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.