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Watchman Trail - 6 members in 8 triplogs have rated this an average 4 ( 1 to 5 best )
8 triplogs
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Sep 05 2024
avatar

 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Watchman TrailSouthwest, UT
Watchman Trail
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Sep 05 2024
mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387
Hiking4.10 Miles 701 AEG
Hiking4.10 Miles   1 Hour   35 Mns   2.59 mph
701 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Last day in Zion. Did this as my early morning hike before our departure. Drove from the lodge down to the visitor center. Got there around 5:45. Still dark out. But the shuttles start running at 6am and the parking lot was nearly half full already. The Watchman Trail is located at the north edge of the parking lot, across from the road you drive in on. At the beginning there are numerous signs for this trail and it should be easy to pick up.

Initially, the trail starts off between the Virgin River and the parking lot for over-sized vehicles. The trail is relatively flat for the first .4 miles. In that time it leaves the Virgin River and then circles a small hill before crossing a dry wash using cement steps. After the wash the trail starts a steady climb up the foothills of the towering cliffs. I was doing this hike with a headlamp so the views were very limited to start with. At just over a mile, I crossed a small stream and the trail began to flatten out. Once this happens you know you are getting near the end. The trail goes another .3 miles before reaching the end. Where the Watchmen ends there is a short loop trail that goes along the edge of the shelf. It was still dark out and there are several use trails in this area so I ended up getting off trail and doing my own version of the loop. Ended up sitting down on a large rock, where the loop trail starts, and waited for daylight to illuminate the valley around me. Honestly, after yesterday, the views where underwhelming. Hard to compete with Angel’s. The shelf where the trail ends, really isn’t really that high off the valley floor and views are very much limited to the surrounding cliffs and the visitor center, campground and museum below. With the coming of daylight I could see where I had missed the loop on the Loop Trail. So I went down and followed the trail correctly. Maybe .3 miles with the loop.

Easy hike. Met 2 trail runners and 4 hikers on the way down. No wildlife.
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Mar 29 2024
avatar

 Guides 33
 Routes 286
 Photos 445
 Triplogs 251

35 male
 Joined Oct 23 2017
 Tempe
Watchman TrailSouthwest, UT
Watchman Trail
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Mar 29 2024
KingLeonidas • Triplogs 251
Hiking3.37 Miles 641 AEG
Hiking3.37 Miles   1 Hour   28 Mns   2.44 mph
641 ft AEG      5 Mns Break6 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Hiked Watchman Trail in Zion National Park with Victoria as part of our Zion trip.

This was a good trail to fit in towards the end of the day as the trailhead is at the visitor center and you don't have to deal with the shuttle system to get there. Also, it provides a good view of the East facing side of Zion Canyon and looks pretty at sunset (particularly on a partly cloudy day). It is a pretty popular trail though so expect a good number of people. The first portion follows the Virgin River for a stretch which was clear and blue when we hiked it on our first day in the park (it would not be clear again for the remainder of our trip). The view from the top was good but mostly consisted of the campground and visitor's center area (so less of a natural view).

Far less famous than the West Rim trail (Angel's Landing) or The Narrows, the Watchman is a more moderate option that is worth doing if you can fit it in to a Zion trip.
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Oct 03 2021
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 Routes 386
 Photos 49
 Triplogs 792

43 female
 Joined Jun 23 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Watchman TrailSouthwest, UT
Watchman Trail
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Oct 03 2021
emilystardust • Triplogs 792
Hiking3.20 Miles 701 AEG
Hiking3.20 Miles
701 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Dec 26 2020
avatar

 Guides 9
 Routes 33
 Photos 780
 Triplogs 4,634

44 male
 Joined Nov 25 2008
 Scottsdale, AZ
Watchman TrailSouthwest, UT
Watchman Trail
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Dec 26 2020
Booneman • Triplogs 4,634
Hiking4.00 Miles 930 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   2.67 mph
930 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked from my campsite in Watchman and completed the loop. I really enjoyed this hike and highly recommend around sunset.
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Oct 24 2017
avatar

 Guides 10
 Routes 673
 Photos 7,281
 Triplogs 4,660

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Zion National Park, UT 
Zion National Park, UT
 
Hiking avatar Oct 24 2017
trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660
Hiking9.34 Miles 2,564 AEG
Hiking9.34 Miles
2,564 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Angel's Landing
Watchman Trail
Canyon Overlook Trail
Partners none no partners
in 2009, we hiked most of the shorter hikes available from the shuttle stops
hidden canyon, emerald pools, weeping rock, riverside walk and angel's landing
this year, we wanted to do angel's landing again, along with some new stuff
got going around 0845 or so
a little chilly to start with
wasn't all that crowded
an easy approach, then a steeper grade, through refrigerator canyon, up walter's wiggles and to scout's lookout
the fun starts with the climb up the ridgeline, navigating the chains and scrambles
a little crowded here, with one big traffic jam - not too annoying, though
spent a few minutes on the small summit, admiring the canyon and river views
the descent was even less crowded
glad we did this one, but i probably don't need to do it again; just too many people on it
next, we went over to the visitor center and hiked watchman trail from the campground
this was a lot of fun, switchbacking up to a little butte
the trail makes a loop around the top and the western edge has great views of zion canyon and springdale
really enjoyed this hike, and there were not many people on it
after some chips and salsa in the picnic area and a stop at the visitor center, headed out the east side
hit the canyon overlook trail just east of the tunnel
fun hike on a mix of slickrock and sand with good views to the west
a little late in the afternoon so the light wasn't great
headed for bryce, and saw some bighorn sheep near checkerboard mesa on the way out
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hazhole
 
Oct 19 2014
avatar

 Photos 250
 Triplogs 74

male
 Joined Dec 10 2009
 Tempe, AZ
Watchman TrailSouthwest, UT
Watchman Trail
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Oct 19 2014
DbleDutch • Triplogs 74
Hiking2.70 Miles 560 AEG
Hiking2.70 Miles
560 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
A quieter lower traffic trail. Good views up canyon and recommend an early AM hike to see the east facing walls in the morning light,
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Oct 23 2011
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 183
 Photos 5,612
 Triplogs 1,647

male
 Joined Mar 12 2004
 Scottsdale, AZ
Watchman TrailSouthwest, UT
Watchman Trail
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar Oct 23 2011
John9L • Triplogs 1,647
Hiking2.70 Miles 560 AEG
Hiking2.70 Miles
560 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We stayed in the Watchman Campground and I wanted to check out this hike after Larry (Squatpuke) wrote up the description. I started late in the day and made quick time. The trail has a steady climb up but nothing overwhelming. Before long I found myself at the top where there is a short loop hike that takes you to several viewpoints over the south end of Zion valley. I took some pics and then made my way back down. The entire hike took just over an hour and was well worth the effort!
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May 08 2011
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 6
 Photos 1,634
 Triplogs 186

58 male
 Joined Apr 04 2002
 Flagstaff, AZ
Watchman TrailSouthwest, UT
Watchman Trail
Southwest, UT
Hiking avatar May 08 2011
squatpuke • Triplogs 186
Hiking2.70 Miles 560 AEG
Hiking2.70 Miles   2 Hrs      1.35 mph
560 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Our first day camping at the Watchman Campground. We were able to walk to the trail-head just down the street from the "overflow" parking for Visitor Center.

The trail is moderately steep and steady. Kind of windy at the top but we had a HUGE rainstorm blowing in which ended up dumping over an 1" of rain on us that night...needless to say, ZION was bursting with waterfall action all over the park.

This was a fun little hike, took my 8 and 11 year old who both had fun climbing the rock retaining walls on the switchbacks.
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squatpuke@gmail.com
  1 archive
average hiking speed 2.26 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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