With a depth of 420 ft and a floor space of almost ten sq. miles, Waldo Lake is the second largest pure alpine lake in Oregon after Crater Lake. Classified as non-alkali, Waldo Lake doesn’t assist plant development because of a scarcity of inlets that deliver vitamins to assist vegetation. This means the water is extremely clear—indicators say you’ll be able to see a median depth of 100-feet, an expertise that’s each breathtaking and considerably disconcerting. Motorized boats are not permitted on Waldo Lake and the DNR has not stocked the waters with fish for a number of years (this isn’t the place for sport fishing, however canoeing, kayaking, swimming, scuba diving, and paddleboarding are spectacular and value planning a street journey round).
Tip: Check out Globo Surf for extra recreation concepts.
Clear Waters of Waldo Lake
Families seeking to camp close to the shores of Waldo Lake have 5 completely different choices (six in case you embrace the close by Harralson Horsecamp). I not too long ago made a reservation on the Islet Campground on the North facet of the lake. Securing a web site close to the water, the youngsters braved the chilly (however manageable) shallows whereas I monitored their enjoyable from one of many many benches alongside the Shore Line Trail.
View of Waldo Lake from the Islet Campground
Now the dangerous information.
Finding a last-minute, prime tenting reservation throughout the center of a worldwide pandemic ought to have been the primary clue Waldo Lake is perhaps a bit “too good to be true.” Upon asserting my luck on social media, fiends of mine provided bug tents, mosquito face nets, and urged pre-DEETing previous to our arrival. True to my Midwest upbringing, and above accepting assist, I falsely assumed our Minnesota mosquito tolerance ready us for the worst Oregon needed to supply.
I used to be improper.
We’re lichen nature. Except the mosquitos.
We lasted eight hours earlier than tearing down camp in record-time and heading again to the Willamette Valley. In our protection, our campground neighbors had the identical tolerance for being eaten alive whereas standing in a cloud of campfire smoke whereas carrying a citronella candle to the outhouse. We additionally skilled a scarcity of accessible contemporary water from the campground filling stations (the water from the lake is reputed to be pure sufficient to drink, however I might nonetheless deliver filters and/or iodine tablets); the ultimate straw in our choice to desert camp.
Waldo Lake earlier than mosquito hell at sundown.
Having beforehand visited Waldo Lake in August, it’s value noting the area is extra manageable throughout the begin of forest hearth season (and/or the cooler spring and fall). Many of us come throughout this time to experience the IMBA EPIC mountain bike path. If you go, think about mosquito repellent and/or different precautions and be ready to take pleasure in one of the crucial pristine and pure pure experiences within the state of Oregon.
Happy Trails, till we meet once more!