• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Ski New Mexico

Skiing and Snowboarding in the Land of Enchantment

  • PLAN YOUR VACATION
    • PLAN BY SERVICE
      • ALL SERVICES
      • LODGING
      • EQUIPMENT RENTALS
      • RESTAURANT
      • ACTIVITIES
    • INSPIRATION
      • CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
      • COMPARE NM RESORTS
      • COVID-19 UPDATE
  • RESORTS & DESTINATIONS
    • Resorts
      • ANGEL FIRE RESORT
      • PAJARITO MOUNTAIN
      • RED RIVER SKI AREA
      • SANDIA PEAK
      • SIPAPU
      • SKI APACHE
      • SKI SANTA FE
      • TAOS SKI VALLEY
    • Nordic Resorts
      • ANGEL FIRE NORDIC
      • ENCHANTED FOREST
    • Destinations
      • ALBUQUERQUE
      • LOS ALAMOS
      • RED RIVER
      • SANTA FE
      • TOWN OF TAOS
      • VILLAGE OF ANGEL FIRE
      • VILLAGE OF RUIDOSO
      • VILLAGE OF TAOS SKI VALLEY
  • WEBCAMS
  • DEALS
  • STORIES
  • SNOW REPORT
BACK TO BLOG

Hike to Wheeler Peak – Elevation 13,161

by monica April 19, 2019

There are two ways to reach the highest peak in New Mexico and we asked an expert to guide us through both assents. Our guide, Ray Honea, highly recommended that we start in Red River and arrange a shuttle to pick us up at the bottom of the Taos side. Plus the cold beer at the Bavarian Restaurant would be well earned.

Hike to Wheeler Peak From Red River NM

The hike to Wheeler Peak from Red River is a classic mountain hike. You will hike along streams and by lakes. You will cross mountain meadows with wild flowers, and above tree line there are views that stretch from the Sandias in the south to the 14,000 foot peaks of southern Colorado to the north. But the reward is the summit, the highest point in New Mexico.

The trailhead is easy to find. Go through the mountain town of Red River toward the upper valley of Red River. Where the pavement ends turn right on a gravel road marked for Middle Fork Lake. Park in the designated parking lot and hit the trail. Go through a locked gate and hike up the road. Four-wheel drive vehicles used to be allowed on this trail, but due to washouts and erosion they are now banned. When you get to the second locked gate hang a left and cross a footbridge and follow the middle fork of the Red River. You can either follow the winding road up or you can hug the river and follow the trail. The trail along the river is steeper and shorter. After awhile you come to a crossing and follow the old road to Middle Fork Lake. This is a great place for your first rest stop. It’s a beautiful mountain lake at the base of the peaks and great trout fishing, too.

Continuing on to Wheeler, cross the small stream coming out of the lake and follow a trail that heads south, up and away from the lake. Soon you drop into another drainage and follow this 2 miles until you come to a trail coming from the right. This trail comes from Taos Ski Valley through Bull of the Woods. Take a left on this established trail and soon you will enter La Cal Basin, a beautiful mountain meadow above tree line. Up ahead you can see the peaks laid out in the distance: Frazer, Walter, and finally Wheeler. It seems to take forever to cross the basin so just enjoy the views and the wild flowers if you’re hiking in the summer.

Finally you climb to the ridge that connects the peaks. Great views unfold as you hike up and over MI. Frazer then MI. Walter and then the final push to Wheeler Peak Sign in, take some pictures, have some lunch and enjoy the view. If you picked a perfect day hang out and enjoy the 360 views: Kachina Peak and Williams Lake to the west, Lake Fork Peak and Old Mike to the south,

Baldy and Touch Me Not are to the east, Gold Hill and the Latir peaks to the north.

The hike to Wheeler thru Red River is 16 miles round trip. Elevation gain: 3161, Wheeler 13,161– trailhead 10,000. A tough, full day of hiking but ample rewards along the trail to make it memorable.

For more information on hiking from the Taos side click here.

Categories:
  • Ski New Mexico News, 
  • Skier Stories, 
  • Summer Activities, 
  • BACK TO BLOG;

    Primary Sidebar

  • Categories
    • Behind the Scenes
    • Contest
    • Culture
    • Food & Drink
    • Happenings
    • Sandia Peak
    • Ski New Mexico News
    • Skier Stories
    • Skiing
    • Summer Activities
    • Tips
    • Travel
    • Uncategorized
    • Weather

    Open
    Enjoying this incredible snow! 

@foreverfitvic #skinewmexico #skinm #girlswhosnowboard
    Open
    Let's be honest, we're all smiling ear to ear whenever we get on the mountain! 😄 

📸: New Mexico True

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM
    Open
    We are constantly in awe of the photos taken of our beautiful state! Thanks @kevinrebholtzphotography for letting us share this beautiful picture of @skitaos! 

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM
    Open
    Gotta keep warm during these snowy days! Where's your favorite place to stop after a day in the snow? ❄️ ⛷️ 

📸: @saltbushandsage at Taos Ski Valley

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM
    Open
    Sunday vibes 😎 

📸: @adam_dantonio

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM
    Open
    These beautiful winter days have us feeling some type of way! ❄️ ⛷️ ☀️ 

Where are you headed this weekend?

📸: @khandybee

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM
    Open
    Snowmaking magic at Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort! ❄️ ✨ 

📸: @sipapunm 

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM #sipapu #SkiSipapu #Sipapuskiandsummerresort
    Open
    Gotta teach 'em young! How old were you when you first learned to ski or snowboard? 

📸: New Mexico True

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM
    Open
    The Big Rocks at @skisantafe have us jumping for joy! 😉 

📸: @skisantafe 

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM #skisantafe #skibueno
    Open
    Give us a front row seat to Taos Ski Valley any day! ❄️ 

📸: @catforceone 

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM #skitaos
    Open
    Incredible weekend on the slopes! Thank you to all the great staff keeping us safe and happy! 

The conditions are so good. Make your plans to get up to the mountain. 

📸 @austin_4aslan 

@skisantafe #skinewmexico #skinm #nmtrue #skibueno
    Open
    We love ski selfies! 📸 

Shoutout to @alikhaneats for letting us share this picture! Don't forget to tag us in your photos to be featured on our pages! 

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM

    Footer

    KNOW THE SNOW

    GET THE eSNOW REPORT, NEWS & DEALS!

    • ABOUT US
    • EMPLOYMENT
    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    • MEMBERSHIP
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • NM SKI HALL OF FAME
    • RESOURCES
    • WEBCAMS
    • BLOG
    • CONTACT US
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • nmtrue logo

    ©2020 Ski New Mexico Site Designed by Carristo Creative