Tamolitch Pool a good "shoulder season" hike

At only 2,200 feet of elevation, the hike to beautiful, deep aqua-blue Tamolitch Pool is an excellent "shoulder season" hike. According to Forest Service information, it is open "most" of the year; more to the point, it is often snow-free well into December. It's not one of the better-known hikes in our area, but, at only a little over four miles round-trip, it's one of the easiest and most rewarding. It is also one of the most puzzling.

From all appearances, this is where the McKenzie River begins. Yet, the McKenzie's headwaters are purported to be at Clear Lake. So, which is it? The answer requires a little understanding of the hydrogeology of the area - and of a significant hydroelectric project.

The easy answer is that the river disappears into porous volcanic rock and lava tubes for the two miles between Carmen Reservoir and Tamolitch Pool. That's partly true; but most maps identify the site as "Tamolitch Falls." Indeed, the rock wall at the upstream end of the pool has all the requisite components of a spectacular waterfall. Everything, that is, except the water.

When Donald McKenzie explored the region for John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company in 1812, the falls were more of a going concern. Since 1963, however, the falls have been mostly dry - except during extreme runoff conditions. In that year, the Eugene Water & Electric Board completed a hydroelectric project that rerouted, by concrete tunnel, most of the McKenzie's water from the project's Carmen Diversion Dam to Browder Creek and Smith Reservoir. That water flow is then diverted through a power generation tunnel to the Trail Bridge Reservoir, where all the water finally has a chance to collect itself and resume being what we know as the McKenzie

River.

The Tamolitch hike begins just above the northern edge of Trail Bridge Reservoir and follows the historic course of the McKenzie River 2.1 miles to the pool where the river's subterranean remnant resurfaces. This excellent, flat trail plunges into a dense forest of old-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar, accented by layers of thick mosses.

Fall colors provide a vibrant contrast to the rich greens, and some of the fall display continues to linger. Other notable plant life includes the Oregon grape (our purple-berried state flower) and our state nut (yes, there is such a thing), the hazelnut.

This easy hike stays near the river's edge and the time passes quickly. When approaching the pool, the trail twists and climbs a bit to traverse a lava flow. Unlike most lava flows we see in our area, this one is not stark and barren. Instead, it's rapidly being buried under a carpet of plant life.

While negotiating the area of this lava flow, there are a couple of good reasons to keep an eye out for deep cylindrical holes in the lava rock. First, the holes are very interesting; and, second, you don't want to fall into

one!

The holes tend to be about two to four feet in diameter, and some are quite deep. If you study them, it's not hard to deduce where they came from. Just as the region supports a healthy forest today, it also did 3,000 years ago when fresh lava from Belknap Crater poured over the land. The molten rock surrounded the forest's trees where they stood and solidified. When the trees disintegrated, the spaces they occupied were literally "cast in stone" and became the holes in the rock that we see today.

As the trail winds through the moss-carpeted lava, it suddenly opens up at the edge of a rock cliff surrounding Tamolitch Pool. With no visible inlet, the rushing river that emerges from the pool is all the more remarkable. The name Tamolitch comes from the native tribes' Chinook trading jargon and means "bucket" or "tub."

This scenic "tub" is an intensely blue pool where trout can easily be seen suspended in the crystal clear depths - even from the trail's vantage point more than 50 feet above the water. This is an easy hike, so there's no need to rush; but plan some extra time in the forest, then relax by the pool and enjoy the beauty.

While we were enjoying our time at the pool, a pair of bicyclists also arrived; so the trail is suitable for bicycles, as well. The pool is surrounded by steep, dangerous cliffs, so keep a close eye on children and pets.

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 ten miles and turn right (west) off Highway 126 at the sign for Trail Bridge Reservoir. Turn right again immediately after crossing the river. Follow Forest Road 612 for half a mile to a sharp turn to the left. Park there to begin the hike; the round trip is about 4.2 miles.