"The Taos 12". Taos Ski Valley serves as your perfect basecamp for adventures into the surrounding peaks. This challenge brings you to the summits of 12 peaks surrounding the valley, including classic 13,161 ft Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico. Builds on the Taos 5 with 7 additional peaks, some of which require off-trail travel and routefinding.
Highest peak
Wheeler Peak
13,161 ft / 4,011 m
Most prominent peak
Wheeler Peak
3,409 ft / 1,039 m prom
Most summited peak
Wheeler Peak
161 summits
Most difficult peak
Kachina Peak
Class 3
Difficulty breakdown
Class 3/4 1 peak
Highlights
Latest summits
"This cirque route ran the ridge up and down about a half dozen 12-13k peaks over the entire traverse. Wheeler Peak, Mount Walter, Simpson Peak, Rich Peak, Lake Fork Peak and Kachina Peak to name some of them. My legs are absolutely smoked. Driving south to Texas to bag the highest peak there tomorrow. Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park." — wiweasel • Sep 29, 2023
"This cirque route ran the ridge up and down about a half dozen 12-13k peaks over the entire traverse. Wheeler Peak, Mount Walter, Simpson Peak, Rich Peak, Lake Fork Peak and Kachina Peak to name some of them. My legs are absolutely smoked. Driving south to Texas to bag the highest peak there tomorrow. Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park." — wiweasel • Sep 29, 2023
"This cirque route ran the ridge up and down about a half dozen 12-13k peaks over the entire traverse. Wheeler Peak, Mount Walter, Simpson Peak, Rich Peak, Lake Fork Peak and Kachina Peak to name some of them. My legs are absolutely smoked. Driving south to Texas to bag the highest peak there tomorrow. Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park." — wiweasel • Sep 29, 2023
"This cirque route ran the ridge up and down about a half dozen 12-13k peaks over the entire traverse. Wheeler Peak, Mount Walter, Simpson Peak, Rich Peak, Lake Fork Peak and Kachina Peak to name some of them. My legs are absolutely smoked. Driving south to Texas to bag the highest peak there tomorrow. Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park." — wiweasel • Sep 29, 2023
"This cirque route ran the ridge up and down about a half dozen 12-13k peaks over the entire traverse. Wheeler Peak, Mount Walter, Simpson Peak, Rich Peak, Lake Fork Peak and Kachina Peak to name some of them. My legs are absolutely smoked. Driving south to Texas to bag the highest peak there tomorrow. Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park." — wiweasel • Sep 29, 2023