Watson Creek (California) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Watson Creek
Watson Creek above Carnelian Bay, California
Country	United States
State	California
Region	Placer County
Physical characteristics
Main source	a meadow north of Watson Lake and Mount Watson Tahoe National Forest 7,760 ft (2,370 m) 39°13′39″N 120°08′22″W / 39.22750°N 120.13944°W / 39.22750; -120.13944
River mouth	Lake Tahoe Carnelian Bay, California 6,230 ft (1,900 m) 39°13′07″N 120°05′11″W / 39.21861°N 120.08639°W / 39.21861; -120.08639

Watson Creek is a small stream located in northern California. It flows for about 3 miles (about 5 kilometers). This creek starts near Watson Lake, below a mountain called Mount Watson. It then flows into the famous Lake Tahoe. A popular hiking path, the Tahoe Rim Trail, crosses the creek in a beautiful meadow where it begins. The trail also follows along the eastern shore of Watson Lake.

The creek, the lake, and the mountain are all named after Robert Montgomery Watson. He arrived at Lake Tahoe in 1875. Robert Watson built the Watson Log Cabin, which is the only old log cabin still standing in Tahoe City, California.

The Tahoe Rim Trail crosses the headwaters meadow where Watson Creek begins.

Discover Watson Lake

Watson Lake is a beautiful lake located very high up, at an elevation of about 7,759 feet (2,365 meters). The very beginning of Watson Creek is actually separated from Watson Lake by a rocky ridge. The water flowing out of Watson Lake is a smaller stream that joins Watson Creek a little further downstream.

A wide view of Watson Lake from the Tahoe Rim Trail. On the right, the trail goes north over a ridge to where it crosses Watson Creek. On the left, the trail crosses the small stream flowing out of the lake, which joins the creek, and then continues south toward Lake Tahoe.

Explore Mount Watson

Mount Watson is a mountain peak that stands at about 8,405 feet (2,562 meters) high. It is located just north of Tahoe City, California. From the top of Mount Watson, you can see amazing views of Lake Tahoe and also get a good look at Watson Lake below.

Mount Watson's steep, rocky side as seen from the northeast shore of Watson Lake.

Watson Lake (bottom left) and Lake Tahoe (top right) as seen from a road near the top of Mount Watson.

A wide view of Lake Tahoe from near the top of Mount Watson.