Oregon · Hiking · Waldo Lake Wilderness

Waldo Meadows

15.3 mi
round trip
3,933 ft
climb
5,749 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Waldo Meadows open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Waldo Meadows, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Willamette National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Waldo Meadows is a hard hike in Oregon's Waldo Lake Wilderness, part of the Middle Fork Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back of about 15 miles, with a total elevation gain of roughly 3,900 feet. The route starts at about 5,100 feet and climbs to a high point of 5,749 feet, with the steepest stretch around 5.8 miles in at a grade of about 31 percent. The trail is on natural surface and allows horses. Bikes are not permitted. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Odell Lake, which sits about 950 feet lower, show July and August highs in the low 70s with only about three wet days a month. Winter brings highs in the mid-30s and regular snow days. The trip takes about seven hours. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. Swan Lake and Gander Lake are both within a mile. North Waldo campground and the Lost Art climbing area are about 5.6 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Waldo Meadows

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      35° / 20°

      14 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      38° / 21°

      13 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 24°

      14 wet · 8 snow

    4. Apr

      46° / 28°

      11 wet · 4 snow

    5. May

      55° / 34°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      63° / 38°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      73° / 44°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 42°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 36°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 30°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      41° / 26°

      14 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      34° / 20°

      15 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Odell Lake-East, OR, 18.2 mi away at 4,800 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Waldo Mountain Trail #3592Photo: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Waldo Mountain Trail #3592

~3 min drive

2.22-mile out-and-back trail at Waldo Mountain with 758 ft gain.

Salmon LakesPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Salmon Lakes

~5 min drive

2.61-mile out-and-back trail to Salmon Lakes in Oregon with 423 ft gain.

Jim Weaver Loop(waldo Lake)Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Jim Weaver Loop(waldo Lake)

~9 min drive

19.81-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 7,223 ft elevation gain/loss.

Cupit Mary Meadow Trail #3560Photo: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Cupit Mary Meadow Trail #3560

~8 min drive

3.1-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,311 ft elevation gain and loss.

Koch Mountain Trail #3576Photo: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Koch Mountain Trail #3576

~8 min drive

3.52-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 664 ft elevation gain.

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Winchester Ridge

~3 min drive

10-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,543 ft gain.

Rigdon LakesPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rigdon Lakes

~7 min drive

4.16-mile out-and-back trail to Rigdon Lakes in Oregon with 455 ft gain.

KOCH MOUNTAINPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

KOCH MOUNTAIN

~8 min drive

2.12-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 684 ft elevation gain and loss.

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Blair Lake

~4 min drive

6.80-mile out-and-back trail to Blair Lake in Oregon with 1,412 ft gain.

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GANDER LAKE

~2 min drive

1.42-mile out-and-back trail with 1,235 ft gain and 4,881 ft max elevation