Silver Pick Trail and El Diente Access Update
The formerly recommended route utilized the Silver Pick Trail, which was closed for public access in 2005 by a private landowner. In October of 2007, The Colorado office of the Trust for Public Land (TPL) finalized the purchase of 230 acres of properties in the Silver Pick Basin needed to help reestablish public access to all peaks in the Wilson Group through this access point. While the land purchase is the first step in reopening access through Silver Pick Basin, this route will remain closed until some easements are formally established and necessary trail improvements are completed. The Forest Service currently recommends accessing El Diente via Navajo Lake for a north ascent or via Kilpacker Basin for a south ascent.
According to a recent TPL press release, the earliest projection for the reestablishment of public access through Silver Pick Basin is Fall of 2008. Other partners in this project estimate that 2009 is a likely timeframe. The property will be conveyed to the US Forest Service at a later time.
Updates on the situation will be posted here as they develop. To respect the agreements reached in this issue, please do not attempt to access any of the peaks in the Wilson Group via Silver Pick Basin until work in the area is complete.
Questions/Answers
1. Question: What route could I use to skirt the private land in Silver Pick Basin?
Answer: There are no alternative routes through Silver Pick Basin at this time.
2. Question: Can I still access El Diente and the other two Fourteeners in this group(Wilson Peak and Mount Wilson)? How?
Answer: Yes, there is access to El Diente, Wilson Peak, and Mount Wilson from six of the other wilderness trailheads: Navajo, Kilpacker, Cross Mountain, Lizard Head Pass, Bilk Basin, and Woods Lake. The Navajo Trail is the shortest, most direct route into Navajo Basin. Please note that campfires are prohibited in the entire Navajo Basin – Navajo Lake area. This area is clearly marked on the Trails Illustrated® – TOPO Map #141.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
The above information does not replace the need to consult additional maps and Colorado Fourteener Guidebooks for more detailed route descriptions. We suggest checking multiple resources before departing on any hike. Keep in mind that not all guidebooks list this recommended route and that each guidebook’s description or route name may vary slightly.
Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces
Visitors are encouraged to climb these peaks in the early summer season so as to travel mainly on snow to reduce impacts. Travel on snow and rock instead of the tundra wherever possible.