The final hike on our August 2013 visit to Crater Lake National Park was the Watchman Peak Trail. This trail climbs 420 feet in 0.8 miles for an average grade of about 10%. The park service rates the trail as moderate to strenuous. At a starting elevation of around 7,600 feet, this is not a hike for everyone. The longer and slightly steeper Cleetwood Cove trail described here is rated as strenuous. A large, paved, but often crowded parking area is available on West Rim Drive 3.7 miles west of its junction with Munson Valley Road at Rim Village. While the lake views from the parking lot are fantastic, they don't compare to the views from The Watchman. A storm system passed through the area the day before we hiked this trail. It provided some of the clearest views of the summer according to the ranger stationed at the fire tower atop the peak. The trail is very popular among visitors as it is the shortest route to one of the major peaks surrounding Crater Lake. A wide, hard packed, fine gravel surface provides the opportunity to view the scenery instead of having to specifically look for each footfall. While this is not a trail for solitude, with less than 500,000 visitors per year, a bit of patience will provide plenty of opportunities to view and photograph the scenery without other visitors encroaching on your space.
The Watchman (8013') |
The fire lookout tower is our destination |
Crater Lake and part of Wizard Island from the parking area |
The initial part of the trail was once part of the Rim Drive |
View west across the Rogue River valley |
The Watchman Peak Trail splits to the left off the old road |
At this point, the trail steepens considerably |
Much of the trail is across open hillsides with patches of forest along the way |
Dutton Cliff (8106') from one of the switchbacks |
The erosion at this switchback is mainly due to hikers taking shortcuts |
This switchback has been fortified to reduce shortcuts |
Union Peak (7709') is 8.2 miles distant with Mount McLoughlin (9495') 35 miles in the background |
A stone bench awaits the weary at this switchback |
Behind Rim Village stands Crater Peak (7263') |
The trail appears to go straight up at times |
Looking across Williams Crater (7747') to Mount Bailey (8368') nearly 15 miles away |
Another fortified switchback |
And another fortified switchback |
Another stone bench along the trail |
The trail is so steep here that fortifying against shortcuts is not required |
The slight rutting of the trail here is due to the extreme amount of precipitation, not to hikers taking shortcuts |
Llao Rock (8049') and the trail head parking area from the final switchback |
The final switchback is only a few steps beyond the previous one |
The fire tower |
Use caution when climbing the steps to the viewing level as there are no handrails |
Wizard Island (6938') with Mount Scott (8829', 7.9 miles) in the background |
Llao Rock, Steel Bay and Cleetwood Cove |
Hillman Peak (8151') with Mount Thielsen (9182', 15.4 miles) on the horizon |
Mount Shasta (14,162') is 106 miles south |
A $10 vehicle pass is valid for seven consecutive days at Crater Lake National Park. Another option is to purchase the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass valid for one year for $80. A lifetime Senior Pass is available for $10 for those 62 years of age or older.
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