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You are here: Home / TAOSENO LIFE / WILLIAMS LAKE TRAIL

WILLIAMS LAKE TRAIL

September 21, 2015 By taosnews

I was curious about Williams Lake after seeing several “selfie” photos that were taken there while I was collecting photos for the “Tales from the Trails” Selfie Photograph Contest at The Taos News. I decided to check out Williams Lake for myself.

The trail to Williams Lake begins on the backside of the Taos Ski Valley. Take highway 150 into the Village of Taos Ski Valley and turn left into the upper parking lot. Then veer left onto Twining Road, which is a steep, winding dirt road that takes you past several homes and cabins. Take a left at the beaver pond and turn onto Zap’s Road; then Zap’s Road becomes Porcupine Road. Then make a right onto Kachina Road and drive for about one-third of one mile. The parking lot for the Williams Lake trailhead will be on the right side of the road. The distance between the beginning of Twining Road and the hikers’ parking lot is 1.7 miles.

The hike from the trailhead’s parking lot up to the lake is nearly two miles. The trail passes the Bavarian restaurant and the Kachina Chairlift (lift 4). Much of the trail is rocky. Most of the trail is at an incline with more than 700 feet of elevation gain per mile. There are pretty views along the trail, which meanders through the Wheeler Peak Wilderness. The trail brings you to Williams Lake, which is at an elevation of 11,040 feet. It is a well-traveled trail, as various individuals, couples and families hiked up to the lake and back throughout the day.

Williams Lake is surrounded by mountains. The grassy area just before the lake is a serene place to rest and have a picnic.

Beth Dobos

The Williams Lake Trail
The Williams Lake Trail
A view from the Williams Lake Trail.
A view from the Williams Lake Trail.
The trail to Willams Lake has nice views.
The trail to Willams Lake has nice views.
Williams Lake is in view...
Williams Lake is in view...
From the grassy area near Williams Lake.
From the grassy area near Williams Lake.
Williams Lake
Williams Lake
Williams Lake
Williams Lake
My selfie photo at Williams Lake.
My selfie photo at Williams Lake.
The view on the way back from Williams Lake.
The view on the way back from Williams Lake.
The hike back from Williams Lake.
The hike back from Williams Lake.

Photos by Beth Dobos

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