Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Wheeler Peak Trail
Climb New Mexico's highest peak through bristlecone pines and alpine tundra.
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Length
- 8.2 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 3,000 ft
- Duration
- 6–8
- Best Season
- Jun–Oct
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Features
- State high point, Alpine tundra
About the trail
Wheeler Peak (13,167 ft) is the highest point in New Mexico. The Williams Lake Trail leaves Taos Ski Valley, climbs through spruce-fir to the cirque of Williams Lake, then switches up open tundra to a windswept summit ridge. Bighorn sheep and marmots are common above treeline.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 36.5569, -105.4172Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Park at the Williams Lake / Wheeler Peak trailhead in Taos Ski Valley's Bavarian lot.
- Hike 2 miles to Williams Lake.
- Take the signed Wheeler Peak Trail switchbacking up the headwall.
- Follow the ridge 0.7 miles to the summit.
- Return via the same route.
Parking
Bavarian Lodge upper lot in Taos Ski Valley — free in summer.
Tips from the trail
- Afternoon thunderstorms are near-daily in summer; summit by 11 AM.
- No water above Williams Lake.
- Wind can exceed 50 mph on the summit ridge — bring a shell.