Sahalie/Koosah Falls loop
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Hike Details:
Mileage: 2.8 mile loop w/ 455 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 1 hours 15 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.25 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends, low on weekdays
General location: 19 miles east of McKenzie Bridge off of OR-126 - Willamette National Forest
Suggested seasons: Spring, summer, fall, early winter
(Best time to go is spring for epic waterfall flow, and mid-October for beautiful fall foliage).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs, mountain bikes (on the McKenzie River Trail side only)
Approximate hike time: 1 hours 15 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.25 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends, low on weekdays
General location: 19 miles east of McKenzie Bridge off of OR-126 - Willamette National Forest
Suggested seasons: Spring, summer, fall, early winter
(Best time to go is spring for epic waterfall flow, and mid-October for beautiful fall foliage).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs, mountain bikes (on the McKenzie River Trail side only)
(Koosah Falls 64 ft.)
Description:
The Waterfall Loop Trail is part of the 26 mile long McKenzie River trail. On this loop you can see Sahalie and Koosah Falls and avoid the crowds that only hang out at the waterfall viewing platforms. Most descriptions of this loop will have you start at the Sahalie Falls parking lot, however, because that is an extremely popular destination and the parking lot is almost always full, this description will have you start at the Koosah Falls parking area! Head quarter of a mile south on highway 126 and turn at the sign for Koosah Falls and park here. This parking lot is farther off the highway, so less people park here because it doesn't look like a road-side attraction.
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From the parking lot you will walk down to the Koosah Falls viewing platform and then you will continue upstream on the Waterfall Trail. Koosah Falls is 64 feet tall. Between Koosah and Sahalie Falls, there are some stunning views of the McKenzie River along the section of the trail, so keep your eyes open for viewpoints along the riverbank.
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(view up the McKenzie River)
(Waterfall Trail)
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(Sahalie Falls 73 ft.)
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After the Sahalie Falls viewpoint, most people head back to their cars, so the loop hike is not as busy as one might think. After hiking half a mile, you will come to a bridge. The trail you are on continues all the way to Clear Lake (1.5 miles) so if you would like to venture that way you can. (There is designated camping at Cold Water Springs Campground, if you are looking to camp).
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Once you cross the bridge you will be on the other side of the McKenzie River and now heading down stream. You are now on the McKenzie River Trail, which is a very popular mountain biking route that follows the river for 26.6 miles. Due to this being a heavily used
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mountain bike trail, the trail is very well maintained. This section is 1.3 miles and it is definitely the most beautiful part of the loop. Getting to see Sahalie and Koosah Falls from the other side of the river is really cool.
(Sahalie Falls)
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(Koosah Falls)
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When you get down to Carmen Reservoir, you will get off the McKenzie River Trail and head across the gravel parking area. You will have to cross a bridge to get to the other side of the river where you will find the Waterfall Trail again. There is a deceiving little trail that goes into the woods right before the bridge, but keep in mind you will want to be on the other side of the river to get back to your car. The trail does trend uphill a bit on the way back, but to get back to the Koosah Falls parking lot it is only another 0.9 miles.
Overall, this is the perfect hike for those who cannot do long treks, and for those with children who prefer not to hike more than 3 miles. Due to the hike being a loop, it does keep things interesting and there is a lot to see so kids won’t get bored as easily. This is also a great hike to do in the early winter because the elevation is low here and there is rarely snow. The trail is very well maintained and easy to walk on (you do not need special hiking boots for this hike, tennis shoes are totally fine).
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Directions:
From Eugene
- Drive OR-126 52.6 miles east to the town of McKenzie Bridge. 19 miles east of McKenzie Bridge, near milepost 5 turn into the clearly marked Sahalie Falls parking lot. This parking lot is usually full, so you can head south on Hwy. 126 to the Koosah Falls parking lot where you can also start the loop. (Total of 71.8 miles).
- Drive US-97 north towards Redmond, then merge onto US-20 west towards Sisters. 25.1 miles past Sisters keep left on US-20 for another 3.3 miles, then turn left on to OR-126 for 5.2 miles and turn right into the clearly marked Sahalie Falls parking lot. This parking lot is usually full, so you can head south on Hwy. 126 to the Koosah Falls parking lot where you can also start the loop. (Total of 57.6 miles).
- Drive OR-22 east towards Detroit for 80 miles. Turn right onto US-20 west and immediately turn left onto OR-126 east for 5.2 miles and turn right into the clearly marked Sahalie Falls parking lot. This parking lot is usually full, so you can head south on Hwy. 126 to the Koosah Falls parking lot where you can also start the loop. (Total of 91.9 miles).
- It is a total of 137 miles via Salem.
- It is a total of 235 miles via Eugene.
*All photos 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.