Fort Bridger State Historic Site (Blog Hike #876)

Trail: (unnamed) 
Hike Location: Fort Bridger State Historic Site
Geographic Location: west side of Fort Bridger, WY (41.31828, -110.38935)
Length: 0.75 miles
Difficulty: 0/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: A short, flat semiloop through the remnants of an 1800's fort.
Site Information: https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/places-to-go/fort-bridger
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=881527
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: In southwest Wyoming, take I-80 to Business Loop 80 (exit 34).  Exit and go east on Business Loop 80.  The entrance to Fort Bridger State Historic Site is 2 miles ahead on the right.  Park in the large parking lot just inside the entrance.

The hike: It was the fall of 1824 when James Felix Bridger first explored the Great Salt Lake region and the area we know today as Yellowstone National Park.  For the next 20 years Bridger would explore, trap, hunt, and blaze trails all over the American west, and he became known as an expert guide for American settlers who were moving west.  In 1843, Bridger established a trading post with light fortifications and a blacksmith shop along the Black Fork of the Green River on one of the main east-west routes through the region.  That trading post became known as Fort Bridger, and over the past 150 years every major route through the region including the Mormon Pioneer Trail, the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, the Pony Express, the Union Pacific Railroad, the Lincoln Highway, and even I-80 have passed through or near this post.

            In 1858, Fort Bridger became an official United States Army outpost to supply troops for the Utah War, and for the next three decades it continued to support federal operations in the region.  The fort was abandoned in 1890 when Wyoming became a state, and in 1928 the site was sold to the Historical Landmark Commission of Wyoming.  The site opened as a Wyoming Historical Landmark and Museum in 1933.

            Today the site's 27 historic structures, 4 historic replica structures, and 6 modern structures are preserved as Fort Bridger State Historic Site.  A statue of Jim Bridger greets visitors as they drive in the entrance, and volunteers provide costumed interpretation during the summer months.  The short hike described here takes you to every point of interest at the 37-acre site, and it provides a nice leg-stretch excursion with an historical flavor while driving I-80 across Wyoming.

Carter's Warehouse and Pony Express Barn

            After paying your entrance fee in the Post Trader's Store, walk north into a square of historic buildings with white sides that features Carter's Warehouse and the Pony Express Barn.  Interpretive signs tell about these buildings.  The Pony Express Monument and the Grave of Thornburgh the Dog are also in this area.  After touring these buildings, walk back out to the main road and turn right to head west toward the old fort area.

Main road into the fort

            You pass several sites of former structures before reaching the 1887 Guard House and Sentry Box.  Fort Bridger saw several iterations and renovations, and the structures in this part of the site date to the most recent and final iteration.  Continue following the main road to its end at the Fort Bridger Museum and 1880's Barracks, the largest building on this site.  You can tour the museum if it is open, which it was not on my visit.

1880's Barracks

            We will eventually continue on the main loop to the left (south) of the museum, but first take a detour on a narrower trail that heads right.  The trail passes some older infantry barracks before curving left to cross a drainage and reach a replica of the original Fort Bridger.  The wooden replica sits in a small grassy area surrounded by cottonwood and aspen trees.  The side trail ends at this small wooden structure, so next you have to turn around and walk back to the main loop.

Reconstructed Jim Bridger's Fort

            The main loop heads down the south side of the former military parade grounds before crossing Groshon Creek on a footbridge and reaching two 1880's era houses.  The first house you see was the Commanding Officer's house, while the second is a ranch house built to house fort visitors.  The final leg of the hike heads north along a boardwalk with the site's sundial and reconstructed bandstand on the left.

Commanding Officer's House

Lincoln Highway cabins

            After passing the 1858 Officer's Quarters, you close the loop.  Turn right to head back to the parking area.  Before you leave, there is one more interesting place at this site you should visit.  Just east of the parking lot (in the opposite direction from the fort) stands some cabins that provided lodging for travelers along the Lincoln Highway.  These cabins were built in 1929, and the ongoing restoration project gives you an idea of what travel through this region was like nearly 100 years ago.

Fort Churchill State Historic Park (Blog Hike #875)

Trails: Ruins, Nature, and Railroad Trails
Hike Location: Fort Churchill State Historic Park
Geographic Location: south of Fernley, NV (39.29575, -119.26696)
Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: A double loop through the ruins of historic Fort Churchill and through natural desert terrain.
Park Information: http://parks.nv.gov/parks/fort-churchill
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=891496
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From Fernley, take US 95A south 22 miles, passing through the town of Silver Springs, to the entrance for Fort Churchill State Historic Park on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, pay the park entrance fee, and park in the medium-sized blacktop parking lot in front of the park office and museum.

The hike: Built in 1860 and 1861 at the request of United States Army Captain Joseph Stewart, Fort Churchill provided protection for early settlers and for mail traffic along the Pony Express.  The fort occupied a strategic location along the Carson River, and it provided important supplies for Union soldiers during the Civil War.  The fort was named for Sylvester Churchill, Inspector General of the United States Army.

            Only about 200 soldiers were stationed at Fort Churchill at any one time, and the fort was abandoned in 1869.  In 1932, the State of Nevada took control of the site.  Shortly thereafter, the fort ruins were partially restored, and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the Visitor Center that is still in use today.  The site was added to Nevada's state park system in 1957, and in 1994 an additional 3200 acres along the Carson River were acquired, thus forming the park we visit today.

            The fort ruins and museum still form the park's centerpiece, but the park also offers a small 20-site campground and several miles of trails.  The hike described here takes you through the fort ruins, but it also takes you around a short loop through the natural desert terrain.  Thus, this hike samples all Fort Churchill State Historic Park has to offer.

Trailhead at museum

            From the right (west) side of the museum and Visitor Center, step off the concrete patio and head gradually downhill through the desert on a dusty dirt trail.  You can see the ruins up ahead the entire time.  After crossing a gravel park road, you reach the Ruins Trail.  Turn right to begin a square-shaped tour around the ruins.

Partially restored barracks

            The various adobe buildings have been restored to various degrees.  For the officers quarters, only the foundations remain.  The barracks and the mess hall have some walls but no roofs.  Interpretive signs describe the buildings and tell you about the soldiers that lived and worked here.

            At 0.4 miles, after walking around 2 of the 4 sides of the Ruins Trail, you reach a signed trail intersection where the Nature Trail exits right.  We will return to this point on the Ruins Trail later, but to also see the park's natural desert areas, angle right and then left to begin the Nature Trail.  The Nature Trail heads gradually downhill through thinly vegetated desert area with the dense greenery of the Carson River directly ahead and the bare desert mountains in the background.

Start of Nature Trail

            After crossing a park road and an active railroad, you reach a trail intersection marked by a wooden post.  We will eventually turn right here to begin the Railroad Trail, but first continue straight a short distance to reach an old wooden footbridge over a small stream.  Notice the dense greenery around the stream in contrast to the barren desert you have been walking through, a testament to the life water brings to the desert.

Old wooden bridge

            The trail soon ends at a park road, and while another trail heads left along the Carson River, it does not form a loop.  Thus, I turned around, walked back across the old wooden bridge, and angled left to begin the Railroad Trail.  True to its name, the narrow Railroad Trail soon climbs up and over the active railroad track.  Climbing up and down the rocky elevated railroad bed creates the only significant elevation change or difficulty on this hike.

Crossing the railroad bed

            At 0.9 miles, you reach a secondary gravel/dirt parking area.  Walk through the parking area, then turn right to begin the last leg of trail back to the ruins.  A gradual climb returns you to the ruins.  Take a soft left and then right to continue around the Ruins Trail.

Commander's office

            The Ruins Trail passes more partially restored adobe buildings including the powder magazine, the laundresses' quarters, and the commander's office before closing the square.  Turn right and retrace your steps back up to the Visitor Center to complete the hike.  While you are here, a few other places may merit your attention.  History buffs will enjoy viewing the Pony Express plaque on the side of the Visitor Center that was placed here by the National Pony Express Centennial Association in 1960-61.  Also, a pioneer cemetery is located across the entrance road from the Visitor Center.  Finally, a large number of rabbits near the parking area provided post-hike entertainment for me as they hopped around the grassy area in front of the Visitor Center looking for a snack.

Lava Beds National Monument: Black Crater and Thomas-Wright Battlefield Trails (Blog Hike #874)

Trails: Black Crater and Thomas-Wright Battlefield Trails

Hike Location: Lava Beds National Monument
Geographic Location: southwest of Tule Lake, CA (41.76504, -121.55673)
Length: 2.6 miles
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: Two short trails exploring the natural and human history of the Lava Beds.
Park Information: https://www.nps.gov/labe/index.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=881254
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: There are several roads into Lava Beds National Monument, but the most direct route from SR 139 and Tule Lake is to take East Street west 5 miles to Hill Road and turn left on Hill Rd.  Drive Hill Rd. south 9.4 miles to its end at the main park road and turn right on the main park road.  The roadside parking area for Black Crater is located 4.8 miles ahead on the left.

The hike: Although the land today preserved as Lava Beds National Monument appears barren, rugged, and uninviting, visitors willing to make the journey into what seems like the middle of nowhere will find both natural and historic treasures.  The monument gets its name from lava flows that originated at the Medicine Lake Shield Volcano (centered around present-day Medicine Lake to the south) several millenia ago.  More than 800 caves have formed in these lava flows, and some of these caves are open to exploration by the general public.  Check at the Visitor Center for brochures and information before exploring the caves.

            The Lava Beds also have interesting human history.  During the Modoc War of 1872-1873, the Modoc people used the area's rough terrain to their advantage while besieged by the United States Army.  Although the Modoc were outnumbered 10 to 1, their knowledge of the terrain allowed them to hold out for several months before being captured and exiled to Oklahoma.

            Today the monument protects over 46,000 acres, and it preserves the land's rustic character by offering only a Visitor Center and a 43-site developed campground for amenities.  For dayhikers, the park offers many trails to choose from.  Because I came here while driving home from Crater Lake, I only had time for one not-too-hard hike.  I wanted a hike that would allow me to see both the area's natural and human history, and the hike described here fits that bill.  Although it was hot and sunny, I enjoyed this hike, and I left here wishing I had more time to spend in the Lava Beds.

Trailhead: Black Crater and Thomas-Wright Battlefield

            The trail starts at the north end of the parking area, where an interpretive sign and a brown carsonite post mark the trail's start.  The interpretive sign details events of the Modoc War and describes the Modoc people.  The trail heads east across the hot, sunny, desert-like terrain that characterizes this entire hike.  Thus, you need to wear a hat and/or sunscreen for this hike.

Trail splits

            In only a few hundred feet, the trail splits with the Black Crater Trail going right and the Thomas-Wright Battlefield Trail going left.  We will go both ways eventually, but I chose to angle right and visit Black Crater first.  Soon you pass an interpretive sign that points out a tree mold, which is a hole in the lava flow formed when the lava hit a tree.  Although the lava burned up the tree, moisture from the tree cooled the lava just enough to leave a cast of the tree behind.

Tree mold

            A fairly steep and rocky climb brings you to Black Crater at 0.25 miles.  Black Crater is a small spatter cone that erupted only about 3300 years ago.  Lava from here flowed mainly to the north and northeast, and the rough lumpy rocks that remain today look similar to the crater fragments found at the more famous Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Idaho.  Take some time to admire the unusual, stark, and black crater scenery.

Black Crater

            After exploring Black Crater, retrace your steps back to the trail intersection and turn right to begin the Thomas-Wright Battlefield Trail.  The single-track dirt trail descends gradually as it curves around the lava flow that originated at Black Crater.  A bench near the northern end of the lava flow provides rest for the weary, and some red paintbrush in full bloom brightened my path.

Hiking around the lava flow

Red paintbrush

            1.4 miles into the hike, a gradual climb brings you to the overlook at this trail's end.  This point overlooks a Modoc War battlefield to the east, and this battlefield was the last significant victory for the Modoc.  Weathered interpretive signs tell you about the battle, and nice views of Thomas Hill and Hardin Butte can be had to the south.

Battlefield overlook

Hardin Butte

            The trail ends at this overlook, so next you must retrace your steps back to the parking area to complete the hike.  When you are hiking this direction, you may notice a snow-capped mountain standing alone some 30 miles in the distance that you did not notice when you were hiking the other direction.  Yes, that mountain is Mount Shasta, which stands over seemingly everything in this part of the world.

Crater Lake National Park: Plaikni Falls (Blog Hike #873)

Trail: Plaikni Falls Trail
Hike Location: Crater Lake National Park
Geographic Location: southeast of Crater Lake, OR (42.90476, -122.07049)
Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: A mostly gradual out-and-back to cascading Plaikni Falls.
Park Information: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=881165
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From Crater Lake National Park's south entrance, drive the entrance road north 4 miles to East Rim Drive and turn right on East Rim Dr.  Take East Rim Dr. 8.2 miles to Pinnacles Road and turn sharply right on Pinnacles Rd.  The roadside parking area for the Plaikni Falls Trail is located 1.1 miles ahead on the left.  Park here.

The hike: For my general comments on Crater Lake National Park, see my hike on the park's Discovery Point Trail.  For my final hike in Crater Lake National Park, I chose to hike the short and fairly easy trail to Plaikni Falls.  Plaikni Falls is not as impressive as other famous Oregon waterfalls such as Multnomah Falls or Salt Creek Falls, and there are no Crater Lake views on this hike.  Nevertheless, Plaikni Falls makes a nice side trip after you have seen Crater Lake, and I enjoyed my hike here on a warm Wednesday afternoon.

Trailhead: Plaikni Falls Trail

            From the signed roadside trailhead, the single-track dirt trail heads north as it descends gradually into classic Oregon pine forest.  Some sources claim that this trail is ADA-accessible, but the trail surface seems too soft and some of the grades at the end seem too steep for this designation.  A couple of wooden benches provide rest for the weary even though the grades at the start of the trail are very gradual.

A bench beside the trail

            After crossing a small creek and climbing gradually, the trail curves sharply right at 0.5 miles.  A large pine tree stands in the middle of the trail at this curve.  Now the trail heads east with some sunny boulder fields and rock outcrops above you to the left.

Rock outcrop above the trail

            At 0.8 miles, Sand Creek comes into view downhill to the right as the trail curves left and begins climbing more steeply.  The last segment of trail is sunny and somewhat narrow, but water from Sand Creek allows large quantities of wildflowers to grow here.  An interpretive guide for this park's Castle Crest Trail (described elsewhere in this trail journal) will help you identify these wildflowers.

Plaikni Falls

            1 mile into the hike, you reach the observation platform for Plaikni Falls, which cascades above you.  Interestingly, although Crater Lake lies above this waterfall to the north, Sand Creek is snowmelt fed rather than lake fed.  Thus, you want to come here early in the summer to see the waterfall at its seasonal peak.  The waterfall had plenty of water volume when I came here in mid-July, and the rock outcrops on either side make for a stark setting.  The trail ends at the waterfall, so your only option is to retrace your steps 1 mile back to the parking lot to complete your hike.

Crater Lake National Park: Cleetwood Cove Trail (Blog Hike #872)

Trail: Cleetwood Cove Trail
Hike Location: Crater Lake National Park
Geographic Location: north rim of Crater Lake, OR (42.97975, -122.08324)
Length: 2.2 miles
Difficulty: 9/10 (Difficult)
Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: A persistently steep out-and-back to the shore of Crater Lake.
Park Information: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=881164
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From Crater Lake National Park's north entrance, drive the entrance road south 8.4 miles to the intersection of the park's East Rim Drive and West Rim Drive.  Turn left to begin East Rim Dr.  Take East Rim Dr. 4.5 miles to the large parking lot for the Cleetwood Cove Trail on the left.  The trail starts at the signed trailhead to the south across the road.

The hike: For my general comments on Crater Lake National Park, see my hike on the park's Discovery Point Trail.  The Cleetwood Cove Trail described here is the only trail that leads down to the shore of Crater Lake.  Though the trail is persistently steep, the well-engineered grade makes it doable for most people in decent physical condition.  Thus, the trail is quite popular, and in spite of the large parking lot, you want to get here early in the morning to make sure you can find a parking space.

Cleetwood Cove Trailhead

            Start by walking across East Rim Drive to find the signed trailhead for the Cleetwood Cove Trail.  When I hiked this trail, a park ranger stationed here informed visitors about the difficulty of this trail and inspected for items such as inflatable rafts and floatation aids that are illegal to use in Crater Lake.  The wide dirt trail uses 4 switchbacks to begin its seemingly endless descent.  Crater Lake can be seen through the trees for the entire descent, so in fact you can use your closeness to the lake to see how much further down you have to go.

Mount Scott across Crater Lake

            After the initial switchbacks comes a long straight stretch with the lake to your left and the steep crater wall on your right.  A few benches are better put to use on the climb back up than on the way down.  At 0.6 miles, the long straight stretch ends when the trail switches back to the left.  If you look downhill to the right here, you can see the boat dock on Crater Lake that is this trail's final destination.

Descending toward Crater Lake

            3 more switchbacks take you down through a particularly unstable section of the crater's wall.  Signs warn of falling rocks, and even the scurrying of small chipmunks sent pebbles and clods of dirt tumbling down the hill.  Although I worried about a landslide occurring above me, I made it through this area without incident.

Wizard Island in Crater Lake

Park boat dock on Crater Lake

Mount Scott over Crater Lake

            The final descent is the steepest, and at 1.1 miles you reach the park's boat dock.  Continuing a short distance leads to a cliff from which diving into the lake is permitted.  Crater Lake's water is cold even in the summer, so most people only swim or dive here for a short period of time.  Also, sometimes park boats take visitors over to Wizard Island, but there were no boat tours on the day I came here.  Thus, after enjoying the lake-level views for a few minutes, I huffed-and-puffed my way back up the Cleetwood Cove Trail to return to the parking lot and complete the hike.

Crater Lake National Park: Lady of the Woods and Castle Crest Trails (Blog Hike #871)

Trails: Lady of the Woods and Castle Crest Trails
Hike Location: Crater Lake National Park
Geographic Location: south of Crater Lake, OR (42.89581, -122.13394)
Length: 2.1 miles
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: A pair of short interpretive trails exploring the park's man-made and natural attractions.
Park Information: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=881023
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: These two trails start at Crater Lake National Park's Steele Visitor Center, which is located on the west side of the main park road 4 miles north of the park's south entrance.  Park in the medium-sized parking lot in front of the Visitor Center.

The hike: For my general comments on Crater Lake National Park, see my hike on the park's Discovery Point Trail.  The two short trails described here do not receive a lot of traffic because they yield no Crater Lake views.  Nevertheless, these trails explore some other interesting areas that visitors who just come to see the lake never get to see.  The two trails can be hiked independently, but because they both start at the Steele Visitor Center, it makes sense to combine them into one low-key behind-the-lake hike, which is the one described here.

Trailhead: Lady of the Woods Trail

            Starting with the Lady of the Woods Trail, the trail heads west from a signed trailhead at the south side of the Visitor Center.  This trail showcases Crater Lake's history as a national park, and an interpretive guide available for purchase at the trailhead will make that history come alive.  Numbered wooden posts correspond to stops in the interpretive guide, and the first stop tells you that the Steele Visitor Center began its life as the Rangers Dormitory in 1932.

Lady of the Woods

            Just shy of 0.2 miles, you reach the Lady of the Woods, an unfinished sculpture carved into a boulder.  A medical doctor named Earl Russell Bush carved this sculpture over 2 weeks in 1917, and it has been a visitor attraction ever since.  Past the sculpture, the single-track dirt trail climbs the hillside beside an arm of Munson Creek while weaving around a large number of boulders.  Numerous park dormitories and operations buildings are located in this area.  These buildings were built between 1930 and 1941, and the interpretive guide describes how they were designed to blend in with the woods.

Historic national park dormitory

            At 0.4 miles, you reach the highest point on the Lady of the Woods Trail, which is only about 110 vertical feet above the Visitor Center.  Next you cross a park maintenance road and enter an open area that offers a nice view of Crater Lake's rim above you to the north.  After a short but steep descent, you arrive alongside Munson Creek.  The trail descends gradually along Munson Creek to return to the Visitor Center at 0.7 miles and complete the Lady of the Woods Trail.

Start of Castle Crest Trail

            To find the signed start of the Castle Crest Trail, walk through the parking lot and use the crosswalk to cross the park road.  The Castle Crest Trail descends gradually through some nice pine forest.  1.2 miles into the hike, you reach the roadside parking lot and trailhead for the Castle Crest Wildflower Trail.  Turn left to begin the second short nature trail.  Another interpretive guide is available for purchase here; it will help you identify some of the wildflowers that grow along this trail.

Approaching the meadow

            After a short descent, the trail splits to form its loop.  Turn right to hike the loop counterclockwise.  Soon the wildflower show begins as the trail narrows and enters a sunny meadow that is covered with a dense carpet of greenery dotted with flowers.  On my visit in mid-July, I saw monkeyflower, scarlet gilia, lupine, and other wildflowers in full bloom.  The secret to this meadow is the creek that flows through it and waters the wildflowers.  Although the trail is narrow in spots, stepping stones keep your feet dry in all but the wettest of times.  Take your time as you walk around the meadow to see how many wildflowers you can identify.

Stepping stones through a wet area

Wildflowers along the creek

            After looping through the meadow, the trail enters the edge of the woods just before you close the loop.  A short walk brings you back to the parking lot for the Castle Crest Wildflower Trail.  To get back to your car at the Steele Visitor Center, turn right and retrace your steps uphill 0.5 miles.

Crater Lake National Park: Watchman Lookout Trail (Blog Hike #870)

Trail: Watchman Lookout Trail
Hike Location: Crater Lake National Park
Geographic Location: west rim of Crater Lake, OR (42.94592, -122.16938)
Length: 1.9 miles
Difficulty: 7/10 (Moderate/Difficult)
Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: An out-and-back to an old fire watchtower on the rim of Crater Lake.
Park Information: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=881022
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: The Watchman Overlook is located on the park's West Rim Drive 10.7 miles south of the park's north entrance or 10.4 miles north of the park's south entrance.  The Watchman Trail starts from the Watchman Overlook parking lot.

The hike: For my general comments on Crater Lake National Park, see the previous hike.  This hike leads up to the Watchman, which is an abandoned fire tower on Crater Lake's rim.  Although the Watchman does not occupy the highest point on Crater Lake's rim, it does occupy the point closest to Wizard Island, a cinder cone in the west side of Crater Lake.  Thus, the Watchman may offer the park's best Crater Lake view.  The quality of the view makes this overlook and hike popular, so plan to arrive early in the morning or late in the evening to ensure you get a parking space.

Roadside Watchman Overlook

            Before you begin climbing to the fire tower, take a few minutes to appreciate the view from the roadside Watchman Overlook.  When I came here on an early Tuesday morning in mid-July, I had to look straight into the sun to see the lake, but the dark blue reflective waters still held their enchantment.  The cinder cone known as Wizard Island seems to be directly below you, and you can easily make out detailed contours on the island.

Start of Watchman Lookout Trail

The Watchman atop the cliff

            When you are ready to begin climbing, walk to the right (south) side of the parking lot to find the signed start of the Watchman Lookout Trail.  Interestingly, if you look up the rocky cliff to your left, you can see this hike's final destination peeking over the rocks at the top of the hill.  The Watchman Lookout and Rim Trails run conjointly at first as they begin climbing on a gradual grade with West Rim Drive downhill to your right.  Most of this hike uses wide dusty trail that is exposed to the sun, so you need to wear a hat and/or sunscreen when hiking here during the summer.

Deer crossing the trail

View north from Mount Mazama

            At 0.4 miles, the Watchman Lookout and Rim Trails part ways.  Angle softly left to keep climbing on the Watchman Lookout Trail.  The grade intensifies as the trail curves left and soon begins the series of 8 switchbacks that raise you up to the old fire tower.  I did some good wildlife viewing on this trail that included some deer and a wide variety of birds.  Also, some far-reaching views open up down the west and north faces of Mount Mazama.

Wizard Island, as seen from Watchman fire tower

Watchman fire tower

            At 0.9 miles, you reach the base of the stone and wood Watchman fire tower.  The tower itself is closed to visitors, but climbing some stone steps will bring you to a large stone east-facing observation platform.  From this viewpoint, Wizard Island takes center stage, but the lake is as reflective and mesmerizing as ever.  Also, you can look down the rocky slope and see your car in the parking lot some 400 feet below.  There is only one trail up to the Watchman, so after taking in the view your only option is to hike back down the way you came up.