Wheeler Peak - 4.21.2014
Google Maps shows how to get from the Main Lodge area (9100') of the Taos Ski Area up to the Williams Lake Trailhead (10,200').
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The Topo Map shows our approximate route from the Williams Lake Trail up to the ridge... then along the ridge to the Wheeler Peak summit... 8.5 miles roundtrip, gaining ~3100 feet of elevation.
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There are plenty of these signs that will make sure that you find the Williams Lake Trailhead.
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A huge parking area for the Williams Lake Trailhead (10,200').
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Kachina Peak (12,481') from the Williams Lake parking area.
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It will be a 2 mile hike to Williams Lake... where we will leave the trail and head up to a ridge.
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Wheeler Peak is in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness... in the Carson National Forest.
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We found the top of this post just before arriving at Williams Lake... kind of glad that it wasn't covered by snow.
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Williams Lake is on the other side of the trees, but we will be turning left (east) and heading for a ridge.
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The terrain gets very steep after leaving the lake area.
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There is a flatish spot at 12,000 feet... where BarbE and Snowdog are patiently waiting for tomman and me.
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Looking across the valley to Lake Fork Peak (center) and Kachina Peak (right).
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Looking at Kachina Peak (left) and the Taos Ski Area (center).
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Peak 12819 (center) and Lake Fork Peak (right) from our rest stop at 12,000 feet.
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BarbE and Snowdog continue up.
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BarbE and Snowdog found a nice break spot at ~12,600 feet.
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tomman on steep terrain... Lake Fork Peak on the right.
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tomman and Lake Fork Peak.
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tomman digging in... the flatish spot at 12,000 feet is lower right... ski area on the far right... with Lake Fork Peak left-center.
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Almost to the ridge.
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tomman arrives at the ridge... Mount Walter in the foreground... with Frazer Mountain on the left.
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What... there are two specks on the Wheeler Peak summit... yes, that would be BarbE and Snowdog.
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tomman on the ridge... with Frazer Mountain and Mount Walter behind.
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The Taos Ski Area from the Wheeler Peak summit... Kachina Peak on the left.
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Peak 12819 (left) and Lake Fork Peak (right) from the Wheeler summit.
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Old Mike Peak (left) and Simpson Peak (center) from the Wheeler summit.
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A little history about Wheeler Peak.
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A group shot on the Wheeler Peak summit (13,161')... the highest point in New Mexico... tomman, BarbE, Snowdog and ragman.
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Leaving the Wheeler Peak summit and tracing our steps along the ridge... clouds are forming.
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We have left the ridge... and continue to trace our steps back down to Williams Lake... we will be back at the car in 2.5 hours.
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