I rated this hike as difficult due to the lack of trail markings and various obstacles need to navigate through the canyon that leads to the peak. After doing some research on the trail prior to my hiking day, I realized that this was going to be a tough challenge and I was not disappointed! The day before my hike I went out with my boyfriend for a trial run just to see what was a head of me for this peak. There were many trail reports about the difficulty of finding and following a trail to get through the canyon that leads to the peak. The advice I was given from a woman I met was to stay close to the left side of the canyon as you are going into the canyon, but on my way back I discovered that that really wasn't the easiest way to get through, in fact it was terribly dangerous and I do not recommend going that way.   On my way back I found a very easy path that led me out with ease…so if you go try to say on the creek side and follow the random paths to get you to the end of the canyon where the cairns will mark the path to get you through the rest of the canyon. Once I got out of the canyon the trail was pretty easy to follow and I was pleased to make it all the way to the top of the official Wilson Peak.  Along the way there are some many interesting rock formations and when the redwood trees start to appear you can relax and enjoy the rest of the hike.  This trek took 12 hours to complete, including a 30 mins break at the top. This was one of the hardest hikes I have encountered with these 6 peak challenges, and I saw there was a suggestion to make a Wilson Challenge… my hope is there are all not like this one!

I also met two men on my research day as they were getting to their car, and they also said it took them 12 hours to complete this peak. So my advice is to get an early start!