Does anyone know the current conditions on Wheeler? Looking at climbing this week via standard route. Anyone been up that way recently?

Thanks!
Ben

New Mexico or Nevada?

Sorry. Should have made that distinction. I wasnt aware NV was included here! Wheeler Peak, New Mexico.

Thanks Scott!

I was up Truchas yesterday, and there was waist-deep unconsolidated snow below treeline in most places without southern exposure. Above treeline was mostly blown off and easy travel. Bring snowshoes and patience.

Sean,

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. Plan on bringing the snowshoes and some microspikes. Do you think the trail to Wheeler will be more packed down? I was reading that Truchas was seldom visited. Is Wheeler much more popular being the state high point?

Thanks again,
Ben

You're right that Wheeler will probably be more visited, being both the highpoint and a shorter hike from a paved trailhead. I'm not sure how much winter traffic it receives, having only done it in the summer, but I doubt you'll find a well-packed trail like you would on e.g. Quandary.

From the ski area to Williams Lake it will be well packed. Lots of snowshoers and skiers use the trail throughout the winter. Above the lake you might be breaking trail. I was there last weekend and the turnoff to start heading up to Wheeler had not been traveled recently.

Does anyone know the current conditions on Wheeler and what to expect on Bull of the Woods Trail , deep snow, snowshoes, postholing?
Thanks!
S

Anybody know current trail conditions? I'm going to be there during the first week of June and would love to know what to expect.

GreaseMonkey77 wrote:Anybody know current trail conditions? I'm going to be there during the first week of June and would love to know what to expect.

Last info from May 12

http://14ers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=42974

I'm going to be out there in the same time-frame, anyone want to weigh in on if there is a benefit to taking Bull of the Woods trail instead of the Williams Lake trail with current conditions? I have snow shoes, crampons axe and spikes but would prefer to stick with just spikes and hiking boots if possible

Thanks,

Matt.

Same here Matt, except I don't have all the snow/ice gear. I was hoping we could get by without snow shoes, but it sounds like I may need to rent some. Should I also look into renting crampons, axe, etc? I've done a lot of hiking, but have absolutely no experience with mountaineering.

Looking for updated info if anybody has any. A group of us would like to make the hike up Bull of the Woods trail in hiking boots and trekking poles.

Also looking for any update on current conditions on Wheeler. Debating driving down from Denver this weekend.

I talked to a lady at the Taos Ski Valley Chamber of Commerce. She thought Bull of the Woods trail would be do-able in hiking boots and gaiters. She said Williams Lake area is still pretty snowy and last week one guy tried that direction, but turned around due to snow.

There is a Climber's Log entry from last week on the SP page for Wheeler that may be of some help. The author used snowshoes for the last couple miles up Bull of the Woods, but encountered another hiker wearing just shoes that came up via Williams. The author went down via Williams, but doesn't specify the method or conditions.

I also called the Questa Ranger District, but they had no report, as they do not send people into that area until mid-June.

Our group is still debating the timing of our trip.