One of the area's premier singletracks. Although this trail has no long uphill grinds or downhill bombs, It's still a real workout and a fun and challenging ride. The east side ambles through pine forests on a mostly smooth, rollercoaster singletrack. There are plenty of root and rock jumps if that's your thing, and there are some short but fast sections.
Everything changes on the west side. This section is chock full of steep, technical uphill pitches that are just as wild on the downhill side. Here the trail hugs the lakeshore more closely than the rest of the trail, and there are some great places to stop including one backcountry shelter, and a primitive campground as well as a number of beaches.
Be prepared for bugs in spring and summer, and changing weather at any time of the year. Most people do this ride in 4-5 hrs. but allow plenty of time for unexpected delays--there are no roads, etc. anywhere near the entire west shore/north shore section. It is very remote. Also, avoid any trails adjacent to these sections as they are all on wilderness land and wheeled vehicles are expressly prohibited.
Beautiful loop with some poor signage at intersections. The west side has some steep, short climbs with lots of exposed roots, requiring dismounts.
| ThankI rode this trail in early September (probably the best time of the year) it was pretty dusty but there were no mosquitoes! I started at Shadow Bay campground and proceeded clockwise around the lake. There are some gnarly climbs once you're around the southern tip of the lake, but other than that it's pretty much a roller coaster! My favorite sections were Shadow Bay to the winter shelter, the scree slope area, the burn, and the final downhill getting back to Shadow Bay. I'd say a 5 inch trail bike would be your best bet. I saw a ton of 29'er hard-tails, but I feel you need some decent squish to rip the root-riddled downhills. I made it around the lake in 3 hours flat. I intended to stop more and take in the sights, but the trail was so good I couldn't stop! I have been to Waldo right after a rain and it makes this trail absolutely unbelievable. Don't bother going in the spring or summer. There is so much snow and downed trees in the spring it's unrideable and the mosquitoes in the summer make it unbearable.
| ThankI rode this trail last September. It took us 5.5 hours due to the wet, cold conditions and the stops we made to eat and enjoy the scenery. We started at the North Waldo C.G. and traveled south (clockwise from above). This section was a lark and a blast. Lots of little jumps and boulders; lots of short, fast descents. Once we rounded the bend at the southern tip of the lake, the real workout began. Up and down over steep, rocky terrain for miles. The last section traverses an old forest fire and is more of a rollercoast than any other section. Next time, I'm riding when it's warmer (bedamned the mosquitos) and going through the burn first and counterclockwise around the lake. That leaves the easiest section for last.
| Thank