Salmon Lakes Trail #3585

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · Swimming · Wildflowers

This trail starts at the Salmon Lakes-Waldo Mountain Trailhead and leads to the western shore of Waldo Lake. The trail follows a very mellow grade with no steep ups or downs, and provides easy access to the Upper and Lower Lakes, as well as the west side of Waldo Lake.

Shortly after leaving the trailhead, you reach a junction where the Salmon Lakes Trail #3585 continues on ahead while the Waldo Mountain Trail #3592 bears left (north) and uphill. Stay straight to continue on the Salmon Lakes Trail as it rambles along for about two miles and gains roughly 500 feet before reaching the western edge of Waldo Meadows - which is full of wildflowers during the summer months.

In the meadows, about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, you'll pass a junction with the Waldo Meadows Trail #3591. Going right (south) here takes you toward the Salmon Lakes, while going left (north) would take you up to the Waldo Mountain Trail #3592. The #3585 continues straight, heading east through the meadows (where the path may be difficult to find at times) on gradual grades to, a junction with the Wahanna Trail #3583 about four miles from the trailhead. The #3585 turns south here, crosses a divide, passes Elbow Lake, and ends at its junction with the Jim Weaver Loop Trail (Waldo Lake Trail) #3590.

Be prepared for mosquitoes in the early summer. The trail surface is smooth dirt or duff, with few rocks or roots. The trail may be a little hard to follow through Waldo Meadows during the summer because of all the vegetation and wildflowers.

Expect generous quantities of mosquitos in early summer.