Wheeler peak new mexico

[gbateman25]

Sorry, know this isn't a 14er, but thinking of camping near wheeler this summer. Anyone know any good multi-peak routes to do with wheeler? Something long-ish?

[desertdog]

Some I would look at...

Lake Fork Peak / Vallecito Peaks west of Wheeler (Big Day Class 2)

North Truchas Peak via Trampas Lake ( Very Big Day Class 4 4WD TH)

The peaks in the Latir Peak Wilderness (Good Trails Class 1 and 2 Easy 4WD TH Can be a loong day if you want)

Little Costilla (Class 2)

Jicarita Peak (Class 1 There is a fairly large burn area at the start but great views once you get up on the ridge Easy 4WD TH)

[greenschist]

There are lots of options for Wheeler. I know there are trip reports on this site that I found useful, but you have to do an advanced search with "Wheeler" in the "other peak" field.

The standard class 1 trail from the Taos Ski Valley lots is a highway and busy on summer weekends. I took this route two summers ago, then followed the trail on the ridge toward Simpson and Old Mike peaks, tagging Mount Walter on the way back. Wheeler, Old Mike, and Walter are the three highest points in NM (only Wheeler is ranked). The scenery is the same as much of Colorado. If you go this way, avoid travelling south of the Simpson-Old Mike ridge into the Taos Pueblo Wilderness. You might see trails that continue that way but that area is closed to the public. You might also see "No Tresspassing" signs, but the ridge itself should be fine. My Strava recorded over 12 miles with >4k feet of gain, but I also added a detour to a waterfall above Williams Lake.

You cold also approach from the East Fork TH, though this route is longer and may require 4WD. It will be a lot quieter. I know people will also start at the Ski Valley lots, then summit Bull-of-the-Woods, Frazer, and Walter before hitting Wheeler from the north then looping down the standard trail.

If you're looking for something beyond class 1 or 2, there is the Wheeler Cirque. Summit Wheeler via the standard route, then follow the ridge going southwest around Williams Lake all the way to Kachina Peak or Pk 12012, then hike down the ski area. Of the dozens of people I saw on the mountain that day in 2023, there were only two doing the cirque. For this route you also need to make sure not to drop down south into the Pueblo Wilderness, though you could cliff out before getting too far.

If you really want a long day, you could combine the Bull-of-the-Woods approach with the Wheeler Cirque. You'd be looking at up to 10 peaks: Bull, Frazer, Walter, Wheeler, Simpson, Old Mike (short detour), Pk 12819, Lake Fork, Kachina, and Pk 12012. After 12012 there's a short bushwhack or a steep scree slope to some ski trails for an easy stroll back to the lots. This would be a long distance and huge amount of time above treeline.

[Chicago Transplant]

I've done the Wheeler to Kachina loop twice, once from the Bull of the Woods and once from the Williams Lake trailhead, the TR I did is from Bull of the Woods, which is the longer route. Its the second half of the TR, the first half is the Truchas group from Santa Barbara as an overnight.

The full Wheeler Cirque route is pretty fun with a few light scrambly sections. There are a few campgrounds on the road in you can camp in.

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... trip=17189