41. South Waldo

Summary

Length – 3 ¼ miles one way

Difficulty – Easy to moderate

Season – Summer to early autumn

Elevation range –5,440 feet – 6,050 feet

Human imprint – Moderate (high recreational use along lake)

Information - Willamette National Forest, Middle Fork Ranger District

Primary old growth features

Outstanding mountain hemlock old growth; a few large Engelmann spruce.

Description

The South Waldo hike combines spectacular lakeshore scenery with some of the finest mountain hemlock old growth in the Oregon Cascades. The recent Cedar Creek Fire (2022) is visible across the lake in numerous spots, and can be experienced directly from the trail at the end of the hike. Areas along the lakeshore receive heavy use from hikers and mountain bikers, especially on summer weekends. The hike is now described as an out-and-back experience rather than a loop past Bingo Lake and Black Meadows. Impacts from the fire make the trail difficult to follow and potentially unsafe.

Head east on the Shoreline Trail and curve around the bay shortly joining the Jim Weaver Loop Trail (3590, formerly known as the Waldo Lake Trail). The trail is in beautiful high-elevation forest pretty much from the beginning to the end, featuring large mountain hemlocks accompanied by Pacific silver fir. A few large Engelmann spruce mix in as the trail nears the southern end of Waldo Lake.

The well-used and maintained South Waldo Shelter sits to the right approximately 1 ½ miles from the trailhead. Groups of Engelmann spruce dot the scenic meadows throughout the South Waldo area. These meadows are shrinking over time as conifers continue to invade and expand in the meadows.

A trail junction just past the shelter offers two options. The easiest option is to stay right on the Jim Weaver Loop Trail. Continue northwest through old forest for ¼ mile or so until reaching a beachy area with views across the lake to the Three Sisters. The edge of the fire is near here and the resulting mortality patterns are quite striking. Continue a short way on the trail and enter the burned area, where it becomes clear that most trees died from root and root collar damage. Return the way you came.

A second option from the trail junction is to continue southwest on the South Waldo Trail (3586) aiming for a gap between Fuji Mountain and Mount Ray. This less frequently used and maintained trail enters the Waldo Lake Wilderness and begins a moderate climb towards the divide. Huge hemlocks 3'-4' thick border the trail and reach their peak at the saddle, where a noteworthy two-stemmed hemlock approximates six feet in girth. The saddle marks a convenient turnaround point, as does a cute little trailside lake just downhill to the southwest about a quarter mile from the divide.

25 years of change

Mountain hemlock still outstanding, with more large snags. Meadow around the shelter has grown in significantly. However, the loop hike is no longer recommended due to impacts from the Cedar Creek Fire. Patches of old mountain hemlock along the High Divide Trail were killed by the fire.

How to get there

Turn left (north) onto the Waldo Lake Road (FR 5897) off of Highway 58, approximately 22 miles southeast of Oakridge. Turn left onto FR 5896 towards Shadow Bay Campground, 6 ½ miles from Highway 58. Veer left towards the boat ramp at the campground junction 1 ½ miles later, and park in the boat ramp parking lot. A National Forest Recreation Pass ($5) is required for the parking area.