"Hiked up to Williams Lake and set up camp in the area. We decided to go for an early evening summit instead of the next morning since weather cleared up, and it was the right move. Beautiful up on the peak with nobody around except a family of big horn sheep. Did the short trek up to Mt. Walter as well before heading back down to camp for a relaxing night." — jodola • Jul 15, 2020

"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

"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

"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

"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

"Unseasonably warm conditions. Busy on the mountain. Started at daylight. Bitten by a dog in the parking lot, but all uphill after that. First stint through the woods was peaceful, long slog up switchbacks in canyon shadowed the sun (and wind). Very clear why this route is not suited for winter. Once you break over the ridge, beautiful view, sunlight - and wind. Lots of it. Easy saunter along the ridge to the summit. Car-summit-car in ~4 hours." — fish • Oct 14, 2017

"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