Wilson Peak, Mountain summit in San Miguel County, Colorado, US
Wilson Peak is a 14,020.4-foot (4,273 m) summit in the Lizard Head Wilderness of Uncompahgre National Forest, in the northwestern San Juan Mountains of Colorado. It is the highest point in San Miguel County and the third highest of the Wilson massif, after Mount Wilson and El Diente Peak. Gladstone Peak stands on the ridge between Wilson Peak and Mount Wilson.
The mountain was named after A.D. Wilson, the chief topographer of the Hayden Survey in the 1800s. Before that, indigenous peoples of the region knew it by the name Shandoka, which translates to Storm Maker.
The peak's profile, seen from the east and north, has been used in television advertising for Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, and as a backdrop for Jeep off-road commercials. Because of its proximity to Telluride, local companies and festivals put its image in their advertising, and it appears prominently in Quentin Tarantino's film The Hateful Eight.
The route to the summit requires technical climbing skills and follows the Rock of Ages Trail for a round trip of about 10 miles. Visitors should prepare for steep terrain and exposed rock sections that demand climbing experience and proper gear.
A nonprofit organization purchased private land sections to secure public access to the mountain after years of disputes between landowners and climbers. This action opened the way for many more visitors to reach the summit and explore the area.
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