WET + WILD WEDNESDAY - Tamolitch Falls / Blue Pool
WET + WILD WEDNESDAY
WELCOME TO WET + WILD WEDNESDAY
Tamolitch Falls / Blue Pool
Okay so yes, the term Wet + Wild usually has an entirely different meaning...here at DRAEKK we aim to change that meaning. Join us for our Wednesday blogs where we'll show you where you can get outdoors, near water (or even in it) and get some well-deserved exercise.
Ever find yourself looking at other people’s social media, or professional photos of these awe-inspired places, places that you think must be photoshopped... Well join us each Wednesday where we'll show you were these little gems are hidden, some may even be right in your own backyard! But here’s the catch...you have to go walk, run, hike, even bike to get there. The best part...you have to go outside!
Imagine you are running down the trail (or walking) and you come across a turn and this is what you see . .
Tamolitch Falls / Blue Pool
The word BLUE just doesn't do this magical pool justice. BLUE can't begin to tell the story of this breathtaking, translucent water, with a rather constant temperature of 37 degrees.
The Tamolitch Falls (or most of the year known as the Blue Pool) is an odd phenomenon. This is the last of a grouping of three falls on the McKenzie River. All three falls were formed during lava flow (the 1st two falls were formed 3000 years ago and the last was 1500 years ago. The first fall Sahalie Falls stands at 120ft.
Sahalie Falls
The second fall Koosah Fall actually looks more profound even at a shorter 90ft tall.
Koosah Falls
And last but obviously not least, Tamolitch Falls, aka Blue Pool, only has a water fall during high rain season (or after a good snow melt in the late spring / early summer). The McKenzie River goes underground for three miles after the 2nd fall before emerging from the volcanic rock here at the Tamolitch Falls. The water here gets it's translucent topaz color because it has been filtered through that volcanic rock.
Follow the trail over the rocks above the Tamolitch Falls to a rather steep dirt trail down to the base of the pool. Word to the wise...BE CAREFUL!!! These waters are as cold as they are beautiful.
Now we show you the pictures, tease you with the beauty of this place, but how do you get here?
The world famous McKenzie River Trail is located in Oregon just over an hour from Eugene. Once you make it to the town of McKenzie River continue on OR-126 E for 13 miles and turn left at Trailbridge Campground (NF-730). The Tamolitch Falls trailhead will be to your right after you cross the river. This is a roundtrip easy 4 mile hike.
A more difficult 8ish mile hike starts at the Sahalie Falls. The entrance to Sahalie Falls is right off the OR-126, just feet from the roadside parking lot. It will be roughly 4 miles to the pool, where the river disappears underground before coming out at the Blue Pool again.
Okay, if you do decide to get out there and hike, bike, run, walk...you have to stop at some of these other lovely establishments along the way.
Takoda's Restaurant http://www.takodasrainbow.com/
OMGosh can you say amazing food and such a cute country store. A place sure to impress, especially after a long day of hiking.
Belknap Hot Springs http://www.belknaphotsprings.com/
By far the most unique lodging in this area...natural hot springs pumped into a beautiful pool right at the edge of the fast flowing McKenzie River.