Lizard Head Trail
The Lizard Head is considered by many climbers to be the most difficult summit in Colorado. The crumbly neck of reddish- gray volcanic tuff rises 400 feet from its base to reach an elevation of 13,113 feet. The first known people to reach the top of the pinnacle were Albert Ellingwood and Barton Hoag who pioneered a route up the west face in 1920. Currently an estimated 20 to 30 people scale the peak each year, but the treacherous climb is definitely not for everyone. Impressive as it looks, the spire is little more than a heap of loose and unstable volcanic debris. Many people hike the Lizard Head Trail only as far as the top of Bilk Basin and then return to Highway 145 by way of the Cross Mountain Trail.
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Directions to: Lizard Head Trail
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Telluride |
| Length | 11.2 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 2,580 ft |
| Skill Level | Well marked, well maintained. |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Season | Midsummer through mid-fall. The higher parts of the trail are usually covered with snow from November through early July. |
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