Wheeler Peak at 60

[rauburg]

This was a big weekend for me. I climbed Wheeler Peak, scratching one off my list on my 60th birthday.

The wife and I left Midland Thursday after work and spent the night in Roswell. We drove to Taos on Friday and Saturday was a big day. My wife has always been interested in hot air balloons and she booked a ride for us.

The flight was really cool. We launched top of the Pecos River Gorge. The pilot maneuvered over and down into the Gorge. We went right down to the river's level almost 600 below the canyon rim, really cool.


We landed after about an hour and a half. I am a pilot but have never been really interested in balloons since West Texas is not favorable for flying them. I was impressed though and I highly recommend a flight in a balloon if you ever have the chance.

I woke up at 4:30 on Sunday the 19th; Father's Day, "Juneteenth," and my 60th Birthday. I planned to take the Bull of the Woods trail to the top of Wheeler Peak. At 16 miles round trip with a 3,700+-' gain I really didn't know if I would make it or not. I knew that it would be a long day and that high winds were in the forecast.

Snow banks began to be a problem at the meadow before the final climb. Everyone was having problems finding the trail going up and coming down through them. After a delay I began the climb out of the meadow where I encountered the Mountain Goats, or is it Bighorn Sheep? I saw them going up and coming down.


They didn't seem to be bothered much by me and barely moved out of the way. I also got a glimpse of the peak and more snow banks.


The views are incredible above the tree line, spectacular vistas in every direction.


The winds hit early and they hit hard. Everyone was struggling to reach the peak. I don't know how hard the winds were blowing but they were strong enough to knock you down if you weren't careful. There were lots of people climbing that day. Everyone would crouch and make a run for it when the winds died down and/or scramble along the back side of the mountain to keep out of the wind.

Fighting the wind was hard work and thankfully, I was finally able to reach the top.


It was a long way down with detours around the snow banks. I reached the trailhead 12 hours after I left. Wheeler Peak is a rewarding and beautiful trip. If I had it to do over, I would make it a one or two nighter and overnight in the meadow.

We had one more adventure. My wife wanted to try White Water rafting. We woke on Monday to an overcast sky and temps in the mid 40's. Never fear, the rafting company promised wet weather gear and fleece. We suited up and began a 6 mile run of the river with class 2 and 3 rapids. The river was high and Faith and I were the only passengers in our boat. It was a great ride and she loved it. It was a lot of fun though and very reasonable.


After the run, we loaded up and headed home. We saw the big fire north of Santa Fe that is still burning. The grasslands north of Roswell was really dry and the color of straw, just like the land in BIBE. This country is hurting and we need rain in the worst way. Nothing is on the horizon though, I just hope that we get some rain soon.

All in all it was a great trip and it will be one that will be hard to beat.

Randy

[dkerr24]

Randy - I've also hiked to top of Wheeler, and the winds are really rough at times.  I did the ascent in August, so no snow pack to deal with.

I camped overnight at Bull of the Woods meadow, so that shaved off about 3 miles off the round trip versus if I had hiked up from the ski resort's parking lot.



I agree with you, once you get above treeline, the views are expansive!

[dkerr24]

I tried hiking to the top of Gold Hill (lol some 'hill') the day before I hiked up Wheeler, but sleet/hail and 40+ winds turned me back before I reached the summit. 

Quicksilver is right about the trail... it branches off to your left just a few yards shy of that pond at Bull of the Woods Meadow.  It makes an immediate climb, winding its way out above the treeline.  There's an abandoned mine site you'll pass on the way, too.



Darin

[dkerr24]

Randy, I read your PM and replied.  You made my day, sir!

My wife and I will be doing some hiking in the Sawtooths in July.  I've never been to the Sawtooths, or Idaho for that matter.    Jeff Blaylock's trip report of the area is what inspired me to go there.

This is what I so enjoy about this particular website.  So many stories to share, so many ways to provide information/confidence/motivation to others to explore the outdoors.

Darin

[jeffblaylock]

Randy, congrats on your successful hike, an achievement to be proud of at any age.

Since Darin mentioned it, here is the link to my Sawtooth adventure, a 26-day trip centered around 10 days of backpacking in the Sawtooths. Had it to do over, I would opt for two shorter loop treks and not bother with a resupply, and I would avoid the South Fork Payette River trail (hot, dry, deep brush, and shockingly little views of and access to the namesake river) altogether.

BTW, my Sawtooth trip featured some time with another Wheeler Peak, in Nevada's Great Basin NP -- not the one Randy climbed here.