Waldo Lake Wilderness
{{short description|Protected wilderness area in the U.S. state of Oregon}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Waldo Lake Wilderness
| iucn_category = Ib
| photo = Waldo Lake.jpg
| photo_caption =
| location = Lane County, Oregon, United States
| nearest_city = Oakridge, Oregon
| map_image = Waldo Lake map.gif
| map_width = 300px
| map_caption = Map of Waldo Lake and surroundings
| coordinates = {{coord|43|47|52.78|N|122|4|27.34|W|display=inline, title}}
| area = {{convert|37162|acre}}
| established = 1984
| governing_body = United States Forest Service
}}
Waldo Lake Wilderness is a wilderness area surrounding Waldo Lake in the central Oregon Cascades. Located within the Willamette National Forest, it was established in 1984 and consists of {{convert|37162|acre}}.
Geography
Ninety-eight percent of the Waldo Lake Wilderness is covered by forest on moderate to steep terrain, which ranges in elevation from {{convert|2800|to|7144|ft}}.[http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recreation/recarea/?recid=4482 Willamette National Forest - Waldo Lake Wilderness]
Waldo Lake itself is outside the wilderness boundary, but it is considered one of the purest lakes in the world: vertical visibility can exceed {{convert|100|ft}} on a clear day. It was scooped out by ancient glaciers, and is Oregon's second largest lake at {{convert|10|sqmi|km2}} with a maximum depth of {{convert|420|ft}}. Within the wilderness are the Six Lakes Basin, Eddeeleo Lakes, Wahanna Lakes, and Quinn Lakes. There are approximately {{convert|84|mi|km}} of trails which lead to many of these lakes. Waldo Lake Trail, much of which is not in the wilderness boundary, provides a {{convert|22|mi|km|adj=on}} loop around Waldo Lake. Vegetation in the Waldo Lake Wilderness consists mostly of Douglas-fir, mountain hemlock, and Pacific silver fir.
Recreational activities
Primary activities in the Waldo Lake Wilderness are hiking, camping, fishing, and boating. Gasoline-powered motor boats on the lake have been banned since 2012 after nearly twelve years of public comment, deliberations, and decision making.{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonwild.org/waters/waldo-lake|title=Waldo Lake - Gem of the Cascades | publisher=Oregon Wild | access-date=July 14, 2020}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-willamette-national-forest-hiking-sidwcmdev_069288.html GORP - Waldo Lake Wilderness, Oregon]
- [http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/recreation/tripplanning/trails/northwaldo/index.html Willamette National Forest - North Waldo Trail Area]
- [http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/recreation/tripplanning/trails/southwaldo/index.html Willamette National Forest - South Waldo Trail Area]
{{Protected areas of Oregon}}
Category:Protected areas of Lane County, Oregon
Category:Wilderness areas of Oregon
Category:Willamette National Forest