McKenzie River Trail,
Oregon
Oregon
Location - Clear Lake to McKenzie Bridge, OR
Length - 26 miles
Date - Pictures are from 3 separate rides
Length - 26 miles
Date - Pictures are from 3 separate rides
The McKenzie River trail runs for twenty six miles from the
north side of Clear Lake to the McKenzie Bridge Ranger
Station. This trail runs through some amazing terrain and
passes many spectacular sights. Although never far from
the road, the McKenzie River Trail is a prime destination
for mountain biking or for hikes of varying length.
Essentially the entire length of the trail is single track, and
the majority of it is not technically demanding. However,
there are two sections of trail that run through lava flows
and produce some tricky riding. Each time of have
pedaled the trail I end up walking through some of the
lava sections.
north side of Clear Lake to the McKenzie Bridge Ranger
Station. This trail runs through some amazing terrain and
passes many spectacular sights. Although never far from
the road, the McKenzie River Trail is a prime destination
for mountain biking or for hikes of varying length.
Essentially the entire length of the trail is single track, and
the majority of it is not technically demanding. However,
there are two sections of trail that run through lava flows
and produce some tricky riding. Each time of have
pedaled the trail I end up walking through some of the
lava sections.
The first few miles of the trail run along smooth buffed single track as the path works
its way around the striking waters of Clear Lake. Apparently this lake was created by
a volcanic eruption that occurred 3,000 years ago. This eruption filled the valley with
lava flows and blocked the McKenzie River. The lake’s waters come from springs that
release water originating as meltwater from snow that fell ten years earlier. The area’
s volcanic rock is so porous that meltwater percolates into the rock and moves
through an aquifer until it emerges in the springs completely cleaned of all
particulates and minerals. The result is mineral free water that remains at a nearly
constant temperature in the forties. The combination of ultra clean and cold water
has preserved dead trees inundated by the lake’s waters that have not decomposed
over the course of 3,000 years. The lake is stunning, but this section of trail is nice
and fast and while biking views are limited to quick glances.
At the far end of Clear Lake the trail climbs through a quick technical section and
then crosses the highway. At this point you can ride either side of the river with the
left side being much easier and providing better views of the waterfalls that lie below.
The river right side is pretty technical and has some steep downhill sections that run
through sharp lava rocks. If you go right be aware that in a few places it would be
possible to ride your bike off of cliff and into the river.
The highlights of this section are Sahalie and Koosah Falls, two drops between eighty
and a hundred feet each. These massive waterfalls produce lots of mist and micro
climates around them and make for a spectacular scene, especially when you
consider the surrounding old growth forests. Below the waterfalls the trail eases up
and becomes buffed single track with some trickier sections containing roots and
stones. For long stretches the trail runs through old growth forest with massive
Douglas Firs on each side. In a few places your handlebars barely fit between the
trunks.
its way around the striking waters of Clear Lake. Apparently this lake was created by
a volcanic eruption that occurred 3,000 years ago. This eruption filled the valley with
lava flows and blocked the McKenzie River. The lake’s waters come from springs that
release water originating as meltwater from snow that fell ten years earlier. The area’
s volcanic rock is so porous that meltwater percolates into the rock and moves
through an aquifer until it emerges in the springs completely cleaned of all
particulates and minerals. The result is mineral free water that remains at a nearly
constant temperature in the forties. The combination of ultra clean and cold water
has preserved dead trees inundated by the lake’s waters that have not decomposed
over the course of 3,000 years. The lake is stunning, but this section of trail is nice
and fast and while biking views are limited to quick glances.
At the far end of Clear Lake the trail climbs through a quick technical section and
then crosses the highway. At this point you can ride either side of the river with the
left side being much easier and providing better views of the waterfalls that lie below.
The river right side is pretty technical and has some steep downhill sections that run
through sharp lava rocks. If you go right be aware that in a few places it would be
possible to ride your bike off of cliff and into the river.
The highlights of this section are Sahalie and Koosah Falls, two drops between eighty
and a hundred feet each. These massive waterfalls produce lots of mist and micro
climates around them and make for a spectacular scene, especially when you
consider the surrounding old growth forests. Below the waterfalls the trail eases up
and becomes buffed single track with some trickier sections containing roots and
stones. For long stretches the trail runs through old growth forest with massive
Douglas Firs on each side. In a few places your handlebars barely fit between the
trunks.
In this section the trail runs through a remote valley and follows the McKenzie
River. In fact, you are forced to dismount and walk your bike across several log
bridges made from felled trees. The peculiar thing is that these bridges are
crossing a dry riverbed. All of the water that was cascading over Sahalie and
Koosah Falls has percolated back into the lava rock and is now flowing
underground.
As you ride along the trail will start to grow increasingly technical until you reach
a sharp turn at the top of a cliff overlooking Tamolitch Pool, otherwise known as
Blue Pool. Here the McKenzie River bubbles back to the surface through
springs to form this pool that reaches a maximum depth of seventy feet. Despite
the depth it is possible to look down on the water and see directly to the bottom
with enough detail to pick out individual rocks and logs. At the lower end of
Tamolitch Pool the McKenzie River flows away at its full size. This remarkable
spot is a great place to rest and relax since the next mile is the most challenging
part of the trail. The path cuts through a lava flow again and many riders will
have to walk at least some of this next section. Eventually the trail eases up and
becomes smooth single track that carries you to another road crossing.
The trail is smoother now and rolls up and down a few easy hills while slabbing
across a slope and eventually dropping down to a gravel road. On the opposite
side of this dirt road the path reenters the woods, crosses a washed out log
bridge, and climbs steeply for a hundred yards to a bench. The following
section is quite long and allows the rider to enter a rhythm while cranking along
smooth single track with just enough obstructions and little turns to make you
think twice about going really fast. After a some miles of this the trail pops out
on another gravel road and follows the double track for a few hundred yards
above some rapids on the McKenzie. Once it ducks back into the woods the
path drops through a few easy switchbacks and runs fast and smooth all of the
way to the campground and hot springs at Deer Creek.
River. In fact, you are forced to dismount and walk your bike across several log
bridges made from felled trees. The peculiar thing is that these bridges are
crossing a dry riverbed. All of the water that was cascading over Sahalie and
Koosah Falls has percolated back into the lava rock and is now flowing
underground.
As you ride along the trail will start to grow increasingly technical until you reach
a sharp turn at the top of a cliff overlooking Tamolitch Pool, otherwise known as
Blue Pool. Here the McKenzie River bubbles back to the surface through
springs to form this pool that reaches a maximum depth of seventy feet. Despite
the depth it is possible to look down on the water and see directly to the bottom
with enough detail to pick out individual rocks and logs. At the lower end of
Tamolitch Pool the McKenzie River flows away at its full size. This remarkable
spot is a great place to rest and relax since the next mile is the most challenging
part of the trail. The path cuts through a lava flow again and many riders will
have to walk at least some of this next section. Eventually the trail eases up and
becomes smooth single track that carries you to another road crossing.
The trail is smoother now and rolls up and down a few easy hills while slabbing
across a slope and eventually dropping down to a gravel road. On the opposite
side of this dirt road the path reenters the woods, crosses a washed out log
bridge, and climbs steeply for a hundred yards to a bench. The following
section is quite long and allows the rider to enter a rhythm while cranking along
smooth single track with just enough obstructions and little turns to make you
think twice about going really fast. After a some miles of this the trail pops out
on another gravel road and follows the double track for a few hundred yards
above some rapids on the McKenzie. Once it ducks back into the woods the
path drops through a few easy switchbacks and runs fast and smooth all of the
way to the campground and hot springs at Deer Creek.
The remaining eight or nine miles or so of trail are smooth and quick.
Many fun turns and a couple of ups and downs keep things exciting as
the path twists through more stands of huge trees. Several more road
crossings provide bail out point for anyone that would rather cruise the
shoulder of the highway back to McKenzie Bridge. The trail is very much
worth riding to the end, with the last stretches being some of the fastest
on the whole ride.
I am far from being an good mountain biker, but I have enjoyed this trail a
lot each time I have ridden it. For my skill level the combination of
smooth trail and tougher stuff is just right. Even when I have been in top
shape I always feel pretty wiped out at the end of the whole twenty six
mile trail While it is possible to park at the bottom, ride up the highway,
and take the trail back down, a two vehicle shuttle is quite a bit easier
and lets you save your energy for the trail ride.
Many fun turns and a couple of ups and downs keep things exciting as
the path twists through more stands of huge trees. Several more road
crossings provide bail out point for anyone that would rather cruise the
shoulder of the highway back to McKenzie Bridge. The trail is very much
worth riding to the end, with the last stretches being some of the fastest
on the whole ride.
I am far from being an good mountain biker, but I have enjoyed this trail a
lot each time I have ridden it. For my skill level the combination of
smooth trail and tougher stuff is just right. Even when I have been in top
shape I always feel pretty wiped out at the end of the whole twenty six
mile trail While it is possible to park at the bottom, ride up the highway,
and take the trail back down, a two vehicle shuttle is quite a bit easier
and lets you save your energy for the trail ride.
Eighty foot Sahalie Falls, one of the prettiest spots on the whole trail, is encountered only a few
miles into the ride.
miles into the ride.
Less than a mile below Sahalie Falls is Koosah Falls, another eight
yfoot drop into a spectacular pool.
yfoot drop into a spectacular pool.
Tamolitch Pool is seventy feet deep in places, but the pure waters
make it looks much shallower. After flowing underground for
several mile, the McKenzie Reemerges at this point.
make it looks much shallower. After flowing underground for
several mile, the McKenzie Reemerges at this point.
Some of the more technical sections of the McKenzie River Trail take riders through
old lava flows full of sharp rocks.
old lava flows full of sharp rocks.
For most of its course the trail is smooth buffed singletrack that makes for a nearly
perfect riding surface.
perfect riding surface.
The McKenzie River Trail runs through old growth forest for much its length and
deadfalls are often cut away to keep the path clear.
deadfalls are often cut away to keep the path clear.