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Watson Lake

Arizona > Central Arizona > *Prescott Area > Granite Dells

Description

This is the chaotic maze of domes that surrounds scenic Watson Lake. Picture parts of Joshua Tree NP with a lake in it. The rock is very similar to Josh and to the High Rappel Dells section. Quality varies from kitty litter to near Granite Mountain grade granite. See Kevin Keith's excellent "The Granite Dells Climbing Guide" for details. Hundreds of single and multi-pitch routes are described in detail in this guide. Heavily researched and full of photos, this is the best guide ever written to this highly complex region. Available in local shops and on Amazon. 

Getting There

About 3 1/2 miles north of Prescott along HWY 89 there is a new traffic circle where the highway intersects Willow Lake Rd. On the east side of the circle is the entrance to Watson Lake Park. There is day use fee if you plan to park inside the park (an annual pass is available from the city's Rec. Dept.) Or you can park along the highway and then walk in to avoid the day use fee. The City of Prescott parks and recreation department has excellent trail maps online. prescott-az.gov/recreation-…

Northshore Trail  - To access the West Shore Areas, begin in Watson Lake Park and pick up the Northshore Trail at the north boat ramp and hike north above the lake's west shoreline. To reach the climbing, work your way up into the canyon's that lie between the long rock formations stretching west from the trail or to the few climbs that are right on the lake's edge.

Quartz Trail - Another, less traveled route that takes you to the West Shore formations begins at the parking area for the north boat ramp. A trail from this lot leads north over a ridge and then down to an unused dirt road, when the road curves left (west) but continue north over rock through some narrow slots along the western end of the ridges described above. From either trail it's possible to continue north and down to the climbing below the dam, but using the Flume Trail to reach this area is easier.

The East Shore Areas are accessed by boat or via the Peavine Trailhead from a trailhead on Sundog Ranch Road (fee). The trail follows an old railroad bed and is pretty much level the whole way. Hiking north about 30-40 minute to reach the main areas. You can also bike in 10 -15 minutes. The Lakeshore Trail system off the Peavine Trail also helps you get to some of the climbing walls.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Watson Lake under a full moon at dusk
[Hide Photo] Watson Lake under a full moon at dusk
Snake-like inclusion somewhere on Watson Lake's east shore.
[Hide Photo] Snake-like inclusion somewhere on Watson Lake's east shore.
Watson canoe approach.
[Hide Photo] Watson canoe approach.
So much rock!
[Hide Photo] So much rock!
View of the lake from top of Timezone wall, West shore.  Thunderstorm is rolling in...
[Hide Photo] View of the lake from top of Timezone wall, West shore. Thunderstorm is rolling in...
The FA awaits
[Hide Photo] The FA awaits
photo by: TC Pro
[Hide Photo] photo by: TC Pro
View from near Time Zone area
[Hide Photo] View from near Time Zone area
View from near Time Zone area
[Hide Photo] View from near Time Zone area

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

David Bayendor
Denver, CO
[Hide Comment] Just got back from three days of climbing in this area.

There are no access issues at all at this time, and this area is beautiful, fun climbing.

All the fixed hardware is in great condition. With the exception of one day during the week we had the place to ourselves the entire time.

As is typical this time of year, afternoon thunderstorms can shorten your day, but one can easily get in four hours of climbing without getting up at the crack of dawn.

Guidebooks:

Coverage is light in Rock Climbing Arizona by Stewart M. Green. If you can, get to Granite Mountain Outfitters (the only local climbing store left, on Gurley Street just past the town square), and see if they have a copy of Prescott Bouldering by Bill Cramer. Despite the title, it covers a lot of trad, sport, and top rope climbs as well and adds many routes and areas all over Prescott. It seems the Third Edition (2006) is the most current. May 31, 2009
Kurtz
Fort Collins, CO
[Hide Comment] I've been told by locals (and verified by web search) that you do NOT want to swim in the lake. Too bad. It would be great if it could be cleaned up. Dec 4, 2017
BCramer
Prescott
[Hide Comment] Kurtz, While the water quality is questionable, on hot days swims happen. I wouldn't make it a habit though ;) Dec 4, 2017
[Hide Comment] Is there Deep Water Soloing in this lake? Any beta? Looking for something other than ECC. May 24, 2019
MacM
Tucson/Preskitt, AZ
[Hide Comment] Friendly reminder that the new Mussy Hooks are to be used for the last person of the day to lower only. These hooks were provided by the American Safe Climbing Association (ASCA) through their Lower-Off Initiative Program. Please check out this video for slick TR anchors using Mussy's: tinyurl.com/vkrp8v32 Nov 23, 2021