Tamolitch Blue Pool - 3.6 mile out and back just past Clear Lake. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 1/2 hours to complete.  Elevation gain 285 ft.  This short portion of the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail takes you to the beautiful turquoise Tamolitch Pool, also known as Blue Pool.  The beginning of this easy hike is through an old-growth Douglas fir forest.  As the McKenzie River falls away, you walk along a cliff and descend into a dry river bed which eventually comes to an old lava flow.  The trail is not too strenuous but there is some elevation gain as can be seen on the tracks and footing can be tricky in a few places.  Be advised the trail passes one ledge with a steep drop-off to the river a short distance before Blue Pool.  At Blue Pool, you can scamper down the steep embankment and go for a chilly swim (water is 37 degrees year round).  This pool is actually where the McKenzie River emerges after submerging into a lava tube at the Carmen Reservoir, creating the Tamolitch Falls.  It's known as a "dry fall" because during especially wet rainy winters the river will flood over the lava bed and waterfall into the Tamolitch Pool.  

Koosah and Sahalie Falls - 2.9 mile loop trail  Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 1/4 hours to complete.  Elevation gain 360 ft.   These falls mark the terminus of 2 thick flows of basaltic andesite lava that damned Clear Lake and moved into the McKenzie River 3,000 years ago.  The results are 2 breathtaking waterfalls with foaming white water cascades in between.

Meet at Holy Trinity Catholic Church parking lot at 8 am. Drive time to the pool is 1 1/2 hours from the church. Brigitte Bourret will be leading these 2 hikes. 

Plan to bring water, snacks and lunch for a full day.  There are bathrooms at the pool parking lot.  There are also benches and bathrooms at the Falls.  Wear proper hiking shoes.  Should not need poles.  We'll plan to have snacks at the pool and then we'll drive over to the Falls parking area.  We can eat lunch at the Falls.  We can stop in Sisters for ice cream afterwards.  Bring cash for driver of carpool.

The Drive back will be 1 1/2 hours.  Plan on being gone for 6-8 hours.

We are testing a new way to register for Hiking Activities. Click on the link below to rsvp and complete your waiver and emergency contact information. 

Waiver - release of liability.pdf