1.4 hr
Overview
For a dash of the Waldo Lake Wilderness and some secluded lakes just south of the wilderness, try this in-and-out hike on well-maintained trails. Waldo Lake is one of Oregon’s largest natural lakes and is also considered one of the purest lakes in the world. This is because few streams enter the lake to add nutrients that encourage plant growth. This hike takes you to old-growth montane woods, a historic shelter, bountiful huckleberry patches, and after passing several small lakes, two picturesque larger lakes just off the trail. Note that the Waldo Lake Trail and the trails south of the wilderness boundary are used and maintained by mountain bikers. Find the Waldo Shoreline Trail heading into a lichen-draped mountain hemlock woodland at the east end of the parking area. Blue diamonds on trees denote this is a cross-country ski route. Engelmann spruce, silver fir, noble fir, and western white pine also form the forest canopy here as you hike through huckleberry, grouseberry, and bear-grass. Cross a footbridge, and keep right at the Waldo Lake-Waldo Shoreline Trail Junction to join the Waldo Lake Trail #3590, additionally labeled as the Jim Weaver Loop Trail. Pass a wilderness kiosk, and drop to pass over a footbridge and cross a boggy seep of skunk-cabbage and wood fern. After a couple more footbridges, you’ll see a spur to the right that leads to a beach and views to a small forested island just offshore. A second spur a little later takes you to a campsite and a closer view of the island. The trail now veers away from the lakeshore to circle around a lush meadow at the lake’s southern end. Cross a footbridge, and note the large hemlocks and spruces. At a trail junction, go right to take a look at the South Waldo Shelter, with its shake roof, wood stove, picnic table, and sleeping platform. The shelter is maintained by Lewis & Clark College Outdoors. From the shelter, cross a footbridge over a creek, and arrive at the Waldo Lake-South Waldo Trail Junction. Make a left here, and fill out a form at the wilder
Trail Stats
0.0 km
405 m
0 m
0 m
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Photos
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400px-IslandLakesMap
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400px-Lower_Island_Lake%2C_South_Waldo_Trail