Wheeler Peak via Williams Lake

Taos

The most direct route to New Mexico's 13,161-foot high point.

Hiking Severe

Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 908 m
Descent: 908 m
Duration: 4-5 hrs

Low Point: 3.1 km
High Point: 4 km
Gradient: 14˚

Wheeler Peak is the crown of New Mexico, soaring to a height of 13,161 feet above sea level. As the state's highpoint, and since it is a non-technical climb, Wheeler receives a significant amount of peak climbing traffic. To score a spot in the parking lot (and to get off the mountain before the afternoon thunderstorms begin), it's advisable to get to the trailhead before dawn, even during the middle of the week.

Photo from Wheeler Peak via Williams Lake — Photo: Christine Henry

Description

There are several different routes to the top of Wheeler Peak, but the route mapped here, via the Williams Lake trail, is the shortest and most popular option. Even still, it covers 8.4 miles round-trip and climbs about 3,000 vertical feet, according to FATMAP.

The route begins on the mellow climb toward Williams Lake. You can either choose to do the short spur to the lake, or carry on straight toward the summit of Wheeler.

This route to the summit ranks as a class 2 climb. The final 1,000 feet of ascending consists of scree field scrambling, but during the summer, no special equipment is required. The trail is well-trod and the climb is fairly straight forward, but climbers should still take all normal precautions for weather, exposure, and other dangers.

During the winter, the climb gets trickier. Several avalanche chutes cross the summer trail and could prove very dangerous during winter months. A winter summit of Wheeler is only recommended for experienced backcountry winter travelers.

Sources: https://www.summitpost.org/wheeler-peak-nm/150429 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/carson/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=44350&actid=50).

Difficulty

Severe

Hiking challenging trails where simple scrambling, with the occasional use of the hands, is a distinct possibility. The trails are often filled with all manner of obstacles both small and large, and the hills are very steep. Obstacles and challenges are often unexpected and can be unpredictable.