Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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kaiman
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Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by kaiman »

Hi Folks,

I was wondering whether anyone has any current beta on Wheeler Peak in New Mexico? Have they received any snow in the Taos area yet? I am looking to climb it possibly late this week (not with the CMC group though) or next week.

Thanks in advance,

kaiman
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jniehof
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Re: Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by jniehof »

Here's the view north from Santa Fe Baldy yesterday:
Image
Everything looks clear around the Truchas, and I haven't heard anything about snow further north. Also can't see any snow up there from Los Alamos. I'll post after this weekend, if you don't wind up going before me.
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kaiman
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Re: Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by kaiman »

jniehof wrote:Here's the view north from Santa Fe Baldy yesterday:

Everything looks clear around the Truchas, and I haven't heard anything about snow further north. Also can't see any snow up there from Los Alamos. I'll post after this weekend, if you don't wind up going before me.
jniehof,

Thanks for the info/pic. I would love to hear about your trip regardless, so yes please post some info when you get back.

Cheers!

kaiman
"I want to keep the mountains clean of racism, religion and politics. In the mountains this should play no role."

- Joe Stettner

"I haven't climbed Everest, skied to the poles, or sailed single-handed around the world. The goals I set out to accomplish aren't easily measured or quantified by world records or "firsts." The reasons I climb, and the climbs I do, are about more than distance or altitude, they are about breaking barriers within myself."

- Andy Kirkpatrick
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MtHurd
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Re: Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by MtHurd »

It's been very dry lately. No rain, no snow. Should be an easy climb. If I were you, I would do the entire Williams Lake cirque. You will get 3 of the 10 highest peaks in New Mexico and it's a fun scramble too. From Taos Ski Valley, hike up the Kachina lift, make a left and scale Kachina Peak. From here just keep circling around until you get to Wheeler.
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jniehof
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Re: Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by jniehof »

Absolutely zilch snow. The ground was a little frozen right above Williams Lake but I'm sure it softened over the day; that was the only sign of frozen water we saw. Looks like the color will peak this weekend. Conditions are great right now.
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Re: Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by Redleg Bruce »

Looking to do this the wekend after next, conditions permitting. Anyone have any idea as to whether or not snowshoes will be needed?
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Re: Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by MtHurd »

Here is the Taos Ski Valley web cam. Looks like some snow but I'm guessing not enough for snowshoes if you take the Williams Lake route (Bull of the Woods maybe). Campons might help out on the steep ascent up from Williams Lake if the snow hasn't already blown off. Axe may not be necessary but it would probably be a good idea to take it along if there is still snow on the steep part.

http://taoswebcam.com/Taos-Area-Cams/ta ... ebcam.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is Angel Fire which isn't too far away. Only looks like 2 or 3 inches.

http://taoswebcam.com/Taos-Area-Cams/an ... -park.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's a cam looking towards Wheeler Peak. The Wheeler group is on the left side of the web cam on the front page.

http://www.angelfireresort.com/winter/mountain-cams.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by kushrocks »

Bump, just in case anyone has been down there lately. With this weekends conditions in Colorado and my only days off Friday and Saturday im considering heading down that direction.
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Re: Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by tjerasdave »

Haven't been up there in a while but below is a link to some webcams. Looks like there is still a fair amount of snow up there.

http://www.skitaos.com/discover-taos/webcams/
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Re: Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by desertdog »

We climbed it a couple weeks ago via Williams Lake. It was snow the whole way. We got an early start and didn't need snowshoes. You may want bring them for the approach in the trees. Once out of the trees, we just booted it straight up the basin.

It's been pretty warm "down here" and we've had lots of snow melt. Since we climbed it, we had a storm with about 5 inches of snow, and we got a couple inches of snow in the mountains yesterday. I think it would be in good shape for this weekend.
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Re: Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by kushrocks »

Thanks for the update. Does anyone have the GPX points for the route at all? I'm having trouble finding them online.
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Re: Wheeler Peak New Mexico current conditions

Post by sstratta »

I skied up there today, there's continuous snow from the Bavarian on up to Williams lake, which is still snow covered. Lots of snow up higher, the wheeler peak area is slightly more bare but still pretty snowy.
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