My son and I climbed by the new Williams Lake trail last Sunday- very good hiking but still a difficult climb that I as a 63 year old irregular hiker should have trained more for, but I made it. Highlight aside from making the summit was getting within 50 yards of a herd of 10 bighorn sheep--amazing. Weather was spectacular. I would recommend this to anyone in reasonable condition- nice views and good hiking challenge plus even someone like me can make it up and back in 6-7 hours.
cullman1988 - Aug 30, 2013 11:02 am Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2012
Beautiful!
MY first above 12,000'. Loved it. Met David Clark and Hugh Wilson here and we hiked Mt.Elbert in August 2013 together. Amazing how hiking can change you and bring you out of your shell!
ZeeJay - Aug 18, 2013 6:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2013
Nice hike
Nice hike via the Lake Williams trail.
mebo1126 - Aug 12, 2013 9:07 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2013
#7 State High Point!
Hiked this in conjunction with Mt. Walter via the new William's Lake trail. The views were beautiful, although the weather was a bit sketch. I really enjoyed seeing all the chubby marmots along the way!
mcmurdosound - Aug 12, 2013 8:44 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2013
great hike
started early but thunderstorms rolled in about 8 am. we drove out from CA to do wheeler peak so we decided to wait the storm out. about an hour later we finished the hike to the summit and loved it. i'll be the blasphemous dude who thought Wheeler and Walter were more impressive than Mt. Elbert! We took the new Williams Lake Trail which was very well marked. I thought it was pretty strenuous, but it was a nice relatively short hike. Saw lots of big horn sheep, massive marmots, and some sort of guinea hen looking bird. this was actually probably the highlight of my hiking trip to Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
Zachary Andrew - Aug 12, 2013 1:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2013
5 peaks
Got to Williams Lake Trailhead at about midnight and hiked to the lake in the pitch black. Arrived at the lake at about 2am. Woke up to stunning scenery and summited at about noon. While you are there you might as well get in Old mike, Simpson, Walter, and Frazer peaks for a 5 peak day. Camped in the La Cal Basin 2nd night. Made the mistake of trying to bushwhack my way down a super steep (70% Grade at max) valley next to Frazer, to avoid the boring and long bull-of-woods trail. Don't do it... I fell 16 times, and with a 20kg backpack you'll be somersaulting down the mountain. Certainly a quick, but not pleasant way to get down.
Jimmy Rivers - Jul 22, 2013 12:04 am Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2013
Beautiful backcountry hike!
Hiked up Bull of the Woods trail as an overnighter, camping just below tree line at the La Cal basin. We were above tree line for so long though, and it was just stunning scenery for a Florida guy like myself. The elevation didn't really mess with us, thankfully, and we made it without a problem. I absolutely loved this area, inc nearby Taos, in northern NM. Wheeler was tough, yet rewarding. STATE HP #25!! Halfway home.
Camped in la Cal Basin, summitted early am then hiked out. Rough but amazing hike.
birdhead - Jun 16, 2013 9:20 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2013
East Fork Red River & Williams Lake
Climbed via the trail from the East Fork of the Red River. Lighting near the summit forced a quick descent. 4:54 RT.
Climbed again on 6/15/19 via Williams Lake as part of my Father's Day trip. Lots of snow in the trees. 4:00 RT. Got lunch and beer at the Bavarian with the family after the hike.
Brian Kalet - May 28, 2013 3:58 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2013
Strolled up the Bull of the Woods trail. The snow was solid and I didn't need my snowshoes nor ice axe. Took close to 5 hours to reach the peak (including breaks, lunch, etc). The avy danger seemed very low, so I descended via Williams Lake. That was fast, took an hour, but the only problem was my car was at the other trailhead, and so I had a long walk down the dirt road to get back to it. No one around to hitch a ride from either!
tylordthemighty - Apr 15, 2013 9:12 am Date Climbed: Dec 1, 2012
Boom tallest peak in New Mexico Boom
Climbed in December, didn't need skiis, great conditions minus a tid bit windy on top, but still an awesome hike and not the last time I'll be doing it.
triviasteve - Mar 18, 2013 7:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2012
fatboy makes it!
My first attempt at a 13'er. And really, my first time out hiking in quite a while. So a little out of shape, but mentally determined...
Took the trail to Williams Lake and missed the turn to take the trail to the top. So I saw Williams Lake, and ended up scrambling up the mountain with a few others that had missed the turn, until we got back on trail.
Lots of people hiking that day, some would hike with me for a while then press on, and I would do the same. I encountered an older gentleman, recently retired from the Army and recently recovered from knee replacement (both) surgery, whose doctor had given him the go-ahead to hike. Both of us were out of shape, but we became each other's encouragement, as we hiked along. Finally, he got winded and slowed down and told me to press on, which I did.
50 steps, stop, breathe. That was the mantra for the last hour of hiking to the summit, with each daunting view of the summit, you realize how difficult a 13'er is... But I finally made it, and enjoyed my accomplishment with about 50 other people at the summit. Stayed there for 1/2 hour or so enjoying the view and talking with others, taking pictures and hydrating.
On the way back down, I passed my Army friend, who still had about 1/2 hour of climbing to go. I offered him some water and some words of encouragement.
7 hours round trip to the summit and back... not bad, I thought.
Physically, the most difficult thing I've ever done. Can't wait to do more!
JBR1969 - Mar 4, 2014 9:53 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2009
Perfect WeatherFrom Williams Lake
Carv - Jan 22, 2014 3:14 pm Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2012
New MexicoStandard route solo.
iamrwood - Jan 14, 2014 2:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2013
Williams Lake TrailMade it to the top early in the morning, experienced a beautiful sunrise at Williams Lake before summiting!
Adam Doc Fox - Jan 10, 2014 7:42 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2012
Hiking wit CheechMy wife and I kept running into some dude that, even in the Alpine environment, kept da trees going.
Pretty sure he never made it down.
Kevintheclimber - Dec 27, 2013 11:34 pm Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2012
Summit in early seasonWas fun, encountered 60 plus mph winds on summit.
MadGrad96 - Nov 1, 2013 8:11 am
WheelerBull of the Woods and Williams Lake routes
tknutila - Sep 12, 2013 8:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2013
tknutilaMy son and I climbed by the new Williams Lake trail last Sunday- very good hiking but still a difficult climb that I as a 63 year old irregular hiker should have trained more for, but I made it. Highlight aside from making the summit was getting within 50 yards of a herd of 10 bighorn sheep--amazing. Weather was spectacular. I would recommend this to anyone in reasonable condition- nice views and good hiking challenge plus even someone like me can make it up and back in 6-7 hours.
yadahzoemtn - Sep 3, 2013 8:29 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2012
Great FunPart of a great road trip to capture high points.
cullman1988 - Aug 30, 2013 11:02 am Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2012
Beautiful!MY first above 12,000'. Loved it. Met David Clark and Hugh Wilson here and we hiked Mt.Elbert in August 2013 together. Amazing how hiking can change you and bring you out of your shell!
ZeeJay - Aug 18, 2013 6:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2013
Nice hikeNice hike via the Lake Williams trail.
mebo1126 - Aug 12, 2013 9:07 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2013
#7 State High Point!Hiked this in conjunction with Mt. Walter via the new William's Lake trail. The views were beautiful, although the weather was a bit sketch. I really enjoyed seeing all the chubby marmots along the way!
mcmurdosound - Aug 12, 2013 8:44 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2013
great hikestarted early but thunderstorms rolled in about 8 am. we drove out from CA to do wheeler peak so we decided to wait the storm out. about an hour later we finished the hike to the summit and loved it. i'll be the blasphemous dude who thought Wheeler and Walter were more impressive than Mt. Elbert! We took the new Williams Lake Trail which was very well marked. I thought it was pretty strenuous, but it was a nice relatively short hike. Saw lots of big horn sheep, massive marmots, and some sort of guinea hen looking bird. this was actually probably the highlight of my hiking trip to Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
Zachary Andrew - Aug 12, 2013 1:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2013
5 peaksGot to Williams Lake Trailhead at about midnight and hiked to the lake in the pitch black. Arrived at the lake at about 2am. Woke up to stunning scenery and summited at about noon. While you are there you might as well get in Old mike, Simpson, Walter, and Frazer peaks for a 5 peak day. Camped in the La Cal Basin 2nd night. Made the mistake of trying to bushwhack my way down a super steep (70% Grade at max) valley next to Frazer, to avoid the boring and long bull-of-woods trail. Don't do it... I fell 16 times, and with a 20kg backpack you'll be somersaulting down the mountain. Certainly a quick, but not pleasant way to get down.
Jimmy Rivers - Jul 22, 2013 12:04 am Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2013
Beautiful backcountry hike!Hiked up Bull of the Woods trail as an overnighter, camping just below tree line at the La Cal basin. We were above tree line for so long though, and it was just stunning scenery for a Florida guy like myself. The elevation didn't really mess with us, thankfully, and we made it without a problem. I absolutely loved this area, inc nearby Taos, in northern NM. Wheeler was tough, yet rewarding. STATE HP #25!! Halfway home.
THalky - Jul 15, 2013 12:11 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2013
#25Camped in la Cal Basin, summitted early am then hiked out. Rough but amazing hike.
birdhead - Jun 16, 2013 9:20 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2013
East Fork Red River & Williams LakeClimbed via the trail from the East Fork of the Red River. Lighting near the summit forced a quick descent. 4:54 RT.
Climbed again on 6/15/19 via Williams Lake as part of my Father's Day trip. Lots of snow in the trees. 4:00 RT. Got lunch and beer at the Bavarian with the family after the hike.
Brian Kalet - May 28, 2013 3:58 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2013
2 PeaksWith Mount Walter.
vanman798 - Apr 30, 2013 12:35 pm Date Climbed: Apr 27, 2013
Spring LoopStrolled up the Bull of the Woods trail. The snow was solid and I didn't need my snowshoes nor ice axe. Took close to 5 hours to reach the peak (including breaks, lunch, etc). The avy danger seemed very low, so I descended via Williams Lake. That was fast, took an hour, but the only problem was my car was at the other trailhead, and so I had a long walk down the dirt road to get back to it. No one around to hitch a ride from either!
tylordthemighty - Apr 15, 2013 9:12 am Date Climbed: Dec 1, 2012
Boom tallest peak in New Mexico BoomClimbed in December, didn't need skiis, great conditions minus a tid bit windy on top, but still an awesome hike and not the last time I'll be doing it.
triviasteve - Mar 18, 2013 7:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2012
fatboy makes it!My first attempt at a 13'er. And really, my first time out hiking in quite a while. So a little out of shape, but mentally determined...
Took the trail to Williams Lake and missed the turn to take the trail to the top. So I saw Williams Lake, and ended up scrambling up the mountain with a few others that had missed the turn, until we got back on trail.
Lots of people hiking that day, some would hike with me for a while then press on, and I would do the same. I encountered an older gentleman, recently retired from the Army and recently recovered from knee replacement (both) surgery, whose doctor had given him the go-ahead to hike. Both of us were out of shape, but we became each other's encouragement, as we hiked along. Finally, he got winded and slowed down and told me to press on, which I did.
50 steps, stop, breathe. That was the mantra for the last hour of hiking to the summit, with each daunting view of the summit, you realize how difficult a 13'er is... But I finally made it, and enjoyed my accomplishment with about 50 other people at the summit. Stayed there for 1/2 hour or so enjoying the view and talking with others, taking pictures and hydrating.
On the way back down, I passed my Army friend, who still had about 1/2 hour of climbing to go. I offered him some water and some words of encouragement.
7 hours round trip to the summit and back... not bad, I thought.
Physically, the most difficult thing I've ever done. Can't wait to do more!