Wilson peak confusion...

[Mtnman200]

The top of the ridge that Jim Davies mentioned is a possible camping area but definitely has no water.

[Gene913]

If you start at the Rock of Ages trailhead and are headed toward Silver Pick Basin, you are on Trail No. 429.
As you ascend into Elk Creek basin, Trail 429 intersects with the Elk Creek trail. (Bill's route map shows this intersection)
If you get off Trail 429, and hike a short distance further up into the basin on the Elk Creek trail, there are established backcountry sites with access to water that are also treed and secluded. Much better option than the above-treeline and water-less sites others mentioned. The sites, complete with fire rings, are on climber's right after the grade mellows and the Elk Creek trail begins to flatten out.

[Broken Knee]

Excellent beta! Thanks.

[GeorgiaTyler]

So it was actually not confusing at all... We parked in the huge parking lot and camped just at treeline on the left of the trail at an established and awesome site. Summited and had a cold Coors banquet beer on the summit at 8:51am. What a great mountain. thanks to all who chimed in.

[BillMiddlebrook]

Nice!

[GeorgiaTyler]

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Cheers!

[forbins_mtn]

Anyone know what those campsites along the road are like? do they have established fire pits? heading there tomorrow

[mtgirl]

I car camped along the road, a couple miles before the trailhead a couple years ago. The campsite (primitive) was on the right side, right after a significant left bend in the road. We had 3 vehicles parked there. Level enough to sleep in the back of trucks, and enough spots for a couple tents. Not sure about the fire ring situation. I did the El Diente to Mt. Wilson Traverse that day, was beat, and just wanted to get a few hours sleep before Wilson Peak. Enjoy your trip !

[GeorgiaTyler]

On the rock of ages approach look at picture #3, the trees that you see, you can camp in there. We got lucky (it was a Monday) and got the perfect spot with a fire ring. Probably more spots in the woods, but that one was prime, didn't look for others. Then it is just 3-3.5 hours to the summit of Wilson.

[Jim Davies]

Yeah, what were those black flies, anyway? I didn't think they were like mosquitos or wasps, skinnier than normal flies, and there were billions of the stupid things. We walked through clouds of them for the last mile or so back to our car on Friday.
edit: I guess they could have been flying ants, meaning they won't be around for very long: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/ ... flyant.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


btw, we camped at the first marked spot on the road, and it had a fire ring.

[forbins_mtn]

Beautiful! Thanks guys. I am truly in the mood for a campfire tonight before the climb. We should be showing up around 3p so hopefully we can snag a site

[hberry]

Anyone know what those campsites along the road are like? do they have established fire pits? heading there tomorrow

My wife and I camped there this past Friday at the last campsite as you are approaching the TH. There was a fire ring and flat ground on which we slept in the tent which we put up right behind our truck. In fact, I remember seeing several sites with fire rings. If you can get it, take the site on the left just past the creek. Nothing better than the sound of the creek to put you to sleep.

Bring something for the weird flies and the mosquitos though, they were relentless.

When I was there mid-July I had the camp site just after the creek. It's an awesome spot with room for at least 2 tents. If that one is open, don't keep going to look for spots - or at least put something there to stake your claim.