The Watchman
​Hike details:
Mileage: 1.6 miles out and back w/ 375 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 41 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High during the summer months July through mid-September
Highest elevation: 7,998 ft. Lowest elevation: 7,586 ft.
General location: 82 miles northeast of Medford - Crater Lake National Park
Suggested seasons: Summer, fall
(Best time to go is mid-September and early October when there are less people in the park but the weather is still amazing).
Permits required:
Trail allows: NO DOGS!!!
Possible dangers: Afternoon thunderstorms in July and August
Approximate hike time: 41 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High during the summer months July through mid-September
Highest elevation: 7,998 ft. Lowest elevation: 7,586 ft.
General location: 82 miles northeast of Medford - Crater Lake National Park
Suggested seasons: Summer, fall
(Best time to go is mid-September and early October when there are less people in the park but the weather is still amazing).
Permits required:
- America The Beautiful Pass or Annual Crater Lake Pass
- Day pass: cars - $30 in the summer (May 22-October 31), $20 in the winter (November 1-May 21). Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Good for 7 days.
- Motorcycles - $25 in the summer (May 22-October 31), $15 in the winter (November 1-May 21). Admits one or two passengers on a private, non-commercial motorcycle. Good for 7 days.
- Bicycles & Pedestrians - $15 per individual. Admits one individual with no car (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Good for 7 days.
Trail allows: NO DOGS!!!
Possible dangers: Afternoon thunderstorms in July and August
(trailhead sign)
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Description:The Watchman is an easy hike located within Crater Lake National Park that takes you up to an incredible lake rim viewpoint. From the top you can see the whole lake and the mountains beyond!
The trailhead is large and there is also a lake rim viewing area there, so most people who are parked in the parking lot are just going to the viewing area and not actually hiking to the top of The Watchman. The trail starts at the southern end of the parking area and this section is also part of the Crater Lake Rim Trail. Keep in mind, dogs are NOT allowed on this trail! |
The first part of the trail is a very wide gravel path where you will likely see that some rocks have tumbled down from the hillside on the left. At the 0.3 mile mark you will come to a trail split. Here the Rim Trail continues to the right and you will continue to the left on the Watchman Trail. Over the next 0.5 miles you will go up 9 switchbacks. From the trail you will start getting great views to the north, west and south.
(view of Hillman Peak, Mount Bailey, Diamond Peak and Mount Thielsen)
At the summit of The Watchman there is an old fire lookout and a very well made stone viewing platform with information plaques. The walls are about 3 feet high so it isn't too dangerous to be up there, however if you have small kids, please keep an eye on them. We all know kids love to climb, and the drop off on the other side of the wall is very steep and rocky! From the summit to the north you will see Hillman Peak closest to The Watchman, then Mount Bailey, Mount Thielsen and Diamond Peak (all of these are also amazing viewpoint hikes). Across the incredibly blue Crater Lake you will see Mount Scott and Garfield Peak, and to the south you will see Mount McLoughlin and on a very clear day even Mount Shasta is visible. Being on this side of Wizard Island allows you to see the many coves of the island and the amazing tropical looking water.
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(Wizard Island)
The Watchman is a must-do short and easy hike during your visit to Crater Lake National Park. It is family friendly, and the trail is a mixture of gravel and dirt. There are no big rocky or rooted sections and because the trail is inside the national park, it gets regular maintenance. This hike is not safe to do during the winter when there is snow, and also keep in mind that the Crater Lake area is known for summer afternoon thunderstorms, so watch the weather before climbing up to The Watchman. Worst case scenario you can huddle underneath the fire lookout, but it is not a good idea to be stuck out on the trail when there is lightning as this is a high point along the rim.
Directions:
From Medford
- Drive OR-62 E for a total of 49.5 miles, then at a fork turn right to stay on OR-62 E for another 15.8 miles. Turn left onto Munson Valley Rd/Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway for 6.7 miles, then turn left onto Rim Dr/Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway for 3.7 miles and find the trailhead on your right. (Total of 82 miles)
- Drive US-97 S for a total of 74.5 miles, then turn right onto OR-138 W for 14.7 miles. At a sign for Crater Lake North Entrance turn left onto Crater Lake Hwy N/Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway for 11.3 miles and find the trailhead on your left. (Total of 101 miles)
- Drive OR-58 E for a total of 86.2 miles, then merge onto US-97 S and stay on US-97 for 17.9 miles. Turn right onto OR-138 W for 14.7 miles. At a sign for Crater Lake North Entrance turn left onto Crater Lake Hwy N/Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway for 11.3 miles and find the trailhead on your left. (Total of 138 miles)
- Total of 199 miles via Eugene.
- Total of 243 miles via Eugene.
-This trail write-up was last updated June, 2022-
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.