Region
Highlights
- Wheeler Peak is the highest peak in the state of New Mexico.
- Lies in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains, in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness. Taos Ski Valley lies to the northwest of Wheeler Peak and the town of Taos is about 15 miles to the southwest.
- The standard route on Wheeler Peak is along the north ridge.
- Big horn sheep are common in the area.
Routes
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28 summits • 11.4 mi • 3,999 ft gain • 9 hr 49 min
28 summits • 9.3 mi • 2,964 ft gain • 5 hr 6 min
8 summits • 10.6 mi • 4,039 ft gain • 9 hr 30 min
3 summits • 12.1 mi • 3,852 ft gain • 30 hr 34 min
2 summits • 18.2 mi • 5,252 ft gain
1 summit • 24.7 mi • 5,693 ft gain • 52 hr 1 min
1 summit • 14.1 mi • 4,329 ft gain • 30 hr 34 min
Latest summits
"This hikes starts among all the houses up past Taos Ski area. Follow the trail to Williams Lake and then take a left up the Wheeler Trail. Marmots and Big Horn Sheep were visible. Lightning prevented a summit that was 100 yards away. I was the tallest thing around and could have been easily struck as the Thunder and Lightning was moving in. " — UP • Oct 27, 2019
"Last year this same group hiked to the top of Mount Elbert, Colorado state highpoint, so this year during our trip we decided to head south to New Mexico and hike Wheeler Peak. Luckily, we didn't get an early start since we dealt with some clouds and wind on the ascent to the summit. We saw plenty of pika, marmot, and mule deer on the trip. Summit was socked in while we were on top, but cleared up as we headed over to Walter. During the descent we got our best weather of the day and great views before we got down below treeline again. Back to the car by 1:30pm If I remember correctly." — LGH-Tom • Aug 20, 2018
"Another sweet peak victory with LGHTom and our friend Matt from NY. We were socked in pretty much the entire way up, but things cleared up as we went over to Mt. Walter. Tons of wildlife up there! " — LGH-Dan • Aug 20, 2018
"Day 1: My daughter Christina came to town for a 2 week visit and we made plans to have a 3 day peakbagging and backpacking adventure. I originally planned for us to peakbag in the Pecos Wilderness, but fire restrictions closed the area. We decided to go to the Wheeler Peak Wilderness, home of the highest peak in New Mexico. We left the house at 5:00 AM, June 15, 2018. We drove to the town of Red River then went south on Highway 578 to the East Fork Parking area. We arrived at 8:20 and were hiking by 8:40. The starting elevation was 9630 and it was a cool clear morning. Christina brought her dog Bane along for the trip. I had a 34 pound pack and Christina had a 29 pound pack and Bane a little pack with food. New Mexico was in the middle of a drought, so I was surprised how lush and green everything was. We could hardly find a square meter that did not have wildflowers in it. We started hiking on Trail 56, later this turned into Trail 91. I have 2 speeds of hiking, one is a slow a pace, but I can do it all day without stopping. Then I have a “let’s move it” pace. I used the slow pace, and except for some standing pictures stops, we did not stop all the way until we reached our cam..." — Phil-Robinson • Jun 16, 2018
"The day of our ascent, there was a thunderstorm promised for later in the day, so we ascended faster than we would normally. Above the treelike, the wind increased dramatically, stealing the breath from you. On the summit ridge, it was extremely hard to walk as the gusts would knock you off balance with alarming regularity. We did successfully summit, and enjoyed the company of a chipmunk as we sat in the lee of the wind, once again celebrating our achievement with chocolate cigars!" — jenkinsrj@earthlink.net • Sep 22, 2017
"After climbing Guadalupe Peak, TX and Black Mesa, OK the last 2 days, today we made our way up to Wherler Peak via Bull-of-the-Woods trail. We made quick stops at BOTW Peak, Fraser Mountain & Walter Peak along the way. Took the Williams Lake trail down (with some perfect glissading). " — Kevin • Jun 4, 2017
"I reached the Taos Valley Ski road around 2 pm with a thunderstorm hitting Wheeler peak at that moment. I set up camp below the ski valley and had to wait only about half an hour for the storm to clear. I parked and began to hike to Williams Lake, then decided to try for Wheeler. I summited but quickly had to leave as a storm began to form just west of the mountain. I ran off the summit/ridge and got hailed on just a little, but fortunately there was no lightning. As quickly as the storm began to form, it broke up." — ZachTeich • Jul 3, 2016
"Took Bull-of-the-Woods trail up to Wheeler in order to hit Fraser and Walter as well. Really nice trail. Recommend breaking at the stream crossing before ascending back up toward Fraser. Once out of the tree line the views are plentiful.
Descended by way of Williams Lake trail. LOTS of hikers out today, as it was a Saturday later in the season.
" — aaronmcnany • Sep 19, 2015
"Night hiked starting at the Taos Ski Village, Bull of the Woods trailhead at 9pm. Hiked 4 miles up and made midnight camp on flat ridge line. Summit day was bluebird day. Hiked 12 miles in all and bagged Wheeler. Met a Ranger counting the bighorn herds. There were over 50 that day on the mountain and a herd of cows too. Lots of folks on the trail from Texas and a pair from New Mexico. Most except for 2 groups came up the 7 mi trail." — bill4reel • Jul 25, 2014
"Made the trip from Las Vegas, NV with 10 other friends from the Hiking Las Vegas hiking group, with the single objective of summitting New Mexico's highest peak, Wheeler. We took the Bull-of-the-Woods trail up, stopping at Bull-of-the-Woods Peak, Fraser Peak & Walter Peak on the way. It was an early season ascent & we did encounter quite a bit of snow on the way up, but nothing too difficult to cross. After Wheeler, we descended via Williams Lake Trail, but 1/2 way down the switchbacks, we encountered a LOT of really deep snow that went all the way down to the bottom. We decided to turn lemons into lemonade & had an impromptu butt-sliding session all the way to the bottom! It was definitely the quickest & funnest descent I've done! After that was the long slog back to our vehicles. What an amazing day! This was my 4th state high point in the last 4 years. Loved it! This is one of the best hikes I've done!" — Kevin • May 4, 2013
"Bright and early Friday morning, September 21, 2012 my friend Jim Miller and I headed north to hike the highest peak in New Mexico, Wheeler Peak, plus 4 other peaks. We left my house at 5:45 AM, drove to the town of Red River then south on highway 578 to a parking area on the East Fork of the Red River. It took us 4 hours of driving. It was a cool clear fresh crisp morning when we started hiking. We started at 10:00 AM at an elevation of 9630 feet. We left on trail 56 which later turned into trail 91. I hiked Wheeler Peak with my son Garret 6 years ago on the same month. This was before I became an ultralight luxury camper. On that hike I was carrying about 50 pounds. This hike, including all the group gear and two pounds one ounce of prime rib eye steak, I was carrying 35 pounds. (The steak weighed more than my pack.) Our plan was to camp at Lost Lake then hike 5 peaks the next day. On the way up someone told us about a good camping area at Horseshoe Lake so we changed plans and decided to stay there. It was a beautiful forested hike, at times crossing and hiking near a pretty little stream. I have hiked so many peaks this year, 26 before this trip, that I didn’t even feel the hik..." — Phil-Robinson • Sep 22, 2012
"2nd Peak of a quick jaunt west from D.C. - Climbed Mt. Elbert 2 days before. We initially wanted to take the Bull in the woods trail because of the lack of avalanche danger. However, time didn't permit and with decent thaw freeze cycle for over a week from last snow we felt comfortable heading up the steep face from Williams Lake. We performed a few snow tests and felt comfortable so proceed up the face staying on the rocks as best we could. A few fall and your dead spots but overall a great climb. Snowshoes were key as there was quite a bit more snow than on Mt. Elbert. We summited without issue, although the winds were extreme once we reached the summit ridge. So much so that I snapped a quick iPhone pic with the cannon and turned around before losing fingers. One day up and back was exhausting but I got to enjoy and amazing 36 ounces of Spaten Optimeter at the Bavarian Lodge at the trail head for Williams Lake. Climbing up through the valley was truly a treat." — ClimbingRandy • Dec 11, 2011
"Hiked up bull of woods, uphill all the way, gradual climb.Hit the summit with very windy conditions. Then steep down to williams lake, finishing at the Bavarian for a well earned beer. Hard on my knees, hips, otherwise pretty cool hike." — adameco • Aug 7, 2011
"Absolutely perfect weather. Took bull of the woods trailhead at 0630 that morning. Arrived 4 hours later at summit. The best views are all at the last 1-2 miles of the trail, dont give up!" — thuthsteiner • Aug 6, 2011
"I head off from the Taos Ski Resort area about 0630 am, 4 hour 31 minute round trip. I head up the Williams Lake Trail and bushwhack straight up the west slope to the summit, I arriving about 0930 on the summit. a young couple comes up Twining Blue Lake Trail. about 35 degree with clouds, snow, brisk west winds on the summit." — rhudedog • Oct 18, 2010
"My first recorded highpoint, done with Marcel. Marcel and I camped overnight in Twining, arriving after a rainstorm. Arising at 5 a.m for breakfast and breaking camp, we were on trail at 7:15. Hike up was beautiful along a briskly moving mountain stream. Got slightly lost on a ski trail, but quickly recovered with aid of GPS. As we were nearing the ridgeline, a descending hiker who we had spoke with the previous evening told us that he had encountered an impassable snow patch and thus had turned around perhaps 10-15 minutes from the summit. Discouraged, we decided to proceed anyway and see for ourselves. Fortunately, we were able to simply hike up above and around the snow patch.
Lingered about 45 minutes at summit, but seeing a thunderstorm approaching decided to descend.
After walking back along the ridge a way, we saw hikers descending to Williams lake, and looking at map, could see that this would be a viable way back. Thus began a downwards scramble through loose rock of about 2000 feet before reaching a trail. On the way saw a beautiful big-horn ram who lingered quite close to trail. Reached the lake and soaked our feet, then mild thunderstorm rolled in, dropping silky ..." — wbrouhaha • Jul 16, 2008
"Went up via the Bull-Of-The-Woods trail, came down via Williams Lake (steep!). Had a bit of rain/hail on the way up. Some snow near treeline on the way up, plenty of snow from Williams Lake towards the ski area." — jeffhubatka • Jun 17, 2008
"My first attempt at a big western peak and I got a crash course in acclimatization. Aborted my first attempt around 12K along the Bull-of-the-Woods Route due to altitude sickness. Hung out in Taos for a couple of days and then scooted up the Williams Lake route with little difficulty. Fun mountain!" — catamount • Sep 25, 2006
"On Saturday, September 2, 2006, we drove south of Red River and parked at the Wheeler Peak parking area. My 26 year old son Garret and I put on backpacks, I had about 50 lbs. Also along was Garret’s part basset hound, Sam. We hiked about 7 miles, into the Wheeler Wilderness area, to Lost Lake, and set up a base camp. It rained and hailed the last mile and it was a little cold and wet when we arrived. We had a wonderful rib eye steak dinner and an evening campfire. The next morning, September 3rd, we put on day packs, and hiked a 6 1/3 mile loop until we came back to our base camp. We hiked past Horseshoe Lake, to the highest peak in New Mexico, Wheeler Peak. Incredible views! We went along a fairly established trail. We then headed north to the second highest peak, Mt. Walter. We decided not to go back by way of trail and continued north until we could see Lost Lake from the ridge then descended a steep slope to the lake and our base camp. We had a good dinner and a good night’s sleep. The next morning, September 4th, it was clear and beautiful; we put on backpacks and returned to Garret’s truck. The return trip, as always, is so much easier, downhill and with less weight. We tried..." — Phil-Robinson • Sep 3, 2006
"At midnight on July 1, 1991, 5 climbers, Pete Allard, Jim Grace, Shaun Lacher, David Sandway and myself, Dennis Stewart, took their first step off the summit of Mount Rainier and began a climbing marathon to reach the highest point in each of the 48 contiguous states in one calendar month. During the month of July in 1991, the team hiked over 250 miles, climbed over 14 vertical miles and drove over 14,000 miles. Their total time (summit to summit) was 30 days, 10 hours and 52 minutes. All 5 members of the climbing team reached every summit during the month long expedition. Wheeler Peak was the 42nd peak climbed on this record breaking trip, which got the team recognition in Guinness Book of Records." — Stewy • Jul 21, 1991
Photos
Awards
Challenges
About peakery awards
Log successful summits on peakery to earn awards:
Peak Badges: Earn a special badge for each unique peak you summit. See all of your badges on your Badges page.
First Ascent Award: Only 1 available per peak. Goes to the first peakery member to log a successful summit of a peak. Snag this award and the peak will forever bear your name.
King of the Mountain Award: Only 1 available per peak. Summit a peak more times than any other member. Beware: this award can be lost!
Summit Steward: Summit a peak at least 5 times to become one of its Summit Stewards. As Steward of a peak, you’re encouraged to keep that peak’s info up-to-date on peakery and spread goodwill on your future climbs up the peak.