Watchman Peak Trail - Crater Lake National Park

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.