Trail difficulty
Blue
Elevation Gain
900.00 ft (274.32 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
7.40 mi (11.91 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Gold Lake Trail starts at Gold Lake Campground near the Willamette Pass. It climbs inexorably out of a lush, dense old-growth forest of fir and cedar into the drier sub-alpine stands of pine. This mostly straight trail offers a moderate technical and physical challenge on the way up and the reward of a blazing fast downhill back to the trailhead. There is road access at either end of the trail as well as in the middle, opening up the possibility for shuttled and abbreviated riding options. Although not as buggy as the trails nearer to the southern end of Waldo Lake, there are still mosquitos here until late August. Be sure to bring bug spray if you come earlier in the season.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Old-growth forest. Fast downhill.

Cons

No views. Mosquitos.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Trailhead Elevation

4,900.00 ft (1,493.52 m)

Features

Bird watching
Wildlife
Old-growth forest
Wildflowers

Suitable for

Hiking
Horseback

Location

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