Take a Peak - Tackle the Highest Peak in New Mexico
FREE guided hike to Wheeler Peak
Take a Peak -Tackle the Highest Peak in New Mexico
Free Guided hike with Taos Ski Valley Mayor Neal King
On September 2, affable long-time Taos Ski Valley mayor, Neal King, will lead a hike to13,161 foot Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico. Beginning at 7:30 AM, at the Hikers Parking area just before the Bavarian Restaurant and Lodge. Hardy hikers are asked to bring a lunch, snack, plenty of water, rain, warm gear and sturdy boots. The maybe 8 hour hike will take the new Wheeler Peak Trail, which is just before the down to Williams Lake. Everyone who has hiked this new trail has given it five stars. This writer hopes to be the “sweep” for the adventure.
Once known as Taos Peak, it was renamed Wheeler Peak in 1950, in memory of Major George Montague Wheeler - 1842-1905, who, for ten years, lead surveyors and naturalists to its top, collecting all sorts of geology, biology, plant and topographic data. Wheeler keeps company with Mt. Walter to the North and Lake Fork Peak just across from Williams Lake and to the West. There’s a new trail which takes off just before the down slope leading to Williams Lake. Completed by a Forest Service crew in 2011, they built 4 miles of new trail, cutting switchbacks with hand tools.
It’s a strenuous and beautiful hike.
CONTACTS:
. 575-776-1413
. 800-517-9816
