Climbed during a backpacking trip in the wilderness area. A very scenic area--excellent alpenglow at camp the night before. With nearby Mt. Walter.
flamethewolf - Oct 23, 2006 3:40 am Date Climbed: Apr 14, 2006
high point
bagged Wheeler in early april... lots of snow, lots of fun
surgent - Oct 11, 2006 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 1994
With my bro
Hiked with my brother, using the BOTW trail. Camped in the meadow near the creek. Had to avoid monumental thunderstorms each day, but made the top at about 7 a.m. on day 2, then the hike out.
woodstrider - Oct 2, 2006 9:54 pm Date Climbed: Sep 28, 2006
Williams Lake- Scenic indeed
Backpacked into the Williams lake area and stayed in forest to the right of the trail where good camping is to be found. Went up easy to follow herd-path to summit and back. RT time 3 hours. Definitely the quickest way up and back and despite SP page on this route it was very scenic. Be aware that this is alot of construction in the trailhead area, especially roadwork.
boisedoc - Sep 12, 2006 5:28 am Date Climbed: Jun 28, 1993
Nice hike
Nice hike from the ski area
osatrik - Aug 15, 2006 6:26 am Date Climbed: Apr 14, 1993
Spring in the Snow
Daughter Vanessa and I climbed a week or two after the ski area closed in 1993. There was a nice set of steps up from the gully, evidently set by a couple of backcountry skiers the previous day. The summit ridge was socked in, and we couldn't see a thing. In fact at one point we got disoriented in a spot where the ridge flattened out a lot, and had to pull out the compass to figure out which direction to continue on the ridge. That problem solved, just kept on the ridge until we found the plaque! Wheeler was number 40 of my 49 state high points, and number 39 for my daughter Vanessa, the last of the SHPs we did together.
MoapaPk - Jul 30, 2006 12:38 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 1982
cold at night
Slept on top Oct, 1982. 10F, but at least there was no thunder & lightning!
Joe_Parvis - Jun 5, 2006 8:29 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2006
Honeymoon daliance - Williams Lake route
On honeymoon in Taos. Wife and I hiked from Phoenix Restaurant up to Williams Lake, where she stopped and enjoyed the sun and scenery. I continued up from lake to saddle and over to summit. The route from the lake is steep but short and can be accomplished quickly if you are in great shape (not me) OR don't mind gasping (me). Started from lake at 1135am and back at 145pm with 10 mins on top. Late but luckily beat thunder, which held off until 400pm (when we were down eating chili in the valley). Around the basin there seem to be many mountains with more challenging routes, but this is a great option if time is limited and you are looking for a straightforward route. (Note: only occasional [avoidable] small snow patches were left; summer conditions.)
gunnersmith - Jun 5, 2006 1:15 am Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2006
Bull of the Woods
It was a nice summer day for this stroll. This is a nice state highpoint achieved with little effort. Recommended.
Dan the Jones - Apr 12, 2006 2:17 pm Date Climbed: May 8, 2005
Frigid
Started out around 10pm and reached the fork past Bull of the Woods. Spent a frigid night, due more to the wind chill then the actual temperature, watching the tent shudder in the wind. At the crack of light we broke camp and continued our hike, reached several large snow packs, that made us break out the axes. As we approached La Cal Basin, thought it would be quicker to traverse the ridgeline. This made for a much shorter direct route. However we did encounter a very slippery scree/talus slope near the top of La Cal Basin. Was a crystal clear day, we could see for miles once we reached Wheeler Peak. Glissaded on our behinds all the way down Williams Lake slope. Stopped to eat underneath the tree line. Is a quick hike from Williams Lake. Great hike.
I climbed Wheeler back in the 1960's . At that time we had the ability to drive to Bull of the Woods , before you enter the wilderness area. Then Nixon declared it all a wilderness area. He also gave the land South of Wheeler back to the Indians. No gripe here about that. I just miss going to see the beautiful area of Blue Lake.
NanitaD - Apr 7, 2006 12:33 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 1996
Bull of the Woods
We went up Bull of the Woods, but went back almost straight down the side to the lake.
Mountain Jim - Mar 11, 2006 4:34 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 1996
Bull of the Woods
55th birthday climb.
noggin - Mar 7, 2006 1:28 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2005
Bull of the Woods
This is a long hike. Make sure to leave enough time to get down before the thunderstorms roll in.
Route Climbed: Bull of the Woods Date Climbed: Summer 1998
We climbed on a cool clear day as a warm-up for the Enchanted Circle Century ride which we completed the next day. It was the Tour de Wheeler from all angles. Climbed with Dr. David Brown.
Route Climbed: Bull Of The Woods Trail Date Climbed: 05 January 2006
A nice, thoguh icy & long winter climb up the Bull Of The Woods trail. Route-finding was interesting around La Cal Basin trying to avoid the deep snow, however, the summit was truly rewarding!
e-doc - Dec 31, 2005 9:38 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 1998
Route Climbed: Bull of Woods Date Climbed: Sept 17, 1998
I suppose that I became a highpointer when I stood atop Mt Whitney five years earlier and thought to myself; "HUM, I've been to the highest mountain in Arizona and California, as well as Mt Mitchell and Clingmans Dome. Wouldn't it be neat to do all fifty states?" This thought was just a random idea.
After our 4 day trip to the Chicago Basin, Brian and I drove over for a 2 day hike up Wheeler to bag my third western highpoint. We backed in and camped in the La Cal Basin, summited the next day. Nice clear day, though cold and windy. I tried to pick out peaks at Philmont Scout Ranch that I visited so long before. Peaceful and we had the mountain to ourselves.
Route Climbed: Bull of the Woods Date Climbed: November 25, 2005
Beautiful day on the top but super windy by the basin. The lower trail was covered by ice. The trail above the pasture had few feet of snow on it. The snow was pretty hard (it stayed below freezing all day) so snowshoes were not needed. Only saw one other group on the mountain. 22nd HP.
Route Climbed: Bull of the Woods up, Williams Lake down Date Climbed: August 30th, 2005
All I remember from this hike was the heavy construction taking place at the trailhead and the fields of grasshoppers near the summit. I think we made the right decision in going down the steep route.
Vagabond Manifesto - Oct 23, 2006 10:17 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2004
Very beautifulClimbed during a backpacking trip in the wilderness area. A very scenic area--excellent alpenglow at camp the night before. With nearby Mt. Walter.
flamethewolf - Oct 23, 2006 3:40 am Date Climbed: Apr 14, 2006
high pointbagged Wheeler in early april... lots of snow, lots of fun
surgent - Oct 11, 2006 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 1994
With my broHiked with my brother, using the BOTW trail. Camped in the meadow near the creek. Had to avoid monumental thunderstorms each day, but made the top at about 7 a.m. on day 2, then the hike out.
woodstrider - Oct 2, 2006 9:54 pm Date Climbed: Sep 28, 2006
Williams Lake- Scenic indeedBackpacked into the Williams lake area and stayed in forest to the right of the trail where good camping is to be found. Went up easy to follow herd-path to summit and back. RT time 3 hours. Definitely the quickest way up and back and despite SP page on this route it was very scenic. Be aware that this is alot of construction in the trailhead area, especially roadwork.
boisedoc - Sep 12, 2006 5:28 am Date Climbed: Jun 28, 1993
Nice hikeNice hike from the ski area
osatrik - Aug 15, 2006 6:26 am Date Climbed: Apr 14, 1993
Spring in the SnowDaughter Vanessa and I climbed a week or two after the ski area closed in 1993. There was a nice set of steps up from the gully, evidently set by a couple of backcountry skiers the previous day. The summit ridge was socked in, and we couldn't see a thing. In fact at one point we got disoriented in a spot where the ridge flattened out a lot, and had to pull out the compass to figure out which direction to continue on the ridge. That problem solved, just kept on the ridge until we found the plaque! Wheeler was number 40 of my 49 state high points, and number 39 for my daughter Vanessa, the last of the SHPs we did together.
MoapaPk - Jul 30, 2006 12:38 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 1982
cold at nightSlept on top Oct, 1982. 10F, but at least there was no thunder & lightning!
Joe_Parvis - Jun 5, 2006 8:29 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2006
Honeymoon daliance - Williams Lake routeOn honeymoon in Taos. Wife and I hiked from Phoenix Restaurant up to Williams Lake, where she stopped and enjoyed the sun and scenery. I continued up from lake to saddle and over to summit. The route from the lake is steep but short and can be accomplished quickly if you are in great shape (not me) OR don't mind gasping (me). Started from lake at 1135am and back at 145pm with 10 mins on top. Late but luckily beat thunder, which held off until 400pm (when we were down eating chili in the valley). Around the basin there seem to be many mountains with more challenging routes, but this is a great option if time is limited and you are looking for a straightforward route. (Note: only occasional [avoidable] small snow patches were left; summer conditions.)
gunnersmith - Jun 5, 2006 1:15 am Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2006
Bull of the WoodsIt was a nice summer day for this stroll. This is a nice state highpoint achieved with little effort. Recommended.
Dan the Jones - Apr 12, 2006 2:17 pm Date Climbed: May 8, 2005
FrigidStarted out around 10pm and reached the fork past Bull of the Woods. Spent a frigid night, due more to the wind chill then the actual temperature, watching the tent shudder in the wind. At the crack of light we broke camp and continued our hike, reached several large snow packs, that made us break out the axes. As we approached La Cal Basin, thought it would be quicker to traverse the ridgeline. This made for a much shorter direct route. However we did encounter a very slippery scree/talus slope near the top of La Cal Basin. Was a crystal clear day, we could see for miles once we reached Wheeler Peak. Glissaded on our behinds all the way down Williams Lake slope. Stopped to eat underneath the tree line. Is a quick hike from Williams Lake. Great hike.
FlyBoy1 - Apr 7, 2006 3:10 am
FlyBoyI climbed Wheeler back in the 1960's . At that time we had the ability to drive to Bull of the Woods , before you enter the wilderness area. Then Nixon declared it all a wilderness area. He also gave the land South of Wheeler back to the Indians. No gripe here about that. I just miss going to see the beautiful area of Blue Lake.
NanitaD - Apr 7, 2006 12:33 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 1996
Bull of the WoodsWe went up Bull of the Woods, but went back almost straight down the side to the lake.
Mountain Jim - Mar 11, 2006 4:34 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 1996
Bull of the Woods55th birthday climb.
noggin - Mar 7, 2006 1:28 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2005
Bull of the WoodsThis is a long hike. Make sure to leave enough time to get down before the thunderstorms roll in.
Joel Hopper - Feb 20, 2006 6:04 pm
Route Climbed: Bull of the Woods Date Climbed: Summer 1998We climbed on a cool clear day as a warm-up for the Enchanted Circle Century ride which we completed the next day. It was the Tour de Wheeler from all angles. Climbed with Dr. David Brown.
txmountaineer - Jan 7, 2006 4:14 pm
Route Climbed: Bull Of The Woods Trail Date Climbed: 05 January 2006A nice, thoguh icy & long winter climb up the Bull Of The Woods trail. Route-finding was interesting around La Cal Basin trying to avoid the deep snow, however, the summit was truly rewarding!
e-doc - Dec 31, 2005 9:38 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 1998
Route Climbed: Bull of Woods Date Climbed: Sept 17, 1998I suppose that I became a highpointer when I stood atop Mt Whitney five years earlier and thought to myself; "HUM, I've been to the highest mountain in Arizona and California, as well as Mt Mitchell and Clingmans Dome. Wouldn't it be neat to do all fifty states?" This thought was just a random idea.
After our 4 day trip to the Chicago Basin, Brian and I drove over for a 2 day hike up Wheeler to bag my third western highpoint. We backed in and camped in the La Cal Basin, summited the next day. Nice clear day, though cold and windy. I tried to pick out peaks at Philmont Scout Ranch that I visited so long before. Peaceful and we had the mountain to ourselves.
IamLubos - Nov 28, 2005 1:27 pm
Route Climbed: Bull of the Woods Date Climbed: November 25, 2005Beautiful day on the top but super windy by the basin. The lower trail was covered by ice. The trail above the pasture had few feet of snow on it. The snow was pretty hard (it stayed below freezing all day) so snowshoes were not needed. Only saw one other group on the mountain. 22nd HP.
skorpeo - Nov 1, 2005 12:34 am
Route Climbed: Williams Lake Date Climbed: 1999It' s about a two hour hike straight up. I used to ski at Taos quite a bit, so wanted to to do wheeler because I looked at it all the time.
dyscti - Oct 29, 2005 3:56 pm
Route Climbed: Bull of the Woods up, Williams Lake down Date Climbed: August 30th, 2005All I remember from this hike was the heavy construction taking place at the trailhead and the fields of grasshoppers near the summit. I think we made the right decision in going down the steep route.