Screaming children, flailing weekenders and hordes of Boy Scouts are what I usually associate with the trailheads just off of Mirror Lake Highway in the Uinta National Forest. Not a pretty sight. But what if I told you there was solitude and immense beauty to be found just a few miles past the cacophony of summer day-trippers? Oh, and you can bag a nice peak, as well! I’m talking about Mount Watson, which can be reached with minimal effort from the Crystal Lake Trailhead. You may be dubious, but trust me, it’s worth checking out.
I arrived at the Crystal Lake trailhead on a Saturday morning (really, the worst possible time to be there). Fortunately for me, I cruised right into a just abandoned parking spot and geared up. The place was bustling with families, fisherman, and loads of day hikers. I hoped my plan would pan out. Crystal Lake is perhaps the busiest trailhead in the Uintas, owing to the fact that Wall Lake is just a short hike for an afternoon of swimming, fishing and picnicking.
Hasty time was made on the Notch Mountain Trail past the throngs of folks enjoying Wall Lake. I switchbacked my way up past scenic Hope Lake towards the Notch. Soon, the trail splits. I headed west towards the Twin Lakes and made my way towards Clyde Lake. Within minutes I was totally alone on the trail, and it wasn’t until Clyde Lake that I saw more people. I scampered up the west side of Clyde and ran smack-dab into the first of the Three Divide Lakes, Booker Lake. Plenty of campsites were available, so I found the choicest one and planted my flag.
Jared Hargrave has previously reported on a backcountry ski tour of Mount Watson. I decided to follow in his footsteps sans skins. There are several good routes up Watson, but I chose the Northeast Ridge, just a few steps from my camp. Steep and rocky is the name of the game here. I scampered up everything from rock ledges to short scree fields on the obvious ridge line. Just 45 minutes later I reached the summit at 11,521’. Watson may not be the tallest peak in the Uintas, but what it lacks in height it makes up for in views. Lakes are visible in every direction, as well great views of nearby Notch and Bald Mountains, and Reid’s Peak.
I returned down the northeast ridge, and found something strange when I got back to camp: solitude. Yes, just three miles from a busy trailhead I found myself all alone on Booker Lake. I cracked a cold beer, sat back and was treated to one of the finest sunset views a man could ask for. Fish leapt out of the lake by the scores, and the wilderness insects played me a soothing tune. I won’t lie: I sort of doubted I would find this type of serenity on this packing trip, so I enjoyed it that much more.
The next morning I followed trail #602 down past Watson Lake, tiny Petit Lake and finally Cliff Lake. Petit was my favorite of the three. Less than a mile later I merged onto the Lakes Country Trail and arrived back in the parking lot within minutes. Short, sweet and steep…the perfect 24 hour getaway for someone who wants to see it all. I highly recommend giving this trip a shot, apprehensions be damned!