Williams Lake

Williams Lake is an alpine lake located high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains below Wheeler Peak in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness of Carson National Forest. The lake is accessible via the Williams Lake Trail from the trailhead in Taos Ski Valley. The trail is 4 miles round trip and is considered intermediate-level, passing through a beautiful valley forested with Engelmann and blue spruce, western white fir, and rarely seen red fir and bristlecone pines. The lake does not contain fish because it freezes during the winter. The surrounding area offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, with several trails and scenic views of the Rio Grande Gorge and the surrounding mountains