The Columbia River Gorge may get all the press when it comes to seeing waterfalls and hiking along beautiful riverside trails in Oregon, but the Central Oregon Cascades are no slouch either. This area is home to sights like the little-known Highway of Waterfalls, lush old-growth forests, crystal-clear rivers, and lakes and pools that are so clear they don’t seem real.
One of the most popular sights in this area is located along the McKenzie River, which has some of the bluest-looking water you’ll ever see (and that’s coming from someone who has made many visits to Crater Lake!).
This place is Tamolitch Falls, or, as it’s more commonly called, the Blue Pool.
Getting to the Blue Pool
To get to the Blue Pool, you’ll need to head out along the McKenzie Highway, which follows the McKenzie River from where it starts at Clear Lake. This gorgeous stretch of highway is home to numerous waterfalls, hot springs, and campgrounds that are perfect for hosting a weekend getaway.
The pool itself is located along the McKenzie River Trail, which is a very popular hiking and mountain biking destination. So don’t be surprised to see a group of mountain bikers show up for a quick dip while you’re hiking to the pool.
The easiest route to the Blue Pool for most people is to park at the Trail Bridge Reservoir trailhead. From here, it is a 4-mile out-and-back hike with minimal elevation change. I’d say the most difficult part of the hike is usually finding a parking spot, as this trailhead can fill up early, especially on summer weekends.
Alternatively, you can also park at the Carmen Bridge Reservoir, which adds 1 1/2 miles to the hike each way but usually offers a less crowded trail and parking lot.
Visiting the Blue Pool
Once you’ve knocked out the miles, it’s time to enjoy the grandeur of this stunning natural sight.
The Blue Pool and Tamolitch Falls were formed when a lava flow blocked a three-mile stretch of the McKenzie River. The porous lava rock allowed for the river to slowly filter through and reemerge at the Blue Pool.
As a result, the water here is absolutely crystal clear, giving the pool its distinct blue color.
One side effect of the water staying underground for so long is it remains a chilly 37 degrees nearly year-round. This means that swimming in the pool is highly discouraged as the shock to the body from the cold can leave people in a state of distress very quickly.
On your visit, you may see folks diving off the cliffs around the pool, but use extreme caution if you choose to follow. More than a few visitors have required medical evacuations after misjudging their jumps and landing in too shallow of water.
We recommend that, unless you’re an experienced cold water swimmer, you stick to the edges, take photos, enjoy the lush forest, and leave no trace in this stunning area.
About Tamolitch Falls
Many visitors to the Blue Pool are disappointed to find that the waterfall is often dried up. Because of the lava flow over the McKenzie River, the river’s normal flow passes completely underneath the volcanic rock, which leaves nothing to flow over the cliffs above the pool.
During high runoff season in the spring months, the falls occasionally spring to life, but their appearance is generally unpredictable and coincides with less-than-ideal hiking conditions.
