Uncompahgre National Forest

This short spur trail leads to lush meadows popular with sheepherders in the summer and hunters and elk in the autumn. Good sheltered campsites with water are available along the trail and at Wilson Meadows.

From the Lizard Head trail junction the Wilson meadows trail heads west, gradually climbing up past a small pond and open meadows. Then the trail takes a rolling traverse across several boggy clearings in conifer forest. It crosses several small, muddy drainages without bridges. After passing a large campsite on the left, the trail comes into the open by a dark mud/clay shoulder. Follow the clay ridgeline down and watch for a post marker on the right. The trail ducks in and out open forest, working its way down into the headwaters of Wilson Creek. After dropping down several clay shoulders and grassy benches, the trail once again passes through the woods before reaching a campsite at the edge of Wilson Meadows. The trail ends here. Sunshine Peak, Lizard Head, and the Blackface ridge loom above the meadow. Wilson Creek drains the meadows to the north, down a steep and rugged drainage, without a trail. The Lizard Head trail traverses the wooded saddle above the meadows to the south, leading from Blackface to the Cross Mountain trail.

Access: Take Lizard Head Trail (#505) for the first 1 1/2 miles. After climbing the first set of switchbacks up through aspens you reach a trail junction. Lizard Head Trail is on the left, while Wilson Meadows takes off straight ahead, heading west.