Lizard Head Wilderness

Lizard Head Wilderness
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
Location	Dolores / San Miguel counties, Colorado, USA
Nearest city	Telluride, CO
Coordinates	37°50′1″N 108°0′49″W / 37.83361°N 108.01361°W / 37.83361; -108.01361Coordinates: 37°50′1″N 108°0′49″W / 37.83361°N 108.01361°W / 37.83361; -108.01361
Area	41,309 acres (167 km2)
Established	January 1, 1980
Governing body	U.S. Forest Service

Cross Peak, Lizard Head Wilderness

The Lizard Head Wilderness is a wilderness area in southwest Colorado. It contains 41,309 acres (167 km²) and is jointly managed by the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests. It is 10 miles (16 km) southwest of the town of Telluride and is named for a prominent rock formation that is 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. Due to the steepness of the cliffs and the poor quality of the rock for fixing ropes, only experienced mountaineers should attempt to summit the spire. Another 37 miles (59 km) of trails in this infrequently visited wilderness, are also strenuous and should be attempted by more advanced backpackers.

The area includes three prominent fourteeners: El Diente Peak (14,159 ft / 4316 m), Wilson Peak (14,017 ft / 4272 m), and Mount Wilson (14,246 ft / 4342 m). The area includes the headwaters of the west fork of the Dolores River.

External links

• Lizard Head Wilderness, hiking trails and map, at Sangres.com
• Wilderness.net wilderness information

Colorado with Lizard Head Wilderness in red

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