Mount Wilson

Mount Wilson is a 14,254-foot summit in the San Miguel Mountains and stands as the highest peak in this mountain range. The surroundings feature steep rocky faces, snow-laden slopes, and several small glacial formations near the top.

The peak was named after A.D. Wilson, a surveyor who participated in the first recorded ascent during the Hayden Survey expedition in 1874. The region experienced a silver mining boom in the 1880s, which significantly shaped economic activity in the area.

The mountain was a center for silver mining operations during the 1880s, with several active mines scattered across its slopes. Today, abandoned structures and old pathways serve as reminders of this industrial past.

The climb requires technical climbing skills and equipment such as ice axes and crampons due to persistent snowfields on the slopes. Visitors should prepare for harsh weather conditions and significant elevation gain when planning an ascent.

The summit holds four small glaciers that mark the southernmost glacier formations in the Rocky Mountains. The northern slopes are additionally studded with nine rock glaciers, making this location an exceptionally rare glacial refuge.