OTHER Trip Report 08/18/2009

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	Wheeler Peak NM - 13161
Date Posted	08/18/2009
Date Climbed	08/13/2009
Author	njlinderer

Wheeler Peak NM- East Fork
Wheeler Peak via East Fork trail. Dad, brother, and I had the peak all to ourselves. Left early, hiking by 4 am. 42 degrees and very pleasant, around 80 later in the day. Beautiful sunrise and not a cloud in the sky. After cresting a ridge around 12,000 ft we looked down into a basin and saw a herd of around 100 elk. They took note of us immediately and began to move, completely in unison out of the area. The main reason for writing this report is to contrast this area to how busy I perceive some of the Colorado peaks to be- even on a gorgeous August day on the state‘s highest peak there was next to no one here. I highly recommend this mountain and this route. I saw more wildlife on this trek than on all of my 13 fourteener climbs combined. Mountain sheep, mule deer, and elk. Ran into two Canadians and that was it. An absolutely great hike- nice class 1 trail all the way. 12 miles round trip- A full blown approach through coniferous forests that follows a nice stream for several miles. Plenty of places to camp along the way, though we did not. Of note: The forests were lacking the burned remnants of lightning-struck trees. In fact, we were looking and didn‘t see evidence of any strikes. Anyone notice similar trends in the southern Rockies?? Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Wheeler Peak NM- East Fork

Wheeler Peak via East Fork trail. Dad, brother, and I had the peak all to ourselves. Left early, hiking by 4 am. 42 degrees and very pleasant, around 80 later in the day. Beautiful sunrise and not a cloud in the sky. After cresting a ridge around 12,000 ft we looked down into a basin and saw a herd of around 100 elk. They took note of us immediately and began to move, completely in unison out of the area. The main reason for writing this report is to contrast this area to how busy I perceive some of the Colorado peaks to be- even on a gorgeous August day on the state‘s highest peak there was next to no one here. I highly recommend this mountain and this route. I saw more wildlife on this trek than on all of my 13 fourteener climbs combined. Mountain sheep, mule deer, and elk. Ran into two Canadians and that was it. An absolutely great hike- nice class 1 trail all the way. 12 miles round trip- A full blown approach through coniferous forests that follows a nice stream for several miles. Plenty of places to camp along the way, though we did not. Of note: The forests were lacking the burned remnants of lightning-struck trees. In fact, we were looking and didn‘t see evidence of any strikes. Anyone notice similar trends in the southern Rockies??

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

scotthsu

don‘t
8/19/2009 4:06am

let the secret out about northern NM! it actually sucks down here. :wink:

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