Wheeler Peak
| New Mexico |
Elevation: 13,161'
Vertical Gain: 3,250'
Vertical Gain: 3,250'
Date: July 3, 2012
Time: 8:41 AM
Time: 8:41 AM
Weather: Cool, clear
Party: Bob, Kevin
Party: Bob, Kevin
With a tough 9.5 mile hike ahead of us, Kevin and I were up at 5:30 in 46 degree weather -
much different than on the plains - and on the trail at 6:32. This would be one of my favorite
high points so far with nice, cool weather, great views, and personal first time wildlife
sightings. On the way up the trail, we past a couple (both teachers) on the summit ridge and
were the first of the day to the summit where we spent about thirty minutes and were
entertained by marmots and striped squirrels. In one panorama view from the summit ridge we
were able to see some Bighorn Sheep grazing below, some Mountain Goats near the adjoining
Mount Walker, and possible elk in the distance. The summit ridge is a saddle to the 13,133'
summit of Mount Walker so we hiked over to it to get a better look at the goats. As we
descended, we went past many hikers still making their way up and we finished up an even
five hours after our start.
The interesting part of the day was not over. On the way to Leadville, Colorado, we had only a
slight detour to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. We picked a huge dune to aim for and
hike up which turned out to be pretty difficult. The distance was deceiving and hiking in the
sand and heat was tough. It was fun running down them and watching Kevin almost do a face
plant. This was an interesting place to visit - like the Sahara meeting the Rockies.
The long day ended with the drive to Halfmoon Campground near Leadville where we ate what
remaining dinner food we had, which was pasta, in the darkness.
much different than on the plains - and on the trail at 6:32. This would be one of my favorite
high points so far with nice, cool weather, great views, and personal first time wildlife
sightings. On the way up the trail, we past a couple (both teachers) on the summit ridge and
were the first of the day to the summit where we spent about thirty minutes and were
entertained by marmots and striped squirrels. In one panorama view from the summit ridge we
were able to see some Bighorn Sheep grazing below, some Mountain Goats near the adjoining
Mount Walker, and possible elk in the distance. The summit ridge is a saddle to the 13,133'
summit of Mount Walker so we hiked over to it to get a better look at the goats. As we
descended, we went past many hikers still making their way up and we finished up an even
five hours after our start.
The interesting part of the day was not over. On the way to Leadville, Colorado, we had only a
slight detour to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. We picked a huge dune to aim for and
hike up which turned out to be pretty difficult. The distance was deceiving and hiking in the
sand and heat was tough. It was fun running down them and watching Kevin almost do a face
plant. This was an interesting place to visit - like the Sahara meeting the Rockies.
The long day ended with the drive to Halfmoon Campground near Leadville where we ate what
remaining dinner food we had, which was pasta, in the darkness.
A short picture stop above treeline.
The views were great.
The views were great.
A cannon interestingly re-purposed
as a summit register box.
as a summit register box.
New Mexico does have skiing!
We started near the base of
Taos resort.
We started near the base of
Taos resort.
A few of our furrier companions.
Mountain goats have a much
bigger coat in the winter.
Mountain goats have a much
bigger coat in the winter.
An oasis! Never mind, just a mirage.
Not New Mexico, not the Sahara, but
Colorado's Gread Sand Dunes
National Park on the same day we
climbed Wheeler.
Not New Mexico, not the Sahara, but
Colorado's Gread Sand Dunes
National Park on the same day we
climbed Wheeler.
Kevin tries to stay cool.
(Unknown to him at the time, he
would be in the real Sahara a few
months later.)
(Unknown to him at the time, he
would be in the real Sahara a few
months later.)
