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Kachina Peak Main

 1 vote
  1. Areas
  2. NM
  3. …Northeastern New Mexico
  4. …Taos
  5. Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area
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Length

1.9 Miles 3.1 Kilometers


Ascent

Elevation

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

Conditions

Bad / Closed 71 days ago
Very little snow, not rideable History
Getting forecast...

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

— J. Bella
GPX File — Driving Directions

Description

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.
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

Apr 10, 2018: Closure Lifted near Loop Road Prescribed Fire

Apr 8, 2018: Carson National Forest to Provide Fire Season Outlook Presentation

Apr 5, 2018: Loop Road Prescribed Fire Concluding Today

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Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#6

in Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area

#261

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Rankings

#6

in Wheeler Peak Wildernes…

#11

in New Mexico

#261

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38 Since Jan 10, 2018
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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

Storm snow slides, March 18, 2015
0.1 mi 0.2 km
Wildy 2.5
 1
Taos Ski Valley, NM
Taos Ski Valley from near treeline in the North Peace trib
0.3 mi 0.5 km
North Peace
 1
Taos Ski Valley, NM
The Ring Finger has several starting zones, this is the most prominent and widest, below the cliffs that line the chute near treeline
0.4 mi 0.6 km
The Middle Finger
 1
Taos Ski Valley, NM
Avalanche debris deposited on the Wildy Bowl Crossover ~ April 28th, 2016
0.2 mi 0.4 km
Wildy Bowl Crossover
 1
Taos Ski Valley, NM

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