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 : Central Oregon Cascades