Wheeler Trail to Mohawk Lakes - 8.3 Miles Round-Trip

Mohawk Lake is located 4.15 miles from McCullough Gulch via the Wheeler National Recreation Trail, which stretches over 10 miles S-N across the Ten Mile Range.

Though most hikers access Mohawk Lake from Spruce Creek Trailhead, this longer alternative enjoys light crowds and additional wildlife viewing opportunities on the steep up-down traverse between the McCullough Gulch and Spruce Creek drainages.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The Wheeler Trail joins the Spruce Creek Trail after 2.3 miles, which turns west past Continental Falls, historic mining cabins and Lower Mohawk Lake to Mohawk Lake.

An unimproved route continues above Mohawk Lake through expansive alpine meadows to five more spectacular lakes in the upper valley:

The Wheeler Trail begins on the north side of McCullough Gulch with a terrific look at Quandary Peak (14,265’), the tallest peak in the Ten Mile Range.

It climbs steeply through a patchy subalpine forest along an east-facing slope to a crest (.55 miles : 11,503’), where grades moderate with good views of the Boreas Pass area.

The trail drops gradually then steeply into a thick spruce-fir forest leading to the Spruce Creek Trail split on the edge of a large marshy meadow (2.3 miles : 10,965’).

The Spruce Creek Trail turns west beside the meadow up to Spruce Creek Road, (2.8 miles : 11,120’), which you’ll follow to its terminus at a water utility station. Cross the dam and follow signs (right) off the road to resume the trail (2.9 miles).

Travel steepens to the Mayflower Lakes split (3.15 miles : 11,285’) and crosses a creek, past which the trail braids in several places. These social trails typically lead to views of Continental Falls, mining remains or established campsites - and in most cases link back to the main trail artery. Do your best to stay on track, and avoid trampling sensitive vegetation.

The trail twists steeply by a mining cabin to a marked split for Lower Continental Falls Vista (3.35 miles : 11,385'). It follows a useful mining cable past the falls split up open rock, moderating to the edge of Lower Mohawk Lake (3.75 miles : 11,810’).

Lower Mohawk Lake lies at treeline below Mount Helen (13,164’), a fine stopping point if limited by time or weather. Continental Falls pour from its outlet, and there’s plenty of shoreline to explore.

The trail continues along the shore before breaking away on a twisting (and braided) climb through treeline to Mohawk Lake (4.15 miles : 12,073’).

Mohawk Lake fills a large circular bowl with scalable walls and a tight but navigable shoreline. Large cutthroat trout are abundant, and you’ll likely find anglers ringing the lake.

A well-traveled route continues up Mohawk’s north side into the dramatically wide upper valley, capped by Pacific Peak (13,950’), Crystal Peak (13,852') and Father Dyer Peak (13,615’).

It skirts a small lake (4.35 miles : 12,219’) and continues across relatively flat open tundra to three more - 4.7 miles (12,334’), 5.05 miles (12,372’) and 5.35 miles (12,438’). A fifth – Pacific Tarn – requires a steep, rocky climb with no discernable route past the fourth lake.