Arizona · Hiking

Ws Lake

18.2 mi
round trip
874 ft
climb
8,556 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Ws Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. It doesn't name Ws Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Ws Lake is a hard, 18-mile out-and-back hike on natural trail surface in the Alpine Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in eastern Arizona. The route rises 874 feet from its low point of about 7,081 feet to a high of about 8,556 feet, and it is managed by the Forest Service. Horses are allowed, but bikes and accessible access are not. For timing, the most comfortable stretch is late spring and early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Alpine, AZ, put May highs around 69°F and September highs around 72°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 13 to 15 a month. The station sits a few hundred feet below the hike's high point, so temperatures on the top run a bit cooler. The hike sits in a cluster of trails. Bonanza Bill is less than a mile away, Franz Spring is about 1.7 miles off, and Yam Canyon Trail is roughly 3 miles out. For an overnight base, Blue Crossing Campground is about 7 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Ws Lake

    Best months: June and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      46° / 15°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      48° / 18°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      54° / 23°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      61° / 26°

      3 wet

    5. May

      69° / 31°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 39°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 47°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      76° / 46°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 39°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 30°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 22°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 16°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Alpine, AZ, 22.7 mi away at 8,050 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Route details

Distance
18.2 mi round trip
Climbing
About 874 ft
Summit
8,569 ft
Difficulty
Hard
Time
About 6.5 hours

Season

Season: Year-round.

Questions about this route

How long is the Ws Lake on Bear Mountain?

About 18.2 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Ws Lake?

About 874 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Ws Lake?

It is rated hard.

How long does the Ws Lake take?

About 6.5 hours round trip.

When is the best time for the Ws Lake?

Year-round.

Conditions and forecast on Bear Mountain

Caution todayAgency alerts are in effect for this areaUSFS · checked 6 h ago

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.