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Williams Lake
Hiking Trail
Hard
3.87 mi
1,031 ft
The most popular trail in Taos Ski Valley—but for good reason!
"The Williams Lake Trail is arguably the most popular trail in the Taos Ski Valley," writes []( trail runs for 1.9 miles from the well-developed parking area up to a gorgeous alpine lake located right at the base of Wheeler Peak, the tallest peak in all of New Mexico. Many prospective peak climbers use the Williams Lake trail as merely the beginning of their attempt to summit Wheeler, but this 3.8-mile round-trip hike can also make for a delightful, easy hike with a rewarding conclusion at the beautiful lake.
Even though it's just two miles one-way, you'll still have to climb over a thousand vertical feet to reach the lake, meaning you'll need at least moderate fitness to complete this hike.
The trail to the lake "begins in Engelmann spruce stands and near the upper end opens up into meadowland and scattered rock fields," [according to the USFS]( lake is located in the Wilderness, and some people choose to camp near the lake, but the USFS notes that camping directly on the shores of the lake is not allowed. The USFS asks that you select a campsite at least 300 feet from the lake, rivers, streams, and springs, and that you follow leave no trace practices. Written by Greg Heil
"The Williams Lake Trail is arguably the most popular trail in the Taos Ski Valley," writes []( trail runs for 1.9 miles from the well-developed parking area up to a gorgeous alpine lake located right at the base of Wheeler Peak, the tallest peak in all of New Mexico. Many prospective peak climbers use the Williams Lake trail as merely the beginning of their attempt to summit Wheeler, but this 3.8-mile round-trip hike can also make for a delightful, easy hike with a rewarding conclusion at the beautiful lake.
Even though it's just two miles one-way, you'll still have to climb over a thousand vertical feet to reach the lake, meaning you'll need at least moderate fitness to complete this hike.
The trail to the lake "begins in Engelmann spruce stands and near the upper end opens up into meadowland and scattered rock fields," [according to the USFS]( lake is located in the Wilderness, and some people choose to camp near the lake, but the USFS notes that camping directly on the shores of the lake is not allowed. The USFS asks that you select a campsite at least 300 feet from the lake, rivers, streams, and springs, and that you follow leave no trace practices. Written by Greg Heil
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twining Blue Lake Pack Trail Climb | 2.25 mi | 935 ft | 7.9% |