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Secret Cove - Watson Lake - 4 members in 9 triplogs have rated this an average 3.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
9 triplogs
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Oct 21 2022
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 Guides 34
 Routes 138
 Photos 931
 Triplogs 111

68 male
 Joined Dec 26 2018
 Phoenix, AZ
Peavine Tr and Watson Lake, AZ 
Peavine Tr and Watson Lake, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 21 2022
GrangerGuyTriplogs 111
Hiking5.31 Miles 353 AEG
Hiking5.31 Miles   4 Hrs   5 Mns   1.55 mph
353 ft AEG      40 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
I set out with Musicdebbi on the Peavine Trail in Prescott, based on Mare Czinar's write up in the Arizona Republic that morning. Musicdebbi had been pining for some fall color, and the writeup suggested we might find some here. She doesn’t have my enthusiasm for hills, so this seemed just right. We fairly quickly diverged from Czinar’s hike plan, as we left the boring Peavine for the more interesting Lakeshore Trail/Watson Lake Loop and hunted up some geocaches. The lake was pretty; there was a little color along the shore. We spotted many American Coots and Red-winged Blackbirds, an American White Pelican, a few Double-crested Cormorants spreading their wings, and a Spotted Towhee.
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Hoodoo Rock
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Light
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
 
May 05 2021
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 Routes 175
 Photos 2,335
 Triplogs 191

44 female
 Joined Jan 21 2019
 Pine, AZ
Watson Lake LoopPrescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar May 05 2021
jillyonanadventureTriplogs 191
Hiking6.57 Miles 622 AEG
Hiking6.57 Miles   4 Hrs   18 Mns   1.68 mph
622 ft AEG      23 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Decided to drive up North on a whim for the afternoon to visit Watson Lake. I’d only been once before and hiked on Peavine, so I was excited to do the loop! I totally meandered and took everything in as I was in no rush.

I actually missed the traditional parking lot turn and was about to turn around when I saw a secondary parking area called Lake overlook (and it was free!), so I parked there and headed to the right to start the loop.

Just FYI There was a ton of things in the air that would make anyone with severe allergies miserable without proper meds! Once I got off the Peavine trail onto the loop trail it definitely got more interesting. For a hike with not a ton of elevation gain, you’ll still get a great workout. Climbing up, down and all around the rocks is a bit tiring! It was also pretty hot and humid.

Highlights for me were the treehouse, the cool geology & seclusion of the middle of the loop and also the waterfall dam. I did also see someone’s shelter tucked away and I didn’t get too close since I was solo, lol. I only saw one other woman hiking solo on the loop portion, but did see a solid amount of people once closer to the TH.

The water levels were pretty low; looked less than half full and the shallow areas were covered in algae. The sunset was a total stunner which was an awesome bonus! Really glad I got outside and always love exploring new places!
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Great Blue Heron
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Sporadic on the loop. A good amount near the TH.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Watson Lake 26-50% full 26-50% full
The water level was VERY low, but people were still kayaking and SUP. I’d guess less than half, refer to photos.
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Restless between adventures...
  2 archives
Aug 10 2019
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 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
Watson Lake LoopPrescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 10 2019
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Hiking6.30 Miles 689 AEG
Hiking6.30 Miles   3 Hrs   29 Mns   2.35 mph
689 ft AEG      48 Mns Break13 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
First time to Watson Lake. I was expecting a simple walk around the shoreline with some rocks to play on, but the dells along the north shore were mysterious and we spent some time exploring. We found a makeshift shelter that had a definite creepy vibe. Lots of blood sucking mosquitoes fed on our group, especially while exploring along the stagnant north shore coves.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Granite Creek
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Watson Lake 51-75% full 51-75% full
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May 31 2016
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 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Watson Lake LoopPrescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar May 31 2016
Tortoise_HikerTriplogs 3,652
Hiking5.20 Miles 868 AEG
Hiking5.20 Miles   1 Hour   55 Mns   2.71 mph
868 ft AEG
 no routes
Another fun hike out of my Boots and Burgers book. I wanted to start from the Watson Lake Park. I didn't plan right and got there an hour before it opened. I just waited but I had to skip my lunch plan later in the day :( . Cool little area. :)
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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Mar 11 2016
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 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Northshore Trail - Watson LakePrescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 11 2016
Charger55Triplogs 573
Hiking5.50 Miles
Hiking5.50 Miles   4 Hrs      1.38 mph
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Once around the lake. I don't think my wife would've waited for me if I went around twice. Then again, I had the car keys. We did a fair amount of birding along the way. Northern Shovelers were the popular sighting of the day. Two geese attempted to attack us. They met their fate at the end of my trekking poles.
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"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
Oct 07 2015
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 Routes 36
 Photos 2,658
 Triplogs 1,347

67 male
 Joined Jul 28 2004
 Scottsdale, AZ
Watson & Willow, AZ 
Watson & Willow, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 07 2015
mazatzalTriplogs 1,347
Hiking12.00 Miles 1,100 AEG
Hiking12.00 Miles   5 Hrs   5 Mns   2.53 mph
1,100 ft AEG      20 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Watson Lake Circle Trail should be renamed “Links (not Lynx) Lake Circle Trail” :lol: :roll:

I did Watson clockwise and Willow counterclockwise. These loops are okay but in both cases the part in the Granite Dells is very cool while the rest is a bit monotonous. I saw very few people on either loop. Weather was great, a bit cool at the beginning but very pleasant later.
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
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  3 archives
Aug 01 2015
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 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Watson Lake LoopPrescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 01 2015
chumleyTriplogs 1,993
Hiking5.66 Miles 681 AEG
Hiking5.66 Miles   2 Hrs   33 Mns   2.46 mph
681 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Culture can only be bookended with adventure, and Watson Lake fit the bill.

9L wanted to get as many links in the shortest hike possible, so he went to HAZmasterB for research -- and Bruce's hiking history directed us to this gem of link heaven :y:
(Richard, I expect to see you up here in the next two weeks ;) )

There was some kind of car show in the Watson Lake Park, so we had to fight traffic to get in, but once there it was quite a peaceful hike. Only saw a couple of people on the circumference until the Peavine Trail. Below the dam is the most "strenuous" part of the hike and nobody goes there. It was stupid humid out and we were all soaked and ready for a swim. Too bad I wouldn't touch this water in a HAZmat suit!

Clouds made for some nice lighting though. South end of the lake is rather boring, Claire got to ogle some firefighters in action so that was good I guess. :roll:

We had a quick snack before continuing our adventure trifecta.
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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
Aug 01 2015
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 Photos 188
 Triplogs 163

43 female
 Joined Oct 26 2011
 Tempe, AZ
Watson Lake LoopPrescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 01 2015
clairebearTriplogs 163
Hiking5.66 Miles 681 AEG
Hiking5.66 Miles   2 Hrs   33 Mns   2.46 mph
681 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
I know two guys who were a bit tired after a weekend of more miles than normal so it was a nice occasion to get in a chill day on the water. Before we enjoyed a relaxing lake paddle, we opted to hike the circumference trail.

Weird day, since none of us expected to have to fight our way through a car show in order to get to lake parking. After that we hit the trails which were pretty quiet for an urban hike. The first couple of miles were through the Dells and very rocky and followed some stupid white dots every couple of feet to stay on trail. Eventually the trail goes beyond where the lake is dammed and it becomes very lush and green. We walked over to as close to the dam as we could get to check it out. The water from the dam pools into quiet little ponds that are home to some very large frogs. Afterwards we checked out some coves where Chumley found a bum house and also a tree house. Eventually we picked up the Peavine trail and were able to walk very quickly back to the car. The Peavine trail
has nice views of the lake on one side, and eventually takes an interesting turn on the opposite side.
Interesting views- a police training facility and a firefighter
training facility where we watched the fire men in action. Neat.

So, basically our quiet lake hike turned into, avoiding a car show, chumley almost walking into a bums house, exploring a questionable tree house and then watching some firefighters put out a mock fire. :)
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Aug 01 2015
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 Guides 6
 Routes 183
 Photos 5,612
 Triplogs 1,647

male
 Joined Mar 12 2004
 Scottsdale, AZ
Watson Lake LoopPrescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 01 2015
John9LTriplogs 1,647
Hiking5.66 Miles 681 AEG
Hiking5.66 Miles   2 Hrs   33 Mns   2.46 mph
681 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
This was a nice and easy loop before our planned kayaking trip. We made a clockwise loop around the lake. The hiking is okay but the views are nice. Some sections are a little rugged but easy overall. The dam was really cool and that area is very lush.
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average hiking speed 2.18 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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