Re: Mt. Wheeler, Highest 13er in NM
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 6:19 am
I've spent a fair amount of time on the Red River side. There is a short cut if you go all the way to Middle Fork Lake (which had very poor trout numbers when I was there in early June last year-maybe was stocked later). I learned about this unofficial route from the cross country ski guys there in Red River (I think it's called Enchanted Forest). It cuts off some mileage.
As you come to Middle Fork Lake go the left. There is a trail- it will take some route finding skills at times, but with a a GPS, you'll be fine. After a couple of miles or so, you'll intersect the trail that everyone takes from the Taos side- then you have it.
One last suggestion: If you have time, I'd also recommend Gold Hill. I did it one time and enjoyed it as much. If you can get up the rough 4WD road a few miles, you could do it relatively quickly.
As you come to Middle Fork Lake go the left. There is a trail- it will take some route finding skills at times, but with a a GPS, you'll be fine. After a couple of miles or so, you'll intersect the trail that everyone takes from the Taos side- then you have it.
One last suggestion: If you have time, I'd also recommend Gold Hill. I did it one time and enjoyed it as much. If you can get up the rough 4WD road a few miles, you could do it relatively quickly.