Mid-October is the shoulder season on Wheeler Peak, and the window for a straightforward hike to the top of New Mexico is closing. Snowfall typically begins in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness in early October, and every calm, clear fall day from here on is a gift. Hikers who want the 13,161-foot summit — the highest point in the state — without snowshoes or skis should be watching the forecast and picking their day now.
Two Forest Service routes reach the top, and both start at Taos Ski Valley. The classic is Wheeler Peak Trail #90, a 7.3-mile trail the Forest Service lists for hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. From Taos, drivers head about four miles north on U.S. Highway 64 to State Highway 150, then follow 150 into the ski valley and through the parking area to Twining Campground, where parking is available next to the campground and not beyond it.
Trail #90 climbs northeast to Bull-of-the-Woods Pasture, 2.25 miles in, where it meets the Gold Hill Trail. A middle stretch crosses private land, and the Forest Service asks hikers to be courteous and stay on the route. Above Bull-of-the-Woods Mountain the trail runs at or above timberline, passes camping areas in La Cal Basin, and makes its final ascent. No technical climbing gear is needed — fitness, layers, and an early start matter far more than equipment.
The shorter option pairs Williams Lake Trail #62 with Wheeler Peak Summit Trail #67. The lake trail is a moderate walk of about two miles to Williams Lake, a natural lake sitting at 11,000 feet in a cirque of rugged peaks. The lake is too shallow to sustain fish, and camping and campfires are not permitted along its shore; campsites belong at least 300 feet from streams, springs, and lakes. Just before the lake, Summit Trail #67 branches off and switchbacks roughly two more miles to the ridge, where it joins Trail #90 a short distance from the summit. Equestrian travel is not permitted on #67, and hikers should stay on the maintained switchbacks — the steep old route is closed to traffic while the Carson National Forest rehabilitates it.
A few October cautions apply to either route. The trailheads already sit above 10,000 feet, so altitude affects visitors quickly; water, sun protection, and a willingness to turn around are essentials. One more planning note: the Forest Service alerts page says Williams Lake #62, Wheeler Summit #67, Wheeler Peak #90, and neighboring trails will close for one week at a future date in 2026 for traditional purposes, with the exact dates still to come. Anyone planning a late-season summit attempt should check the Carson National Forest alerts page before driving up — and if the weather lines up this week, go sooner rather than later.