The river disappears at the Carmen Reservoir as it continues its voyage underground, meaning at this point you will be following a dry creekbed for a while. Koosah Falls on The McKenzie River Trail.The trail heads down through the trees and winds it’s away along the river’s edge before arriving at Clear Lake and the Great Spring, which is a primary source for the river.Īfter heading past the southern end of the lake, the route will have you twisting and turning past the turbulent river until you cross over Highway 126 and then cross to the western side of the river, taking you to some spectacular viewpoints of Sahalie and Koosah Falls. If you start at the Upper Trailhead, you’ll find yourself on an old lava flow that originates from Mount Washington. Click the image to view the clickable map of the McKenzie River Trail. Most people do the McKenzie River Trail in one direction rather than treating it as an out and back trail, organizing a shuttle with friends, or using a shuttle service. You can take on as much or as little as the hike as you like, as it intersects through side roads off the highway, making access easy. The trail runs along the riverside through beautiful forests, and the further up the river you go, the more volcanic and rocky the path becomes. If it is solitude and beautiful surroundings you are after, then it is the lower half of the hike that is for you. For the more hard-core hiker, the whole trail might seem like an easy walk, but for the average hiker, it is common to make it a multi-stay trip.Īlthough many hikers will tackle the whole trail, you will find a much more significant crowd of day hikers in the upper section, where you will find some of the bigger natural attractions, such as the Blue Pool, Sahalie Falls, and Koosah Falls. The trail follows the river’s path for most of its 26 miles. It very rarely gets overcrowded due to its length, which just adds to its appeal.

This incredible route draws both hikers and bikers from all over the world. Picture multiple cascading waterfalls, old-growth forest, lava fields, and twinkling blue pools, all on one trail. This is a popular trail, largely thanks to the beautiful surroundings and many things to do and see along the way. Following the beautiful McKenzie River, the McKenzie River trail is 26 miles long, starting at the headwaters of Clear Lake in the Cascade Mountain Range.

Water bridge in venture towns