San Miguel Peak Roadless Area Trails

San Miguel Peak Roadless Area Trails

The San Miguel Range consists of craggy and difficult peaks located between Molas and Lizard Head passes. A dozen summits top out above 13,000 feet in elevation, many banded by impenetrable cliffs that make route finding a challenge. These impressive peaks tower over alpine cirques graced by delightful lakes, creating some of Colorado’s most breathtaking mountain scenery. A network of trails laces the area and offers hikers abundant opportunities for exploration, including a 20-mile segment of the Colorado Trail. Despite its wilderness qualities, the San Miguel Peak roadless area has never received official wilderness status. Part of the reason lies in the wealth of natural riches here, an area bracketed by the Weminuche and Lizard Head wildernesses. With such magnificent neighbors, the Forest Service and Congress have never felt compelled to propose San Miguel Peak for wilderness designation. While San Miguel Peak lacks the official title of wilderness, it still offers the wild attributes that draw throngs to the Weminuche, Lizard Head, and Mount Sneffels wildernesses. The only difference is that, unlike those areas, these summits don’t quite reach to 14,000 feet, making the region somewhat less attractive to peak baggers. As such, San Miguel Peak provides a desirable alternative to heavily used areas, such as the Chicago Basin portion of the Weminuche Wilderness. Those seeking solitude and alpine challenges would do well to consider San Miguel Peak. This trail guide includes descriptions of Engineer Mountain, Lake Hope, West Lime Creek, Ice Lake Basin, and Colorado Trail.

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