The Granite Within - Watson Lake, Prescott

Watson Lake, Arizona | A creative Adventure Story

The coldness and roughness of the rock I sit upon don’t bother me. I’m more interested in the beautiful yellow glow of the last bit of sunlight bouncing off the granite rock formations. A soft shadow forms from the golden clouds above. I’ve seen views of this lake many times but again it feels like a first. I wonder to myself if this is the most breathtaking sunset I’ve ever seen.

Driving by the Granite Dells in Prescott years ago I never expected that there would be so much to explore and see within such a small area. I always noticed the beautiful tones of the rocks and the ripples in the water but I never knew how much there was within the Granite Dells to explore until I started to visit myself.

I knew I had to stop by today. I pulled my car up to the kiosk that is found right off the chaotic roundabout exit. I remembered that today, Wednesday, entry is free although the usual price of $3 is worth it. Free makes everything easier, so it was no struggle for me to exit the roundabout one turn early on my way home. I rolled over the speedbumps, probably a little too fast as my body jumped out of my seat a little and my car made a noise that didn’t sound the best for it. The parking area was pretty full with a variety of cars but I was not worried. I knew that there would be plenty to explore among the rocks and countless views. My favorite time to visit is during sunset when the light is the softest and I don’t have to squint to see the surrounding scenery. Sunrise is amazing too but I would prefer to lay in the warmth of my bed.

I grabbed my grey bag filled with my precious camera gear and I slung it over my shoulder as I swung open my door. I started walking away from the car and towards the unknown. I’d been to Watson Lake many times but I never know exactly where I would end up to take pictures and take in the scene. There is a nice spot a few hundred feet from the parking lot but there are usually people there. I prefer to climb and jump across the seemingly treacherous boulders to find a new view. Photography has allowed me to realize the variety that can be found in one area or Watson Lake in this case.

I asked myself which way I should head. Do I venture to somewhere I have been before or try something new? I approached a pretty nice spot that I had been to before but it was just off the trail and could have been congested with people. That was true, there was a group there taking pictures with the stunning view in the background. I knew that if I put in a little more effort I could find a rewarding spot and have it all to myself. When I am alone with nature it allows me to feel a deeper connection to something bigger that I have had no part in creating and although Watson Lake’s parking lot can be full there are plenty of opportunities to find solitude within the area.

I walked a little along one of the dirt trails that had been paved for people to safely explore. Once I got closer to the water I split off and leap up onto a rock. I looked down at my nice white Adidas shoes. I got upset with myself, I didn’t realize I had my clean white shoes on. I usually wear my dirty white shoes or navy-blue shoes when I go hiking. I had to accept that they were going to get dirty. It was upsetting but I knew it would be worth it. I carefully pounced from rock to rock making sure I didn’t make a wrong step and plunge into the mossy and odd-looking water. I reached a large cluster of boulders and stretched my arms up to the top to try and climb it. This was just another one of those situations where I wish I was taller. I couldn’t reach the top but that had never stopped me. I looked around and saw another potential route to get around so I headed out that way. I hopped and climbed around some more, getting some cuts on my legs from the sharpness and roughness of the rocks. I loved it though, it made me feel like a warrior.

I found a nice quiet spot where I couldn’t see or hear anyone else and I settled down. The little bumps of rocks sticking out of the granite weren’t the most comfortable seat but it sure offered a great view. Just in time for the clouds to start changing colors from white to hues of yellow and blue. I took a deep breath in through my nose and could feel the chill of the air in my nostrils. I let it out through my mouth and felt a sense of ease and comfort with where I was in the moment.

The whole view changes when my face is pressed up against the rubber on my camera’s viewfinder. My finger slowly rotates the dial on the front of the camera to change the depth of field. Everything within the scene is in focus, from the multilayered and rounded granite that I sit just above to the towering masses of granite that scatter throughout the background. The shot is a little dark but I don’t want to blow out the beautiful blues and yellows that spread throughout the sky. I know that I can bring up the darkness of the foreground later so I don’t worry. My hand steadily presses down on the shutter button and I hear a small click from the camera. This sound just helps reassure me that the short yet adventurous and new journey to this spot was worth it. It also reminds me that there are plenty more experiences and little clicks of beautiful moments to be had at this lake.