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Kachina Peak Main

 3.0 (1)
  1. Areas
  2. NM
  3. …Northeastern New Mexico
  4. …Taos
  5. Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area
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Map Key

1.9 Miles 3.1 Kilometers


Ascent

2,268' 691 m

Ascent

0' 0 m

Descent

22%

Avg Slope (13°)

33%

Max Slope (18°)

12,477' 3,803 m

High

10,209' 3,112 m

Low

Shared By J. Bella

Conditions

Unknown
History
Getting forecast...

“The most commonly used route to access Kachina Peak and Wildy Bowl during the spring backcountry season.”

— J. Bella
Driving DirectionsGPX File
Type: In Bounds (completely inside ski area boundary)
This route is open to public access after Taos Ski Valley has closed for the season, usually during mid-April. During the ski season when resort operations are underway, the ski area does not allow uphill access. Like most of the routes in this area, this one crosses several avalanche paths. Standard protocol for traveling within avalanche terrain is recommended.

Description

Begin at the Bavarian Restaurant, or the Williams Lake Trail hikers parking on Kachina Road in Taos Ski Valley. Follow the ski runs alongside Lift #4 to the top of the lift, at the bottom of Kachina Peak's north facing basin. The route continues up Kachina's steep north-facing terrain and makes several switchbacks, across the bottom of the K Chutes and the Main Street ski run before reaching the ridge just above treeline. Follow the ridge south to the summit; be aware that the cornices to the left drop onto large cliffs and should not be approached.

Spring dumps during April and May are common, and most years these are the snowiest months in New Mexico's northern mountains and avalanche danger can be high. This route is not recommended immediately after a storm or during the afternoons when wet slides are probable. When conditions are determined to be safe, this is the most used route to access Wildy Bowl and Kachina Peak's backcountry terrain.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Carson National Forest

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Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#6

in Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area

#232

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  3.0 from 1 vote
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#6

in Wheeler Peak Wildernes…

#11

in New Mexico

#232

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Photos

K9 Couloir
K9 Couloir
 3
The first to climb Kachina Peak enjoy fresh April powder on Main Street, as the second group looks on from the skin track
The first to climb Kachina Peak enjoy fresh Apr…
 3
R2D2 avalanche in K4. Slides in the K Chutes can be much larger and often hit the uphill route
R2D2 avalanche in K4. Slides in the K Chutes c…
 3
Kachina Peak during a Spring sunset
Kachina Peak during a Spring sunset
 3
Kachina Peak from Wheeler's north ridge
Kachina Peak from Wheeler's north ridge
 3
Young bighorn sheep on Kachina Peak's south ridge
Young bighorn sheep on Kachina Peak's south ridge
 3

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Nearby Ski Lines

Large avalanche in Wildy 1 which occurred between January 17th and 20th 2018. This is one of the reasons Taos Ski Valley doesn't have backcountry gates and has a closed boundary policy. This is the first chute south of the ski area on Kachina Peak.
0.4 mi 0.6 km
Wildy 1 - Big Al's Run
 1
Taos Ski Valley, NM
View west from Kachina's east side
0.4 mi 0.6 km
The Middle Finger
 1
Taos Ski Valley, NM
Rj Francis @_yourmyboyblue rippin the Hidden Chute, March 2015
0.4 mi 0.7 km
Hidden Trees
 1
Taos Ski Valley, NM
Lift 1.
2.0 mi 3.3 km
Whitefeather
 1
Taos Ski Valley, NM

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