Williams Lake Trail #62

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail takes you from the upper base of Taos Ski Valley to a popular scenic lake, about half way to the summit of Wheeler Peak. Although a relatively easy run, there is almost 1,000 ft. of elevation gain along the 2 miles

Although it's graded, the road to the trailhead is steep and often snowpacked during winter; 4 wheel drive is recommended

Winter travelers should be aware of the avalanche hazards along the trail, debris may be present during Spring and early Summer. As of 2018 there is no official avalanche forecasting center for this area, the Northern New Mexico Avalanche Exchange is a public forum where useful information can be found and shared: NNMAE.org

The trail is somewhat rocky so make sure that your shoes have proper support.

July 2019 - the new entrance to the trail is now open!

From the hiker parking lot at the trailhead on Kachina Road follow the signs leading to the trail, running past the Bavarian Restaurant, Lift 4 and the Phoenix Lodge. Continue to follow the signage uphill to the new re-routed trail which follows Lake Fork Creek. The new route crosses the bottom of the El Funko ski run and merges with the old trail after crossing into the Wheeler Peak Wilderness just beyond the Peace Chute avalanche path.

The route begins in Engelmann spruce stands, crosses a series of open avalanche path runouts and near the upper end opens up into meadows and scattered rock fields before reaching a saddle above the lake at the junction with the Wheeler Peak Summit Trail #67.

Williams Lake is a natural glacial lake which does not have fish because it freezes during winter. Camping and campfires are not permitted along the lake's shore to prevent damage to soil and water quality, per wilderness area protocol select a campsite at least 300 feet from streams, springs, and lakes. There are some good sites along the forest on the southwest side of the lake, and a primitive trail leading to a waterfall.

During the late 1800's prospectors discovered gold and copper in this area, William Frazer began mining in Twining which produced modest amounts of sulfide ores into the early 1900's. A small mine is found on the east side of the lake, longtime locals say that Frazer worked this mine by hand until the gold was played out. Although there is no documentation of this prospect site, the earliest references to Williams Lake were from this time. There is debate among local historians about whether the lake is named for Frazer, or for Bill Williams who was most likely a fictional character attributed to stories throughout the Rocky Mountains of an early 1800's trapper.