Blue Pool/Tamolitch Pool
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Hike Details:
Mileage: 4.25 miles out and back w/ 375 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 1 hours 25 minutes w/ an average pace of 3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends, medium to low on weekdays depending on the season
General location: 14 miles east of McKenzie Bridge - Willamette National Forest
Suggested seasons: Spring, summer, fall, winter
(Best time to go is spring if you want to see the waterfall, fall if you like less crowds and fall foliage).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs
Approximate hike time: 1 hours 25 minutes w/ an average pace of 3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends, medium to low on weekdays depending on the season
General location: 14 miles east of McKenzie Bridge - Willamette National Forest
Suggested seasons: Spring, summer, fall, winter
(Best time to go is spring if you want to see the waterfall, fall if you like less crowds and fall foliage).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs
(Blue Pool in June with seasonal waterfall)
Description:
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Blue Pool is a very accessible trail between Eugene and Bend, where folks can hike a 4.2 mile out and back section of the McKenzie River Trail to a beautiful spot where the McKenzie River comes out of the ground and forms what is called Blue Pool (aka Tamolitch Pool).
The McKenzie River Trail is a 26 mile long trail that runs along the McKenzie River, and is a very popular trail for hiking and mountain biking. There are various different sections of the 26 miles trail that you can hike if you are not up to doing the entire trail. Blue Pool is a spot where the river comes back up to the surface, after being underground for two miles. This creates a glass-like pool of extremely cold blue-green water. The trailhead is generally packed with cars, since this is one of the most popular hikes in all of Oregon. You do not need to pay or have a parking pass to park or hike there. (If you are hiking on the weekend and want to beat the crowds, come before 9am). |
(view of the McKenzie River from the trail above)
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The trail starts off in dense woods, and you hike along the river for a bit. The trail is well maintained especially in the beginning, but you do have to watch your step because the roots can get slippery in rainy and icy conditions.
About 1 mile into the hike, the trail gets a bit steeper, and it starts climbing above the river. Here you get some stunning views of the McKenzie River from above. As the trail gets steeper, it changes from a sometimes muddy path with roots, to more of a dusty trail with many jagged lava rocks. Watch your step here. 
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2.1 miles from the trailhead, after not seeing the river for a while, you see the most amazing blue pool. There are multiple ways to get down to the water's edge where you can sit and put your feet into the water to cool off on a hot summer day. HOWEVER even though the water looks very inviting, especially after hiking on a hot day, once you touch it, you will realize why not very many people are swimming in it. The water is glacier cold, at a mere 38-40 degrees year round! (Please do NOT jump into the water from the cliff. A few people die doing this every year, and it is extremely dangerous!)
(stunning view of Tamolitch/Blue Pool)
Even though Blue Pool is extremely busy, it is one of the top 3 hikes in Oregon for good reason. If you can, try to come back every season. During the spring everything is extremely lush and green and the pool is very blue. There is generally a waterfall that flows from March through June (some years even longer). During the summer, the pool is pretty still and very turquoise in color. During the fall the vine maples around the pool are yellow, orange and red creating a stunning contrast to the blue pool. And in the winter there is snow usually between December and February. The snow seems to zap the color from the pool, making it look almost black.
(Blue Pool from the bottom)
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(Blue Pool in December)
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Overall, this trail is doable for all age ranges and athletic levels. It is one of the most popular hikes in Oregon, and the Blue Pool is definitely worth seeing during all seasons! On weekends, especially in the summer and early fall, the trail is full of people hiking, so go early if you can or on a weekday.
Directions:
From Bend
- Drive on US-97 north and take exit 135A to merge onto US-20 west towards Sisters for 20 miles. In the town of Sisters at the roundabout take the 2nd exit and stay on US-20 west for another 25.1 miles. Keep left to stay on US-20 W for 3.3 miles, then turn onto OR-126 E for 10.8 miles. Turn right at a sign for Trailbridge Campground/Blue Pool. You will cross a bridge and quickly turn right onto gravel road NF-730. After about a third of a mile park along the right side of the road. (Total of 62.8 miles)
- Take OR-126 east for 6.8 miles, at a traffic light use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto OR-126 E/Main St. and continue on OR-126 for 57.7 miles then turn left at a sign for Trailbridge Campground/Blue Pool. You will cross a bridge and quickly turn right onto gravel road NF-730. After about a third of a mile park along the right side of the road. (Total of 66.8 miles)
- Take OR-22 east toward Detroit Lake/Bend for 80 miles, then turn right onto US-20 W for 3.1 miles. Turn right onto OR-126 E for another 10.8 miles Turn right at a sign for Trailbridge Campground/Blue Pool. You will cross a bridge and quickly turn right onto gravel road NF-730. After about a third of a mile park along the right side of the road. (Total of 97.9 miles)
- Drive I-5 south towards Salem for 45.3 miles, then take exit 253 for OR-22 east toward Detroit Lake/Bend. Drive on OR-22 for 80 miles, then turn right onto US-20 W for 3.1 miles. Turn right onto OR-126 E for another 10.8 miles Turn right at a sign for Trailbridge Campground/Blue Pool. You will cross a bridge and quickly turn right onto gravel road NF-730. After about a third of a mile park along the right side of the road. (Total of 141 miles)
- Drive I-5 north 163 miles to Eugene, then take exit 194A to merge onto OR-126 E toward Springfield. Drive 6.8 miles and at a traffic light use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto OR-126 E/Main St. and continue on OR-126 for 57.7 miles then turn left at a sign for Trailbridge Campground/Blue Pool. You will cross a bridge and quickly turn right onto gravel road NF-730. After about a third of a mile park along the right side of the road. (Total of 230 miles)
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To get a more in-depth and personal view of this hike, watch the YouTube video.
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*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: the trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.
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