Blair Lake Trail #3553

Blair Lake Trail #3553 is a long-distance hiking route in the Willamette National Forest/Waldo Lake Wilderness area. It begins at Blair Lake, follows a meadow around the north end of Blair Lake, then gradually climbs out of the basin before turning more consistently uphill across rolling country.

The early tread works through prairie and meadow terrain before the route starts gaining elevation toward Spring Prairie, including passage toward Beal Prairie and Spring Prairie Shelter. Expect a mix of meadow walking and forested transition as the trail builds toward the higher Waldo Lake Wilderness area.

After leaving the road segment near Forest Road 733, the trail trends through rolling ground and then shifts into a ridge line that eventually drops through switchbacks off the ridge. It then climbs again toward the junction with Fisher Creek Trail #3565.

From there, the route runs along a side slope with several moderately steep grades. It passes Winchester Trail #3594, then reaches a rocky rim area where you can see north, continuing toward crossings and outlets that involve the Lower Quinn Lake outlet and areas past Six Lakes, Moolack Lake, and Shale Ridge Trail #3567.

At Shale Ridge, the trail drops steeply into the North Fork drainage, typically with a nearby log crossing off to the right. After crossing, it climbs steeply back out of the drainage, then follows an old road grade toward Taylor Burn.

This is a moderate-difficulty route that ties into multiple intersections and wilderness areas, with connections that include Mule Mountain Trail and Six Lakes Trail. The mapped length is about 19.73 km (about 12.3 mi), and the trail uses intermediate visibility for navigation through its more remote sections.

If you’re planning for logistics, wilderness permits are required for both day use and overnight stays from June 15 through October 15; the permits are free and self-issued at the trailhead. Water sources are natural and should be treated. The trailhead access uses Forest Road 741 from the Oakridge approach (about 18 miles from Oakridge).

More information: Visitor information, Visitor information, Spring Prairie Shelter - Campground Details - Campflare