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Beginning elevation ~9237 ft
Lake Fork Peak (High Point ): 12,881 ft
Bighorn Peak: 12,819 ft
Elevation gain: 3644 ft
Distance: Approx 5 miles to Bighorn Peak summit

Climb to the summit of Kachina Peak. Use the Taos Ski Valley Route as a reference.
From the summit of Kachina Peak head south toward Lake Fork Peak. You will hike down a couple hundred feet before starting your ascent of Lake Fork Peak. Scramble up class 3 rocky slope to the top of a false summit ~12,480 feet. Continue south along the ridge and climb to the sumit of Lake Fork Peak at 12,881 ft. From the summit, Bighorn Peak is visible and the route is obvious. Hike down to the saddle ~12,290 ft and climb the tundra to the summit of Bighorn Peak. It takes about 5 hours to reach this summit from the ski area base. I had intended to return via the same route, but was chased off the mountain by a thunderstorm. Climb down to the saddle between Lake Fork Peak and Bighorn Peak. From here you’ll be hopping a lot of boulders and surfing some scree for a couple of hours before reaching Williams lake. Follow the trail north ~ 3 miles to the trailhead.

Essential Gear

Basic Hiking shoes should be sufficient for this climb. Be prepared for thunderstorms during the summer months

Miscellaneous Info

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