Trip Report

Seven kayaks and a canoe took part in this year’s Waldo Lake flotilla, with nine paddlers propelling them through three days of the most placid water I’ve ever seen on the lake. Anticipating crowds of COVID refugees, finding a campsite to accommodate a large group was a big concern this year. However, as luck would have it, our first choice of unimproved sites was available in a lovely cove with a lengthy sand beach near Rhododendron Island. The weather was in our favor, as in daytime highs in the eighties and nighttime lows around fifty degrees Fahrenheit, a comfortable range for The high Cascades in September.
After establishing camp, parties dispersed to paddle or hike, always observing safety practices such as not going alone. Huckleberries were ripe and were incorporated into several breakfasts. Instead of moving camp as in years past, we chose to remain another night at our site. Coasting the shoreline, it was evident that most of the best and largest campsites on the western shore were occupied.
Day two was another chance to hike, paddle, swim or just hang out in a hammock (as some did). Those wanting to hike to Waldo Mountain endured an hour paddle to find the trail head near Elbow Lake, a thousand feet of elevation in 80 degree heat, and a paddle back to camp.
The final day, we had breakfast, packed boats and coasted south to Klovdahl Bay and the historic dam and headgate built around 1914 as an irrigation and power producing enterprise to serve the population downstream. To our good fortune, the project failed, saving the pristine gem of a lake for future paddling adventures.
Waves of kayakers, canoeists and paddle boarders were putting in at Shadow Bay as we took out. Thanks to all who made this trip enjoyable and everyone through the years that have worked to keep Waldo a motor-less paradise.