Two weeks ago, Dad and Adam and I set out for a fun quick Dad+twins trip up Mount Watson, on the edge of the National Park. We had a lovely time camping with beautiful views and lots of lakes, some fun and mildly adventurous scrambling, a tiny glacier, and a quick hike out.
We left Seattle Saturday in the early afternoon and drove across the top of Baker Dam to access the Anderson Butte trailhead. We stopped to walk back onto the dam, and all collectively scratched our heads trying identify the large, mysterious floating structure anchored in front of the dam - turns out it’s a floating collector for juvenile salmon, who are then transported around the dam by truck. Neat.
Watson Lakes and Mount Bacon on the approach.
Flowers near Upper Anderson Lake.
It was a quick hike in to our “high camp” below Watson, with nice views in all directions, and the three of us enjoyed exploring around the area at sunset.
Watson Lakes, Mount Shuksan, Blum, and Hagan.
Mount Baker and the setting sun.
The next morning, we set off to tag the summit by climbing the Northwest Ridge. After a bit of dirty climbing around the South Face to bypass the West Summit, the traverse along the knifeedge ridge crest to the true summit was stunning.
Adam and Dad traversing slabs on the Northwest Ridge of Watson.
Dad traversing the ridge between the West and Main summits.
The three of us on the summit of Watson.
We descended to the east via the dying Watson Glacier, and headed back to camp and the car. A great trip with good people.
Adam and Dad crossing below the Watson Glacier enroute back to camp.