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Wednesday, June 1, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Multiple hiking options along the McKenzie River Trail
By Craig F. Eisenbeis
Correspondent
Although the snowpack is
rapidly dwindling, it is still a
good idea to stick to lower-
elevation trails for the early
season. Keep in mind that,
even after the snow disap-
pears, trail damage can occur
when using higher-elevation
trails that are still soggy with
meltwater.
The upper McKenzie
River waterfall trail is com-
pletely snow free. Plus, it’s
hardly more than a half an
hour from Sisters. However,
at just 2.6 miles, it makes
for a pretty light-duty hike.
To remedy that, we decided
to insert some additional
mileage by starting at Clear
Lake to make the outing a bit
more than a little stroll in the
woods.
By beginning at Clear
Lake and hiking the entire
falls loop, the trip comes in at
a more respectable 6.2 miles.
This whole trail system is
part of the McKenzie River
National Recreation Trail,
which extends more than
26 miles from Fish Lake to
McKenzie Bridge; so, there is
a lot of trail here if you want
to add even more.
For this outing, we parked
at the public parking lot near
the Clear Lake Resort and
headed south, staying on the
west side of Clear Lake to
add a total of 3.6 miles, round
trip. Alternatively, the hiker
can head north from that point
and swing around the east-
ern side of the lake, adding
another three miles for a total
of 9.6 miles for both loops.
Clear Lake, Sahalie Falls,
and Koosah Falls are popu-
lar spots to visit by vehicle;
but this hike incorporates all
these attractions and more.
The first leg of our hike was
only 1.2 miles to reach the
lake’s outlet and the best pos-
sible view of the newborn
McKenzie River, as it flows
out of the lake. Here, the trail
crosses the river on a substan-
tial bridge. This spot always
seems to inspire a little con-
templative break as the crys-
tal clear water placidly begins
its journey to join with the
Willamette and, eventually,
the Columbia River on its
way to the ocean.
The next stretch of trail is
not difficult but may cause a
little anxiety, because there
is the sensation that you are
going the wrong direction.
Soon, however, the hiker
comes to a well-marked trail
junction to assure you that
you are on the right path,
after all. From that junction,
it is a bit over a quarter of a
mile to where the trail crosses
Highway 126.
Another little jaunt of
about that same distance
brings you to the north end of
the Sahalie and Koosah Falls
Loop Trail. Here, we encoun-
tered a pleasant surprise:
a brand-new bridge! (See
related story, pg. 25.) At that
point, I usually prefer to cross
the bridge and follow the trail
down the less-traveled west
side of the river.
As the trail heads
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downstream, it passes above
Sahalie Falls, where the entire
river seems to just disappear
beneath your feet. From this
point, it’s about half a mile
to Koosah Falls. Keep your
ears alert for a noticeable
increase in river noise or you
may overlook a lesser-known
waterfall along the way that
suddenly comes into view
over your left shoulder.
Unnamed, but usually
referred to as Lower Sahalie
Falls, this feature cannot be
seen from any of the high-
way viewpoints and is vis-
ible only to hikers. People
who do not hike this trail, and
sightsee only at the roadside
viewpoints for Sahalie and
Koosah, will never get to see
this hidden waterfall. All the
falls in this area were formed
by the same lava flows that
created Clear Lake 3,000
years ago.
Farther south down the
trail, Koosah Falls pro-
vides even more photo-
graphic opportunities.
Rhododendrons in this area
grow 12-15 feet high. Beyond
Koosah Falls, the McKenzie
River Trail eventually veers
off to the right at the base of
photo by craiG eisenbeis
Sahalie Falls is one of the most popular attractions along the McKenzie
River Trail. A viewpoint is also wheelchair accessible from the highway.
a giant eight-foot-thick fir.
Take the fork to the left; and,
within about 100 yards, the
trail dumps you out onto the
gravel road skirting the north
edge of Carmen Reservoir,
part of Eugene’s Carmen-
Smith Hydroelectric Project.
Follow the road to the left
(east toward the highway)
across the vehicle bridge,
to join up with the other
leg of the McKenzie Falls
Loop Trail. A sign on a tree
will point you back to the
trail upstream along the east
side of the river. From here,
it’s less than a mile back to
Sahalie Falls (via Koosah
Falls) on this easy loop.
To access this hike, take
Highway 20 west over the
pass and turn left at the
Santiam “Y.” Three miles
later, take Highway 126 left
toward Eugene for another
three miles. Then follow the
signs to Clear Lake Lodge on
the left.
If you prefer the shorter
2.6-mile basic loop, simply
take Highway 126 a few miles
farther to either the Sahalie or
Koosah Falls viewpoints.
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