Lizard Head Wilderness

The 41,496 acre Lizard Head Wilderness lies astride the San Juan Mountains, (10 miles southwest of Telluride and 40 miles northeast of Cortez) within Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests. The area is named for a prominent rock formation said to look like a lizard's head. Lizard Head itself is 13,113 feet (3,997 m) and is a volcanic spire of crumbling rock. The summit of Lizard Head Peak has been voted as one of Colorado's most dangerous and difficult climbs. The Wilderness also includes the headwaters of the west fork of the Dolores River. 

The Lizard Head Wilderness is part of the 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. This System of lands provides clean air, water, and habitat critical for rare and endangered plants and animals. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities like hiking, backpacking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, horse packing, bird watching, stargazing, and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. You play an important role in helping to "secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness" as called for by the Congress of the United States through the Wilderness Act of 1964.

Backcountry wilderness trails in this infrequently visited wilderness are mostly above 9,000 feet in elevation and are strenuous and should be only be attempted by more advanced backpackers with adequate experience and equipment.

The area includes three prominent fourteeners: 

• El Diente Peak (14,159 ft / 4316 m)
• Wilson Peak (14,017 ft / 4272 m)
• Mount Wilson (14,246 ft / 4342 m)