Hiking The McKenzie River Trail To Tamolitch Blue Pool In Oregon Is Like Entering A Fairytale
By Catherine Armstrong|Published June 04, 2020
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Catherine Armstrong
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Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Oregon’s hiking trails all offer their own diverse beauty, and if you’re looking for some fresh air and exercise, you can’t go wrong with any of them. For a truly special experience, take the McKenzie River Trail to Tamolitch Blue Pool. The waterfall and its blue pool are like something from a fairytale.
The McKenzie River Trail stretches through the Willamette National Forest for 27 miles, offering shady surroundings, waterfalls, and scenic beauty all along the way. You don't need to take the entire trail to visit Tamolitch Blue Pool, but you'll start at the trailhead.
Don't be in a rush to get to the pool - enjoy the scenery along the way! Verdant ferns cover the floor of this old-growth forest, and the towering alders and evergreens provide a shady canopy above.
This trail is suitable for almost every hiker. It can be quite busy on weekends, so try to plan your hike for an early morning weekday to enjoy a bit more solitude.
Before you know it, you'll be overlooking Tamolitch Blue Pool, and it certainly looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. The waterfall is often dry during summer months, but if you're visiting in the winter or spring, you'll see the water flowing freely.
The turquoise water is absolutely stunning, and it's very, very cold. The McKenzie River goes underground about three miles upstream, and it surfaces right through the lava rock here to create the pool, which averages just 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
When you visit this special place, please practice Leave No Trace principles. Stay on the trail to protect the vegetation, and don't leave trash on the ground. Let's keep this spot beautiful for generations to come!
Have you hiked to Tamolitch Blue Pool? Tell our readers about your experience in the comments!
For more information, visit the Willamette National Forest website.
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