We had a late start today, parked at the trailhead at 10:05am. We took our time stretching, reviewing the map route, getting our gps tracking us, applying sunscreen, and bug spraying. All essential for us today. Some of our group wore bug nets, others didn’t. We all sprayed w/ deet (ewww).
Went towards Watson lakes, and took the backcountry route to upper Anderson lake. It’s a backcountry route so there is not signage. There are 2 routes actually and they meet at the ridge / open meadow. I prefer the 2nd option because it’s less steep, yes more rooty, but it’s way more pleasant. It’s like 2 minutes past the 1st option. You can see it on the gps link below.
From here (where the backcountry routes meet) it was a 1/4 mile walk to the 1st lake. Then we followed it up to a second 1/2 frozen lake.
after swimming and eating under our head nets 😂 we back-tracked to the 1st lake and took the backcountry route up to Mt. Watson. We explored / hung out at a really dope basin at 5300. There were rocks to lounge on and pretty tarns to look at. Then we backtracked and continued up the Mt. Watson trail another maybe 200 feet. We went until we got to a pass that we could see north aways. There was a group going for the summit that we talked w/ but this was the end for us today.
total 6.5 miles, 1900 ft RT.
link to the track I followed:
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/BVxsaeS2ddiSVfcz0qwzVKXi/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLtGbIBHZ2_a7mVtQedaAMrxq3jjkfc9HSAFZ3MK4WLeWZ_veVJULSGPBttCWHwBw
Comments
meanderingelwha on Anderson and Watson Lakes
Always so wonderful to see dogs off leach on the trail & in the wilderness. Thanks for caring! ...well, maybe next time? In the meantime why not charge up yer bluetooth speaker & let 'er rip while you walk.
Posted by:
meanderingelwha on Jul 17, 2025 04:01 PM
cantremember on Anderson and Watson Lakes
My dog stays on trail better than grumpy old fahk humans. Plus, it’s backcountry where my dog is off leash, ie there isn’t an official trail to stay on or off. Just respect.
Hope u get out there and write more than 1 trip report in a decade. Or just keep making shiii up in ur head.
Ps I don’t play music on a trail.
✌🏼 , love, and happy hiking
Posted by:
cantremember on Jul 17, 2025 04:58 PM
Arul on Anderson and Watson Lakes
Hi, Thanks for the great report. Can you share your GPS track? Didn't see it in the report.
Posted by:
Arul on Jul 22, 2025 05:04 PM
cantremember on Anderson and Watson Lakes
This was the track I followed:
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/BVxsaeS2ddiSVfcz0qwzVKXi/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLtGbIBHZ2_a7mVtQedaAMrxq3jjkfc9HSAFZ3MK4WLeWZ_veVJULSGPBttCWHwBw
Posted by:
cantremember on Jul 22, 2025 06:30 PM