As we travel northwest along the Tranquille Canyon, we can see a line of rugged mountains/hills overlooking the river.   Volcanic cliffs and eroded bluffs loom over the canyon starting with Mount Mara, then Wheeler Mountain, and Opax Mountain.   The fourth in this line is Watching Hill.   It sits over the confluence of Watching Creek and the Tranquille River.   The trail to the confluence starts at Tranquille Crossing (the bridge over the river).   Just past the bridge on the right is a double track rough road that winds to Watching Creek for 3km.   The gorges of both creeks/rivers are impressive and worth the hike/bike/run.

Near the confluence a sidetrack bears up the north side of Watching Creek.   Stay high and follow it to the end.   From the end, there is no trail, but the Southwest ridge is open forest, steep, but easy to follow to the top.   Some rock bands are found near the top, but the route on the top of the ridge is safe and scenic.   Cliffs surround the top so hikers can go either west or east.   At the west overlook, a coyote came to visit and stayed for 10 minutes, mostly curious.    The overlook to the east has a fine view of Opax Mountain and the Watching Creek Valley.   On the way down, the ridge is still the best way to avoid any cliffs, but hikers can choose to angle to the west and come down open-forested slopes.   Halfway down, a shale slide was crossed and some fossils were found.   This side is steep and best for downhill only.

With no trail, this route won’t be for everyone, but it is a good route to a remote, scenic spot.   The climb up the SW Ridge is about 1.5 km with an elevation gain of 400m.   On a cool, cloudy day, it was a good workout.   A sunny day would bring better photos, but it would be a hot, dry route.   There should be a trail here…