FKT: Matt Van Cleve - Wheeler Peak (NM) - 2022-08-21

Athletes
Route variation
Williams Lake ascent
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
59m 51s
GPS track(s)
Report

The standard route up to Wheeler Peak from the Williams Lake TH parking lot follows the Williams Lake Trail all the way to the summit.  There is an alternate route that you can go (the route that is used during winter) which is the route that the current FKT holder used.  That route is a little bit more direct (and thus shorter) as it leaves the standard Williams Lake trail and rejoins it about a mile in (from the parking lot).  I started from the Williams Lake parking lot and followed the Williams Lake Trail to the summit.  The Strava segment of the Wheeler ascent actually begins a little bit after the TH sign for the Williams Lake trail (hence the different in the Strava segment time and the time reported here).  

I had been eyeing a sub-hour Wheeler summit since I moved here in 2021 and today I went for it got it.  Took myself to the top in a minimal style--just running shorts, socks, and a pair of La Sportiva Mutants.  Rain and hail came in as I was nearing the Wheeler-Walter Saddle and then some pretty torrential downpours on the descent.  The wet conditions slowed my descent considerably--not that it matter since there isn't a full ascent/descent route for Wheeler from Williams Lake on this site (there should be).  Really happy with my ascent time; it's been a good year in the making.

TH to Williams Lake/Wheeler Peak split: 21:50

Williams Lake to Wheeler Peak summit: 38:01