Moogie737 - Sep 13, 2008 11:19 am Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2008
Williams Lake option
#1 9-11-08 Brent, Lee & I reached the top in just under 2 hours. Yes, the ascent from the lake is steep, but the dry footing made it tolerable. Made the short side-trip to Mt. Walter before descending. Perfect weather: mid-level clouds, light breezes. Headed for AZ the same day with the intention of climbing Humphreys Peak the next morning. (We did.) #2 9-2-12 Enjoyed the "new" trail en route to the top. Bagged Mt. Walter, too. 2+29 up 2+34 down - many, many hikers on the way up during our descent.
mad maximus - Sep 6, 2008 7:18 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2008
Cold and Alone
Got up early and returned by 1pm. I was alone all the way up and most of the way down. Some highschool kids were coming up when I got to the lake.
made the summit with menacing dark clouds and numbing cold.
hans.schenk - Aug 12, 2008 10:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2008
Tour de Wheeler
Ascended via the Bull of the Woods Trail and descended via Williams Lake. There was a dead bloated cow complete with flies part way up. At one point I and my companions left the trail and ascended to Walter Peak via the ridge crest on the west side of La Cal Basin.
Dean - Aug 2, 2008 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2008
Williams Lake route
Nice hike and trekking poles make the descent of this route tolerable. My second state highpoint in three days with Colorado's Elbert being done on the last day of July. Met quite a few others at the summit, maybe 30 or so. Met many more as I was going down.
Mountain Sheep, marmots and pikas added to the delights of this mountain.
slowbutsteady - Aug 1, 2008 11:02 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2008
solo via Williams LK
Beautiful weather without threating T- storms. Departed hikers parking lot for Williams Lake at 4:50 AM. On top at 9:30 AM. No other hikers at that time. Many marmots on top and during slog up 2000 FT from the lake. No summit register could be found unless one was hidden in barrel of cannon.
dandrew - Aug 1, 2008 6:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2008
Great hike, great scenery
Bull-of-the Woods trail with a descent down to Williams Lake. Nice views all around. My second state highpoint!
mlandau3 - Jul 21, 2008 2:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2008
We Made It
Thanks to Sarah and Ron (who we met on the trail), we all summited. Pretty long for a dayhike from the Coyote parking lot. Seeing the bighorn sheep was an added bonus.
LandonQ - Jul 20, 2008 2:11 am Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2008
Success
Successfully climbed.
TLP - Jul 3, 2008 9:13 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2008
great, great time
Went with a guy I met in Flagstaff a couple of days earlier while doing Humphreys Peak. He said he would like to come along when I said my plans, and I said sure, why not. It would be good to have a partner. I wasn't sure what to expect as far as snow, and how steep it would actually be, we were taking the Williams Lake route. There was snow, but nothing that needed special equipment. It was really pretty once we got up high on the mountain. Lost our way going through those woods after Williams Lake on the way up and on the way down. Figured it out though. I really like this mountain, and how the route just goes straight up it. It was such a good time. One of my favorites of all time so far.
Michael Graupe - Jul 1, 2008 6:46 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2008
Williams Lake
During a brief visit to Taos went up via Williams Lake starting before 6am in the morning. Took leisurely 2.5h to the summit carrying a lot of camera gear to photograph wildlife and wildflowers, which were blooming profusely. By late morning thunderstorms were already building (with lots of people still ascending!). After meeting up with my wife at Williams Lake we got rained and snowed on on our way back to the TH.
AubreySun - Jun 23, 2008 6:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2008
Tour de Wheeler Peak
Went up Bull-of-the-Woods; down the west slope and Williams Lake Trail; then 2 miles on the road from the Williams Lake Trailhead to the Bull-of-the-Woods Trailhead. Ended up being about 13 miles and 4,200 feet of gain. Took us about 6 hours and 45 minutes.
No snow until the trail skirted below Bull-of-the-Woods Mountain. It wasn’t bad, though. Portions and edges of the trail poked through. No special equipment needed, although gaiters were nice to have.
We encountered our first snowfield on the side of Point 11,762. The trail was completely covered in snow. While it could be crossed without an ice axe, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing so, and I was glad I brought mine. We crossed half of the snowfield and then skirted along the edge until we met back up with the dry trail. At this time, I suppose you could bypass all the snow by bushwhacking around it and over Point 11,762’s summit. From there, the trail was dry until La Cal Basin.
La Cal Basin was completely full of snow at/below treeline. We descended into the snowy forest to 11,800’, crossed the point where a couple creeks merge, then climbed directly up. Fortunately, it was early enough so the snow was mostly packed; we only postholed a few times.
On the descent to Williams Lake via Wheeler’s west slope, there were a few small snowfields, but nothing major. Made a few short glissades.
The crowded Williams Lake Trail was slushy and sloppy. Plastic pink ribbons marked the route, as the trail was buried under snow and mud. The last mile or so was dry.
StumblingBear - May 20, 2008 11:22 am Date Climbed: Oct 12, 1997
Two Beautiful Fall Climbs
Climbed Wheeler Peak twice, both times in October. The first with a friend. We hiked into Willams Lake, spent the night and summited the next day. Weather was nice but a cold wind blew on top. Next year my wife and her brother spent the night in Taos and got an early start the next morning and did the whole climb in one day from Williams Lake again.It was about the same weather just colder wind on top.
Did the whole Wheeler/Old Mike/Simpson/Walter circuit. Great day & great companions.
scooter12ga - Apr 1, 2008 3:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2007
NM at its greatest!
Drove straight up there after returning from a business trip. Spent the night at TSV campground, summited the next day via Bull of the Woods. Beautiful summit day!
I'm thinking about hiking Wheeler Peak last week of March. Should I plan on using snowshoes and crampons.
I'm a pretty strong hiker, but not a technical climber by any stretch, so I'm not ready to risk life or limb.
jimegan - Feb 7, 2008 11:18 am Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2004
WHEELER PK
SOLOED WILLIAMS LK TRAIL AND NEARLY PASSED BY SUMMIT ON FINE TRAIL ON E FLANKS HEADED FOR DISTANT GOOD LOOKING PEAK FREEZING WIND CHILL WHILE TRYING TO SIGN REGISTER
Beautiful hike up Wheeler Peak, highly recommended.
highlandvillager - Jan 6, 2008 1:09 am Date Climbed: May 27, 2007
Just in time
We got a late start and trudged through knee deep snow to Williams Lake. I cut my break there short, which made all the difference. I was able to summit and glissade back down to the tree line before an approaching storm arrived. My climbing partner lingered too long at Williams Lake and was turned back by a blizzard just shy of the summit. We both enjoyed the beer and food at The Bavarian before returning to camp.
AltitudeSickness - Dec 22, 2007 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2004
Route Climbed: Bushwhacked
Bushwhacked up to approach to Mt. Walters from Lake Fork Creek. Followed ridge to Mt. Wheeler. Lots of snow made it lots of fun. Played all the way there. Bright sunshine all day. Cold sometimes, very warm at other times. Great trip even though I was miserably out of shape.
Moogie737 - Sep 13, 2008 11:19 am Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2008
Williams Lake option#1 9-11-08 Brent, Lee & I reached the top in just under 2 hours. Yes, the ascent from the lake is steep, but the dry footing made it tolerable. Made the short side-trip to Mt. Walter before descending. Perfect weather: mid-level clouds, light breezes. Headed for AZ the same day with the intention of climbing Humphreys Peak the next morning. (We did.) #2 9-2-12 Enjoyed the "new" trail en route to the top. Bagged Mt. Walter, too. 2+29 up 2+34 down - many, many hikers on the way up during our descent.
mad maximus - Sep 6, 2008 7:18 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2008
Cold and AloneGot up early and returned by 1pm. I was alone all the way up and most of the way down. Some highschool kids were coming up when I got to the lake.
kevin trieu - Aug 26, 2008 5:00 pm
Thunderstormmade the summit with menacing dark clouds and numbing cold.
hans.schenk - Aug 12, 2008 10:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2008
Tour de WheelerAscended via the Bull of the Woods Trail and descended via Williams Lake. There was a dead bloated cow complete with flies part way up. At one point I and my companions left the trail and ascended to Walter Peak via the ridge crest on the west side of La Cal Basin.
Dean - Aug 2, 2008 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2008
Williams Lake routeNice hike and trekking poles make the descent of this route tolerable. My second state highpoint in three days with Colorado's Elbert being done on the last day of July. Met quite a few others at the summit, maybe 30 or so. Met many more as I was going down.
Mountain Sheep, marmots and pikas added to the delights of this mountain.
slowbutsteady - Aug 1, 2008 11:02 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2008
solo via Williams LKBeautiful weather without threating T- storms. Departed hikers parking lot for Williams Lake at 4:50 AM. On top at 9:30 AM. No other hikers at that time. Many marmots on top and during slog up 2000 FT from the lake. No summit register could be found unless one was hidden in barrel of cannon.
dandrew - Aug 1, 2008 6:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2008
Great hike, great sceneryBull-of-the Woods trail with a descent down to Williams Lake. Nice views all around. My second state highpoint!
mlandau3 - Jul 21, 2008 2:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2008
We Made ItThanks to Sarah and Ron (who we met on the trail), we all summited. Pretty long for a dayhike from the Coyote parking lot. Seeing the bighorn sheep was an added bonus.
LandonQ - Jul 20, 2008 2:11 am Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2008
SuccessSuccessfully climbed.
TLP - Jul 3, 2008 9:13 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2008
great, great timeWent with a guy I met in Flagstaff a couple of days earlier while doing Humphreys Peak. He said he would like to come along when I said my plans, and I said sure, why not. It would be good to have a partner. I wasn't sure what to expect as far as snow, and how steep it would actually be, we were taking the Williams Lake route. There was snow, but nothing that needed special equipment. It was really pretty once we got up high on the mountain. Lost our way going through those woods after Williams Lake on the way up and on the way down. Figured it out though. I really like this mountain, and how the route just goes straight up it. It was such a good time. One of my favorites of all time so far.
Michael Graupe - Jul 1, 2008 6:46 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2008
Williams LakeDuring a brief visit to Taos went up via Williams Lake starting before 6am in the morning. Took leisurely 2.5h to the summit carrying a lot of camera gear to photograph wildlife and wildflowers, which were blooming profusely. By late morning thunderstorms were already building (with lots of people still ascending!). After meeting up with my wife at Williams Lake we got rained and snowed on on our way back to the TH.
AubreySun - Jun 23, 2008 6:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2008
Tour de Wheeler PeakWent up Bull-of-the-Woods; down the west slope and Williams Lake Trail; then 2 miles on the road from the Williams Lake Trailhead to the Bull-of-the-Woods Trailhead. Ended up being about 13 miles and 4,200 feet of gain. Took us about 6 hours and 45 minutes.
No snow until the trail skirted below Bull-of-the-Woods Mountain. It wasn’t bad, though. Portions and edges of the trail poked through. No special equipment needed, although gaiters were nice to have.
We encountered our first snowfield on the side of Point 11,762. The trail was completely covered in snow. While it could be crossed without an ice axe, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing so, and I was glad I brought mine. We crossed half of the snowfield and then skirted along the edge until we met back up with the dry trail. At this time, I suppose you could bypass all the snow by bushwhacking around it and over Point 11,762’s summit. From there, the trail was dry until La Cal Basin.
La Cal Basin was completely full of snow at/below treeline. We descended into the snowy forest to 11,800’, crossed the point where a couple creeks merge, then climbed directly up. Fortunately, it was early enough so the snow was mostly packed; we only postholed a few times.
On the descent to Williams Lake via Wheeler’s west slope, there were a few small snowfields, but nothing major. Made a few short glissades.
The crowded Williams Lake Trail was slushy and sloppy. Plastic pink ribbons marked the route, as the trail was buried under snow and mud. The last mile or so was dry.
StumblingBear - May 20, 2008 11:22 am Date Climbed: Oct 12, 1997
Two Beautiful Fall ClimbsClimbed Wheeler Peak twice, both times in October. The first with a friend. We hiked into Willams Lake, spent the night and summited the next day. Weather was nice but a cold wind blew on top. Next year my wife and her brother spent the night in Taos and got an early start the next morning and did the whole climb in one day from Williams Lake again.It was about the same weather just colder wind on top.
peakrat76 - Apr 23, 2008 3:56 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 1997
Wheeler ComboDid the whole Wheeler/Old Mike/Simpson/Walter circuit. Great day & great companions.
scooter12ga - Apr 1, 2008 3:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2007
NM at its greatest!Drove straight up there after returning from a business trip. Spent the night at TSV campground, summited the next day via Bull of the Woods. Beautiful summit day!
jcscratch1 - Feb 14, 2008 8:57 pm
Re: Spring in the SnowI'm thinking about hiking Wheeler Peak last week of March. Should I plan on using snowshoes and crampons.
I'm a pretty strong hiker, but not a technical climber by any stretch, so I'm not ready to risk life or limb.
jimegan - Feb 7, 2008 11:18 am Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2004
WHEELER PKSOLOED WILLIAMS LK TRAIL AND NEARLY PASSED BY SUMMIT ON FINE TRAIL ON E FLANKS HEADED FOR DISTANT GOOD LOOKING PEAK FREEZING WIND CHILL WHILE TRYING TO SIGN REGISTER
GroundControl - Jan 13, 2008 10:05 am
Wheeler Peak, Summer 2003Beautiful hike up Wheeler Peak, highly recommended.
highlandvillager - Jan 6, 2008 1:09 am Date Climbed: May 27, 2007
Just in timeWe got a late start and trudged through knee deep snow to Williams Lake. I cut my break there short, which made all the difference. I was able to summit and glissade back down to the tree line before an approaching storm arrived. My climbing partner lingered too long at Williams Lake and was turned back by a blizzard just shy of the summit. We both enjoyed the beer and food at The Bavarian before returning to camp.
AltitudeSickness - Dec 22, 2007 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2004
Route Climbed: BushwhackedBushwhacked up to approach to Mt. Walters from Lake Fork Creek. Followed ridge to Mt. Wheeler. Lots of snow made it lots of fun. Played all the way there. Bright sunshine all day. Cold sometimes, very warm at other times. Great trip even though I was miserably out of shape.