Difference between revisions of "The Watchman Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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* ''Pacific Northwest National Parks & Monuments: The Creaky Knees Guide'' by Seabury Blair, Jr. | * ''Pacific Northwest National Parks & Monuments: The Creaky Knees Guide'' by Seabury Blair, Jr. | ||
* ''50 Hikes in Oregon'' by David L. Anderson | * ''50 Hikes in Oregon'' by David L. Anderson | ||
+ | * ''Hiking Central Oregon & Beyond'' by Virginia Meissner | ||
* ''Day and Section Hikes Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon'' by Paul Gerald | * ''Day and Section Hikes Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon'' by Paul Gerald | ||
* ''Oregon Hiking'' by Sean Patrick Hill | * ''Oregon Hiking'' by Sean Patrick Hill |
Revision as of 00:46, 23 March 2017
- Start point: The Watchman Trailhead
- Ending Point: The Watchman
- Trail Log:
- Hike Type: In and out
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 420 feet
- High Point: 8,013 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Mid-summer into Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
Because it is such a short trail and it begins right off of Rim Drive and the Pacific Crest Trail, this is the most crowded hike to a summit along Crater Lake's rim: it's a good idea to leave this one for early in the morning (Summit Post calls it "probably the most frequently climbed 8000 foot peak in Oregon"). At any time of day, however, the rewards are definitely worth the visitor-intensive experience. Atop The Watchman is a two-story lookout station constructed in 1932. Views from the stone-walled viewing platform at the lookout extend 360 degrees, and it is the best vantage point for an examination of Wizard Island, 1,800 feet directly below across Skell Channel. This is also an excellent wildflower hike.
Longer approaches to The Watchman can also be made using access points to the Pacific Crest Trail, including the Rim Village Trailhead, to soak in multitudinous perspectives of the caldera lake below. The hike from the Rim Village Trailhead is particularly recommended in winter (using snowshoes) as the nearby Rim Drive will be closed to vehicle traffic.
You can walk to the railed viewpoint at the parking area to get a view to Wizard Island and across Crater Lake. Then, head south to take a paved sidewalk along Rim Drive, actually part of the Pacific Crest Trail. After about 100 yards, this turns into a wide trail, in fact the former road bed of the old Rim Drive! You'll traverse gently up along a scree slope on The Watchman's north side and reach a signposted junction. Make a left and head up over a ridge in a parkland of scattered mountain hemlocks and whitebark pines. Lupine, phlox, sulfur buckwheat, arnica, and pasqueflower bloom here. Then ascend the southwest slope in a series of seven switchbacks to the lookout structure atop The Watchman. During the height of the summer tourist season, rangers will be here to answer questions; the lookout also serves as an active fire station at times and has been preserved as a historic example of the 1930s lookout construction period.
The views are, as to be expected, expansive, with Crater Lake spreading below and Wizard Island the most prominent feature close at hand. Views north along the rim include Hillman Peak, the Devil's Backbone, and Cleetwood Cove. Directly to the east is Mount Scott, and along the southern rim stretch the steep high cliffs of Castle Rock, Dutton Cliffs, and the Eagle Crags, including Garfield Peak. Farther afield, look north to see Mount Thielsen and Mount Bailey, while to the south Union Peak, Mount McLoughlin and the very top of Mount Shasta can be viewed on a clear day.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- $15 entrance fee to Crater Lake National Park - good for 7 days
- No pets
Maps
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for The Watchman Hike
- Crater Lake Snow camp + Toketee Falls, Umpqua HS
- Crater Lake: The Watchman 12/14/13
- 8/29/12 Alternate PCT along Crater Lake Rim & The Watchman
- Crater Lake NP: Plaikni Falls and the Watchman (8-17-2011)
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for The Watchman Hike
Guidebooks that cover this destination
- Hiking Oregon's Geology by Ellen Morris Bishop
- Oregon’s Best Wildflower Hikes: Southwest Region by Elizabeth L. Horn
- Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon by Bonnie Henderson
- Trails of Crater Lake National Park & Oregon Caves National Monument by William L. Sullivan
- 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon by William L. Sullivan
- Trips & Trails: Oregon by William L. Sullivan
- Hiking Oregon's History by William L. Sullivan
- Pacific Northwest National Parks & Monuments: The Creaky Knees Guide by Seabury Blair, Jr.
- 50 Hikes in Oregon by David L. Anderson
- Hiking Central Oregon & Beyond by Virginia Meissner
- Day and Section Hikes Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon by Paul Gerald
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
- Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
More Links
- Watchman Peak Trail - Crater Lake National Park (Crater Lake Institute)
- Watchman Trail, Crater Lake National Park (The American Southwest)
- The Watchman (Oregon Adventures)
- Watchman Lookout Station (Wikipedia)
- The Watchman (Summit Post)
- Crater Lake National Park (National Park Service)
- Crater Lake National Park (The Oregon Encyclopedia)
- Crater Lake (Wikipedia)
- Crater Lake (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Facts about Crater Lake (Oregon Explorer)
- Geology and History Summary for Mount Mazama and Crater Lake (USGS Volcano Hazards Program)
- Mt. Mazama (The Oregon Encyclopedia)
- Formation of Crater Lake (Oregon Explorer)
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)