Waldo Mountain Lookout

Waldo Mountain Lookout

  • Difficult
  • 7.9-mile loop
  • 2000 feet elevation gain
  • Open July through October
  • Use: hikers, horses


Waldo Mountain’s lookout building, staffed in peak fire season, features a view from Mt. Hood to Diamond Peak, with Waldo Lake a pool of melted silver at your feet. Visit the lookout on a loop hike that returns through Waldo Meadows, hip-deep in wildflowers. A short, optional side trip leads to Upper Salmon Lake and a small waterfall.

To find the trailhead, turn north …

Before heading home, however, consider taking an exploratory side trip to the Salmon Lakes. For this detour, …

Other Options

For a longer, 8.8-mile loop, descend …


This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Central Oregon Cascades.