Mount Watson: 11,521'
1,700 feet elevation change
6 miles round trip.
We started this hike from the Teapot Lake pull-off. Which
made the hike twice as far as it needed to be. I wanted to
do some distance walking to get ready for Kings Peak at the
end of August. I was up until 5:00 AM the previous night playing
samba with a bunch of Brazilians and when I woke up I was
so spaced out that I forgot to make a map... so I got my wish.
Teapot Lake seemed familiar to me so we started there. We
just hiked cross-country through the trees, which wasn't that
much harder than following a trail. There was no real bushwhacking,
just a beautiful hike through a pristine alpine forest. We
passed Star Lake, turned west, passed Wall Lake, then to Watson
Lake, went up the southeast ridge to the summit, and then
hung out until sunset. Then we had to walk all the way back.
This was the hardest part, because it was dark, and hard to
get a bearing on where we were. The route we took was at least
10 miles round trip.
During the whole hike, angry storm clouds swirled above us,
I've never had any epic experiences with storms yet, so I
challenged the clouds to prevent us from reaching the peak
(If I would have started feeling static electricity, I would
have turned back). But, instead the sky opened up for us and
took out their anger on the hikers by Hayden Peak.
We were going to camp by Amethyst Lake by Ostler Peak, but
at the last minute we decided to do a shorter route. I'm sure
it would have been miserable hiking with a backpack in the
rain, so I'm glad we went to Mount Watson.
The correct way there, (or the easiest way) is to go up highway
150 to the Trial Lake/Washington Lake/Crystal Lake turnoff
going north from 150. Follow the signs to Crystal Lake. Park,
then follow the Country Lakes Trail west, until you get to
a trail that turns north or right to Cliff Lake . From this
trail, you just got to improvise a route up to the massive
peak to the northwest. You can go up the south ridge or the
north ridge by Clyde Lake.
From the summit of Mount Watson looking north.
Kletting and A-1 Peaks are visible on the far left.
The "Notch" is visible near the end of the lakes.
Clyde Lake is visible in the bottom right.
Two of the Triple Divide lakes are visible, and one of the Twin Lakes
are visible.
Moffit Peak is visible in the distance in the middle left of the image.
Looking northeast over Teapot Lake with Reids Peak and Bald
Mountain.
Looking north over Diamond Lake with Notch
Mountain in the Background.
Looking east over Star Lake toward Bald Mountain.
With a special appearance by Squeeks Smithmunson.
From just west of Wall Lake looking east, past the "Wall"
toward Reids Peak.
From west of Watson Lake looking up to the top of Mount Watson.
Looking south to some unknown peak.
It looks like it would give you a killer view without too much work.
A brightly colored moth.
From the summit of Mount Watson looking east over the Trial Lake Area. Notch Mountain, Reids Peak,
Bald Mountain, Murdock Peak,
with the main cluster of the Uinta Mountains in the back.
Looking south over Long Peak
to Island Peak.
In the distant background lies the Wasatch Mountains.
Left to right: Mill Canyon Peak, Box Elder Peak, Lone
Peak, A.F. Twin Peaks,
eastern alpine ridge, Superior Peak,
Sunrise and Twin Peaks.
If you read the credits in the movie RV it says that parts of film were shot in canada, the mountains in the shots seem to be larger than these pictures. does anyone know if this is where it was shot? also i have been to independence pass and do not recall seeing the spot where the end of the movie was shot and it is in colorado.
Vickye
Bayou Vista, TX
2007-09-16
We're watching the movie RV and it mentions Mount Watson in Colorado -- In doing an internet "search", there is no Mount Watson in Colorado but we were very pleasantly surprised to find it in Utah.
We had no idea Utah has such beauty and we look forward to adding Mount Watson on our list of places to visit.
Derek
salt lake city
2007-07-09
The picture you have labeled as Star Lake is actually Lake Marion. Star Lake is north east of Lake Marion and is a much larger lake.
elisa Bushman
Provo, ut
2006-05-18
Hello I had a question about the picture on your site of: Reids Peak and Bald Mountain, Mount Agassiz is behind them. I was wondering what the possibility of using the picture on a flier for a non prophet organization would be. It would be used to advertise for a regional chemistry confrence that will be taking place in park city in 2008. The flier would be going out to about 600 people. It would be great if you could reply soon. There is a meeting on June 1st that I need this information for.
elisa bushman
Beck
Hollywood, CA
2006-05-11
these pictures are absolutely spectacular.you've really captured what makes utah so amazing. thanks~
Jason
Coalville, UT
2005-01-11
I was up at the top of watson its pretty cool. Its not a very hard hike to get to the top. I dragged my dad to the top taking the straight up route. Zig Zag and you will be fine. I encourage everyone to at least give it a try.
Michael Deák
Monrovia,CA
2004-12-02
Spectacular photos from western Uintas!! I almost got to the top of Bald Mtn. last trip there in '02, but 50 mph wind and wind chill turned me back about 150 ft. below summit.
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