazing day in the San Juans. Started from Rock of Ages and went for the traverse first. Soloed El Diente's north buttress, lost bite valve to my camelbak and slowly leaked water for the rest of the day. Met two guys at the summit who I teamed up with for the traverse. Clouds moved in on final pitch of Wilson followed by hail in just a matter of minutes. Had to descend the now iced over crux move as we heard rocks crackle around us. Parted ways in navajo basin and reclimbed rock of ages saddle. Thunder storms came in more earnestly so I waited 90 minutes before weather cleared to go for wilson peak. Over 15 hours car to car." — cheeseishappiness • Jul 22, 2022
"We started the traverse from El Diente sometime around 11:00 AM and made our way back to the point where we met the traverse on the south slopes route. Our last 14er turned out to be a really fun route and we made our way over to Mt. Wilson in near perfect weather. The final obstacle may have been the hardest single move on a Colorado 14er and I thought it was the perfect way to finish. The view from the summit could very well be in contention for the best from a 14er. After some time on the summit we made our way back across the traverse, which went much quicker this time, back to El Diente's south slopes route arriving around 5:00 PM. We got back to camp a little after dark and built a small campfire so we would have something to drink some wine around." — Yosemike • Oct 7, 2013
"Big exposure on final summit ridge with dark, dark clouds right overhead... adrenaline. See my summit log for El Diente for trip report from the El Diente-Wilson ridge traverse." — scott • Jul 11, 2013
"Began at Rock of Ages Trailhead at 9pm, July 5. Hiked about 3 miles and stopped to set up camp at midnight. Had some rain and quite a bit of wind. Slept until about 3:45am; began hiking again at 4:30am. Peaked El Diente at 9:20. Completed the great El Diente/Mount Wilson traverse and peaked Mount Wilson at 12:10pm. Returned to the Rock of Ages trailhead, finishing at 6pm." — Globetrotter87 • Jul 6, 2013
"There was a bit of snow in places on the mountain. Slipped on it in 3 different areas and nearly fell down the mountain.
Mount Wilson was my San Juan finisher of the ranked 14ers. Did not hike El Diente.
19th 14er, and the last one I would ever do." — SummitsofBC • Sep 13, 2010
Photos
Awards
Challenges
About peakery awards
Log climbs on peakery to earn awards:
Peak Badges: Earn a special badge for each unique peak you summit. See all of your badges on your Badges page.
First Ascent Award: Only 1 available per peak. Goes to the first peakery member to log a successful summit of a peak. Snag this award and the peak will forever bear your name.
King of the Mountain Award: Only 1 available per peak. Summit a peak more times than any other member. Beware: this award can be lost!
Summit Steward: Summit a peak at least 5 times to become one of its Summit Stewards. As Steward of a peak, you’re encouraged to keep that peak’s info up-to-date on peakery and spread goodwill on your future climbs up the peak.