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Weekend Gem-Waldo Lake Loop

Posted by eriksoltan on Oct 27, 2016 in Trail Reports, Weekend Gem | No Comments

Islet Point!

Waldo Lake is the second deepest natural body of water in Oregon, next to Crater Lake. This high lake is 420 feet deep and covers 10 square miles, it has amazing clarity due to the fact that it has almost no plant life because of a lack of an inlet. When the light is right and the lake is still, you can see down 100 feet into it’s clear waters. Armed with this intriguing information, I set out for one last snow free trek of the season around the lake, a 25 mile excursion. Start out driving to Shadow Bay, located on the south end of the lake and begin the loop counterclockwise taking the Jim Weaver Loop TR. This direction allows you to get the only boring stretch of this loop out of the way first, so you can savor the goodness when you have properly acclimated to this wilderness setting. Pass by Shadow Lake and onwards through this second growth forest to RD 5897, where you make a left and head downhill to Islet Campground and boat launch. Connect up to the Shoreline TR here and make a right to continue the circuit. Now is a good time to access your energy level and the time to make a decision of the best camp for tonight. If you are still going strong, I recommend blasting past the car camping spots here on the and at North Waldo CG to a primitive camp just past them on the lake. If not, find your self a nice spot that suits your fancy and settle in.

Last light at Islet Point

The next day, continue on this relatively flat route along the lakeshore as it crosses the North Fork Middle Fork of the Willamette River on a bridge. The trail continues to hug the shore offering great views of the clear waters and south to Fuji Mtn. and Diamond Peak along a rocky cove above this impressive lake. Soon, the tread ducks back into the woods as it traverses away from the shore. The west side of this trail is really cool too, passing a few lakes, as it rambles along. If one is looking to get even more solitude, you could easily duck off the main trail to visit one of the off trail lakes that dot this wilderness. Along this side, I found tons of bear prints, so keep your eyes peeled for old Smoky. The trail soon meets back up to the lake’s shore at Klovdahl Bay, a large cove with views into the watery abyss or across to the Twins on the PCT high above. Take a second night and enjoy the southern shore of the lake, with good spots along the shore or at the S. Waldo Shelter. Now, usually I avoid shelters because they are usually wood rat central, but this one is awesome! It is clean, stocked up with wood and a stove and ready for some great fall camping action. A glossy shelf off the floor holds up to two sleeping campers easily and with the stove burning away, becomes quite cozy. Hike back to your car and relish in this experience, dreaming about next summer’s adventures and the magic that they bring!