Near by we found quite a nursery of graceful, dainty and attractive young firs; “Noah’s ark trees,” I always feel like calling them, for they remind one constantly of the trees found in the Noah’s arks of childhood days, made by the Swiss during the long winter nights in their mountain chalets, where the trees are of a similar character to those of the Sierras.

Near to the point at which we turn to the left for Watson’s Peak, and to the right for Watson’s Lake, is a delicious, cool, clear spring, which I instinctively called, “the Spring of the Angels.”  When Bob asked the why of the name, the answer quickly came:  “It is up so high and is so pure and good.”  The elevation is about 8000 feet.  We take to the left.

Here also is found the mountain pine, its fine, smooth, black bark contrasting markedly with that of the firs and pines further down.  It is generally found not lower than this elevation around Lake Tahoe.

Near by are some scattered hemlocks.  This tree is found even higher than the mountain pine, and is seldom found lower than 8000 feet.  In these higher elevations one sees what a struggle some of the trees have for mere existence.  Again and again a mountain pine will be found, a tree perhaps fifty feet high, bowed over almost to the ground.  This was done by snow.  Given the slightest list from the perpendicular when the heavy, wet snow falls upon it, it is bound slowly to be forced over.  If it is a tough, strong tree it may sustain the weight until melting time comes, when it is released.  But it never becomes upright again.  On the other hand if a cold snap comes after the snow has bent it over, it is no uncommon thing for it to snap right in two, eight, ten or more feet from the ground.

Now we stand on the summit.  This peak and its attendant lake were named after my incomparable guide, Robert Watson, and it is well that the name of so admirable a man should be preserved in the region through which he has intelligently and kindly guided so many interested visitors.  The elevation is 8500 feet.

What a wonderful panorama is spread out before us.  Close by, just across the valley in which nestles Watson’s Lake, 7900 feet elevation, is Mt.  Pluto, 8500 feet, the sides of which are covered with a dense virgin forest, thus presenting a magnificent and glorious sight.  There is no trail through this forest though sheep are taken there to graze in the quiet meadows secluded on the heights.

Further to the east and north is Mt.  Rose, 10,800 feet, on which is perched the Meteorological Observatory of the University of Nevada.  Beyond is the Washoe Range.

Even before reaching the summit we gain a fine view, through the trees, of Castle Peak, 9139 feet, while further north is Mt.  Lola, 9167 feet.  Close at hand is a glorious specimen of red fir, fully four and a half feet in diameter.  Below us to the west is a patch of vivid green, known as Antone Meadows.  It was named after a Switzer who lived there years ago and whose children now own it.  Not far away is Round Meadow, locally known as Bear-Trap Meadow, for one may still find there an old bear-trap that hunters were wont to use thirty or forty years ago.  In this meadow is the cabin of the Forest Ranger, which we shall see on the return trip.