Lakeshore Trail - Watson Lake, AZ

This short trail, which hugs Watson Lake and scrambles through the surrounding granite, is an excellent hiking option to the Peavine Trail; which is better suited for running/biking. The Lakeshore Trail entrance is exactly one mile in on Peavine Trail and will be to your left. At the trailhead, there is a one-mile marker and a memorial to a local runner named Jessica.


From the entrance, you will approach the shore of Watson Lake and be greeted with lovely views of the lake and the unique granite formations that surround it (for those who would like to soak up these views, there are two benches right by the entrance and one closer to the water). The trail then meanders away from the lake, makes its way up through the granite, and provides you with more scenic views of the lake from higher up. At this point, you may want to scramble to take advantage of the best views (of course, this is only recommended for the sure-footed, but well worth it). The trail will bring you to the shore of the lake a couple more times, eventually leaving the lake behind you, and take you up and down through a picturesque granite wilderness. In the distance, there are clear views of Granite Mountain and Thumb Butte.

The two-mile trail ends when it joins the Peavine once again. Overall, the trail is generally well marked with trail posts, yellow flags, and the occasional cairn. Shooting off of the main trail are several small loops and out and back trails. Generally, these offshoots will either bring you to the lake's shore or a scenic viewpoint. Since this is a short four-mile out and back hike, it is worth it to do some exploring.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.

2009-08-11 mtnlver