(Hard) Wheeler Peak Summit Hike

Details
Join me for a scenic and challenging hike to Wheeler Peak (13,161 ft), the highest point in New Mexico, located in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos Ski Valley. This route features alpine lakes, rugged terrain, and stunning panoramic views from the summit. This will be my first time hiking this trail, so it will be as much an exploration for me as it is for you.

🔹 Trail Overview:
We’ll be hiking Wheeler Peak via Williams Lake Trail, a ~8.5 mile round-trip route with approximately 2,900 feet of elevation gain. The trail begins at the Williams Lake Trailhead in Taos Ski Valley and climbs steadily through alpine forests to Williams Lake. From there, we’ll continue on a steeper, rockier route up to Wheeler Peak. Expect some loose rocks and moderate exposure near the summit, but no technical climbing.

🕒 Pace & Expectations:
Start time is at 8:00 AM, aiming to finish around 3:00 PM. We’ll maintain a moderate pace (~2.0 mph uphill). While it’s not a technical route, the elevation and altitude can make it feel strenuous—be prepared for high-altitude hiking.

⚠️ Caution: Altitude & Preparation Required:
This hike tops out at over 13,000 ft, where the air is thin and altitude sickness is a real risk. The elevation gain, distance, and high-altitude environment make this a strenuous effort even for experienced hikers.
If you are not already acclimated to high elevations or have not done similar hikes recently, this is not the hike to “see if you can do it.” Symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue) can set in quickly and should not be ignored. Only join if you are physically conditioned and/or have already done some hikes above 10k ft this year.

• Consider hiking nearby peaks in the 10,000–12,000 ft range in the days/weeks prior (e.g., Lake Peak, Santa Fe Baldy, Sandia Crest, Mt. Taylor, etc.) to help acclimate.
• Spend the night before at high elevation to adjust—there are dispersed camping options along the road to Taos Ski Valley and primitive sites near Williams Lake.

🏕️ Camping Option:
For those wanting to stay nearby the night before, we’ll be camping at a dispersed site near the trailhead or in the Taos Ski Valley area. This will also help with acclimation. Details and GPS coordinates will be shared prior to the trip.

📌 Trail Info:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-mexico/wheeler-peak-via-williams-lake-trail
https://www.summitpost.org/wheeler-peak-nm/150429

Looking forward to summiting New Mexico’s highest point with you!