The Meadows at Lizard Head Wilderness

The Meadows is an area along Forest Road 535 in the San Juan National Forest just south of the Lizard Head Wilderness in southwest Colorado. The expanse of green sits below one of the famous Colorado 14ers, Mount Wilson at 14,246 feet. Another 14er, El Diente is just out of view behind Mt. Wilson.

I arrived from the south, driving up the West Fork of the Dolores Road and parked at the junction with Forest Road 471 which leads back to the south to the Calico and Winter trailheads. This area can also be accessed on the Dunton Road south of Lizard Head Pass from Highway 145. I hiked to the west toward the Kilpacker Trail, about 1.5 miles away.
 

Gazing to the west there is a glimpse of Dolores Peak, no slouch at 13,290 feet, and an oddly placed cabin site.

 Looking back to the east is the mountain group that overlooks Lizard Head Pass and the Trout Lake area. The Groundhog Stock Driveway Trail leads that way and connects to the Cross Mountain Trail, part of the Lizard Head Trail System.

The old cabin sits along Meadows Creek. The low areas of the meadows area are often a little mushy, but it appears possible to walk along the edges all the way around.
 

There is a dirt road turnoff leading to the Kilpacker Trail Head. Looking back to the east, there is a full length view of the meadows and the mountains to the east of Lizard Head Pass. I continued on the Kilpacker Trail, hiking around the area for 3:15 hours.