Past Activity

Canceled: Rigdon Lakes

Start date: 09/10/2017
Start time: 12:00 AM
End date: 09/10/2017
End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Waldo Wilderness is lovely in the Fall. This hike starts out along the north shore of Waldo Lake then loops through the Taylor burn area to Upper Ridgon Lake, Lower Ridgon lake and Lake Kiwa. The fall colors are beautiful. The trail then returns to Waldo shore where we will have lunch at lake side and return along the shore path.

Event Leader: Daphne James
Event Leader Phone: 541-683-7488
Event Leader Email: daphleej@yahoo.com
Assistant Leader:
Event category: Trips
Area Type: Mountain
Departure Location: South Eugene High School, 19th & Patterson
Rating: Moderate
Roundtrip total drive miles: 156
Season: 2017
Permits Required:
- Wilderness Area
- NW Forest Pass
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required:
participant prerequisites:
Conditions:
Total Distance: 8
Member Fees: 1
Elevation Gain: 200
Non-Member Fees: 5
Committee: Trips
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

With wild fires raging throughout our state and smoke coming and going into the Willamette Valley, we were delighted to have what turned out to be a splendidly clear and sunny day for our Waldo Wilderness hike.
The Waldo Lake/Rigdon Lakes loop is a study in contrast; alternating from the lush forest of the north Waldo shore to the more stark, but equally beautiful shorelines of the Rigdons. Situated in the heart of the Taylor Burn, Upper and Lower Rigdons and Lake Kiwi are vividly blue and offer striking views of the surrounding rock formations. We took full advantage of the lovely day with a brake at Upper Rigdon for huckleberries and taking in the sight of massive Rigdon Butte towering above. We then headed back to the Waldo shore for a swim and lunch.
Although the burn area is covered in colorful vegetation and a sprinkling of five to fifteen foot trees that have grown back since the 1998 fire, this area is pretty exposed and best hiked on a cooler late summer or fall day.