There's A Hidden Oasis Waiting For You At The End Of This Oregon Trail
By Catherine Armstrong|Published August 22, 2018
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
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.
When you need to find some solitude and reconnect with nature, Oregon’s hiking trails are just what you need. Here’s a beautiful trail that leads you to the most incredible hidden oasis. Check it out:
To reach this hidden oasis, you'll take the McKenzie River Trail in the Willamette National Forest. To find the trailhead, take the McKenzie Highway for about 14 miles east of the McKenzie Bridge, then cross the bridge near the Trailbridge Campground and watch for the trail signs.
Because parts of this trail are rocky and steep, it's considered moderately difficult. Make sure you have on adequate hiking shoes and bring along plenty of water. The trail is dog-friendly, and you'll also share it with mountain bikers.
While you'll share this popular trail with others on a busy Saturday afternoon, if you hike early in the morning, or on a weekday, you'll likely find a little more solitude and peace.
Tamolitch Falls can be beautiful, too, depending on the time of year. For much of the summer, the waterfall is diverted underneath the rocks and flows directly into the pool from below. It's a steep climb down to the pool, so watch your step.
The water in Tamolitch Pool is a frigid 38 degrees Fahrenheit. It's crystal-clear because no organisms can grow in water this cold. The pool looks like it's just a few feet deep, but it's actually more than 30 feet deep in spots.
While you might think that this is the perfect swimming hole, you're better off taking pictures and admiring its beauty from afar. The water is so cold that jumping in can cause your body to immediately go into shock, taking your breath away and causing painful muscle cramps and even heart failure. It can be extremely dangerous to swim here.
Though the pool is deep in spots, jumping from the surrounding cliffs can also be deadly. Over the years, people have been seriously injured and some have even died from hitting their heads on rocks. Enjoy the spectacular scenery from the banks of this pool.
Doesn’t this pool look enchanting? If you love places like this, you might want to join our Oregon Nature Lovers Group on Facebook, where you can see some gorgeous photos taken by local photographers, and even post your own to share.
