22. Tamolitch Pool (Blue Pool)

Summary

Note: Major changes are coming to this hike. A new trailhead and trail are being built on the east side of the river that will provide the primary access to Tamolitch Pool. Also, the portion of the McKenzie River Trail through beautiful riverside old growth will be relocated away from the river and this entire trail segment will no longer be readily accessible. The long-used trailhead described below will be closed when the new facilities are complete and open.

Length – 2.1 miles to Blue Pool; 5.5 miles to Carmen Reservoir one way

Difficulty – Easy to moderate

Season – Spring to autumn

Elevation range –2,225 feet – 2,760 feet

Human imprint – Very high to Blue Pool; moderate above (hikers; mountain bikers)

Information - Willamette National Forest, McKenzie River Ranger District

Primary old growth features

Riparian old growth; unique grove of immense incense cedar

Description

Riverside old growth and impressive incense-cedar border the dual phases of the McKenzie River along this segment of the McKenzie River Trail. From the lower trailhead to Blue Pool the sparkling river tumbles rapidly in a whitewater frenzy; above Blue Pool the river disappears belowground most of the year from Carmen Reservoir down to Blue Pool. This phenomenon is due in part to the natural tendency of the river to take a subterranean detour in the lava flow filling the valley above the falls, and due in part to an incredible dewatering of the river engineered by the Eugene Water and Electric Board. A well-timed spring visit may provide a rewarding view of the river splashing over Tamolitch Falls into Blue Pool.

The lower trail segment up to Blue Pool is very heavily used and open to hikers only. I recommend a mid-week visit. From the large trailhead off Forest Road 655 above Trail Bridge Reservoir, head north on the McKenzie River Trail (3507) and soon descend to the banks of the river among attractive old western redcedar and Douglas-fir. After a mile or so the trail climbs slightly onto an old lava flow where smaller old trees grow scattered across the lava. Viewpoints of Blue Pool and normally dry Tamolitch Falls are reached 2.1 miles from the trailhead, near lava casts of toasted trees. Most visitors turn around here, though the most interesting old forest lies above Blue Pool.

Above Blue Pool the trail soon passes through an unusual stand of old growth featuring giant incense-cedar, old Douglas-fir, and scattered large grand fir. Incense-cedar growing along the margin of an old lava flow are unusually large for this area (4 to 8 feet diameter), and likely the largest incense-cedar in the Willamette National Forest. The next couple of miles follow the river in mixed older forest until reaching Carmen Reservoir, a potential drop-off or starting point for a one-way, shuttle hike.

25 years of change

This hike has become super popular from the lower trailhead to Blue Pool; the trail has been widened and hardened, and a bypass mountain-bike trail built. The upper two miles of forest has become noticeably more ‘old growthy’ as mature trees grew larger and the canopy diversified.

How to get there

Travel the McKenzie Highway (State Route 126) to just north of the Trail Bridge Reservoir (approximately 68 miles northeast of Eugene), and turn left (west) onto Forest Road 730. Cross the McKenzie River and turn right on FR 655, arriving at a large trailhead parking area a half mile later. The Carmen Reservoir trailhead is to the left (west) off of the McKenzie Highway 6 miles further up the highway by the NW corner of the reservoir.