The Watchtower  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  40.4462, -111.6958 Map Page Views:  3,412. Good page?    Administrators:  Kristine Hoffman, Andrew Gram, Perin Blanchard, grk10vq, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  jtwalter on Jun 26, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Located in a National Forest Fee Area MORE INFO >>> See the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Service fee page for more information. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

Black Magic's view of the crag.

Description 

The climbing on The Watchtower is not the classic pocket pulling that you expect from American Fork Canyon. It's more technical in nature with edges, crimpers, sidepulls and a few jugs thrown in for good measure.

Fun area with good climbing and little traffic.

This is a great area for fall climbing in American Fork.

See an oblique, aerial view here.

Getting There 

The Watchtower is located 3.4 miles up the canyon. Park and walk 150 yards directly up the hill to the north from the parking area.

Alternatively, instead of heading up the talus slope, there is a small trail just to the east of the large rock formation (known as The Hitcher) just off the road. Head up that trail and take the left hand trail when it splits. You'll have to climb up the last 20 yards of the talus slope.

The first route (Billy Goat's Gruff - .11a) starts at the top of the talus slope and the routes continue to the left.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Watchtower

Step Right Up 5.12a  UT : Wasatch Range : ... : The Watchtower

Start pulling on a right facing flake (don't cheat by going right—use the flake) then clip the 2nd bolt with nice holds. Next, find your way to the only pocket on the climb—3rd bolt.You get a huge rest at bolt 4, then come two beautiful pinchers at the small overhang - clip - then find the sidepull to a sloper to a crimper, reach for a nice right hold using the undercling after that you have easy climbing to the chains.This climb has it all. It's solid 12a and sim...[more]   Browse More Classics in UT