Oregon · Hiking

Waldo Ridge

2.8 mi
round trip
688 ft
climb
5,737 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Waldo Ridge open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Waldo Ridge, 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 Ridge is an easy out-and-back hike in the Middle Fork Ranger District of Oregon's Willamette National Forest, about 2.8 miles long with a total elevation gain of 688 feet. The trail starts at roughly 5,339 feet and reaches a high point of 5,737 feet, and the climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.5 miles in, where the grade reaches 24 percent. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced and open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Odell Lake, which sits about 900 feet lower, show July and August highs in the low 70s with only three or four wet days a month. Winter brings highs in the mid-30s and regular snow days from December through February. The trail is horse-friendly, and bikes are not allowed. The trip takes about 1.5 hours. Waldo Mountain and the Salmon Lakes Trail #3585 both lie about 0.7 miles away. Blair Lake Campground is about 6 miles off, and the Lost Art Area climbing area is about 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 Ridge

    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, 18.6 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

~6 min drive

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

HIKE

Salmon Lakes Trail #3585

~1 min drive

5.18-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 2,058 ft elevation gain.

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.

HIKE

Waldo Meadows

~3 min drive

15.29-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,993 ft elevation gain

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

Rigdon Lakes

~10 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.

HIKE

Winchester Ridge

~5 min drive

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

HIKE

GANDER LAKE

~2 min drive

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