This is a popular trail, largely thanks to the beautiful surroundings and many things to do and see along the way. Visit McKenzieRiverTrail.com for more details about the McKenzie River Trail. Potable water is located in campgrounds along the way. It sometimes includes Jump-Off Rock and Brown's Hole. It drains part of the Cascade Range east of Eugene and flows westward into the southernmost end of the Willamette Valley. A smattering of occasional log bridges ensures you get a moment to pause and the opportunity to take it all in. McKenzie River Trail / trail details. Ride the upper end for technical challenges; ride the lower part for flowing forest gliding. McKenzie River National Recreational Trail [CLOSED] is a 24.1 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Blue River, Oregon that features a lake and is rated as difficult. (The water is cold and be very careful to check the area for safety first). McKenzie River. The McKenzie River is a 90-mile tributary of the Willamette River in western Oregon in the United States. The McKenzie River Trail (MRT) (opens in a new tab) is one of the most well-loved trails in the country, and for good reason! The McKenzie reappears at Tamolitch Pool, formerly the site of Tamolitch Falls, where it wells up from deep underground. The waterfall ledge is a favorite for jumping on a hot summer day. Find us on Facebook The trail has good draining soil – so it doesn’t get too muddy during spring and fall seasons. Mission Statement. McKenzie River National Recreation Trail - Lower 1/2 Trail Bridge Res Rtirt)ids McKenzie River Mountain Resort 541-822-6272 126 cae Trail Bridge McKenzie River 20 126 Legend McKenzie River National Recreation Trail Connecting Trail Wild and Scenic River Corndor Boundary U.S. Highway State Highway Ranger Station Campground Day Use Area Parking Area The trail then crosses the river to its western side on a footbridge, winding down past scenic viewpoints overlooking Sahalie and Koosah Falls. 2018 Albums | 2017 Albums 2015 Albums | 2014 Albums 2013 Albums | 2012 Albums Out and back from McKenzie Ranger Station ... stops short of technical section - 23.4 mi, +963 ft. Bike ride in Lane County, OR Expect heavy congestion near Paradise Campground, Clear Lake Loop and Waterfalls Loop trails. The McKenzie River Trail (MRT) offers the quintessential Oregon trail-riding experience. Call ahead This experience may be open for on-site visitation; however, offerings and/or operating procedures may have changed due to COVID-19. Difficulty: Moderate. This easy 26.5 mile (43 km) trail parallels the scenic McKenzie River, gaining 1,750 ft (525 m) as it passes through many contrasting environments: lava beds, lakes, reservoirs, waterfalls, cold-water creeks and dense old-growth forests. The lower sections of the trail pass through 600 year old Douglas-fir forests, while upper sections of the trail pass spectacular waterfalls and lava flows. See it before you hike it! We like to stop at belknap springs to soak in the mineral pool afterwards, On our McKenzie River Trail shuttle this morning we reunited 2 cousins, from different parts of the country - who randomly and independently, picked today to ride. OR 97477 After about 2 miles, the trail reaches a viewpoint of Tamolich Blue Pool, where the river bubbles up from the ground in a crystal clear, blue colored pool. 25.4 Miles: 100% Singletrack: 488’ Ascent-2,197’ Descent: 1,430’ Low: 3,147’ High: Shuttle Service is Available and Recommended. Your privacy is important to us and we will never rent or sell your information. We hiked some of it with family and did several runs ranging from 3-15 miles. Follow us on Twitter, Supervisor's Office Roberts Island has never been developed, and provides exemplary side-channel habitat for endangered fish such as Chinook salmon as well as steelhead. + 1. bendorrigan (Oct 15, 2018 at 13:19) Great scenery, horrible riding. The beauty of the trail is world famous – drawing hikers and mountain bikers from all over the world. More Stats for McKenzie River Trail mountain bike trail trail. Come and see for yourself why so many people rave about this bike trail! From here, the trail heads down stream as the river begins to grow from the spring at blue pool eventually ending again at Trailbridge Reservoir. Season: Spring to Fall. Sweet Home, OR 97386 2015 West Coast Action Photos - Lower McKenzie River Oregon action photographs. The trail is open for hiking and mountain biking year round. See accessible adventures at Detroit Lake & the McKenzie River Valley, Forest Service Home | USDA.gov | recreation.gov | Recreation Customer Service Standards | USA.gov | Whitehouse.gov, Plug-Ins | FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Important Notices | Information Quality, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=4479, Camping restricted to developed campgrounds, McKenzie River Trailhead  at Paradise Campground, McKenzie River Trailhead: Tamolitch Blue Pool, McKenzie River Trailhead at Paradise Campground, McKenzie River National Recreation Trail #3507, Current Fire CLOSURES: What's Open on the Willamette, COVID-19 Safety Closures and Restrictions, Carmen Diversion Reservoir closed through 2021, Trail Bridge, Lakes End Campgrounds and Smith Reservoir Closed Through 2021. The diverse changes in the typography keeps it interesting. These are my favorite times to be on the trail. First Sahalie and then Koosah. 541-782-2283. 503-854-3366, Sweet Home Ranger District The trail continues … The bike trail is a well-defined single-track that follows along the upper 26 miles of the McKenzie River. Riders follow the old river bed and approach the now dry Tamolitch waterfall ledge. The McKenzie River Trail Run is a non-profit organization dedicated to hosting a fun and challenging environmentally conscience trail running experience and supporting the Upper McKenzie community and local businesses. McKenzie River Mountain Resort offers a public shuttle service and mountain bike rentals 541-822-6272. From there the McKenzie River mysteriously disappears underground. Washington, and crosses a bridge over the McKenzie River. The McKenzie River Trail is a spectacular 26 mile long trail that follows the McKenzie River from it’s headwaters (Clear Lake) in the Cascade Mountain range. Beginning at the Upper McKenzie River Trailhead, McKenzie River National Recreation Trail #3507 starts in an old lava flow, originating from Mt. We will strive every year to: See the massive craggy fingers of the lava flows that have shaped this land, created this lake and some of the rivers most spectacular water features – it’s waterfalls. Altitude change-1,720 ft. Altitude min. Music: Spread Your Love by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club McKenzie River, OR. 541-367-5168, McKenzie River Ranger District Nearly 25 miles in length and slightly downhill (when ridden as a shuttle), the trail’s stats are a bit misleading. The diverse changes in the typography keeps it interesting. The trail crosses several more streams and follows forest roads connecting trail segments, breaking west and leveling out near Belknap Hot Springs Resort. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Westfir, OR 97492 The MRT is 20+ miles of flowing singletrack, ideally located among old growth forest, waterfalls,mosses, ferns and brilliant blue pools of water. As the trail is 27 miles and starts at the top, a shuttle service is recommended. Click on the "trail details" for more information on the trail itself. McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413 The trail crosses over several tributaries of the McKenzie River via log bridges. Beyond there is a picnic area with water and smoother riding and easier. The bottom of the trail is usually accessible throughout the year, and in the winter, the upper part of the trail is covered with snow. 541-225-6300, Detroit Ranger District The trail loops around Clear Lake and proceeds through lovely old growth forest to a string of 2 simply stunning waterfalls. We make these awesome shots available to you to purchase. In October the trees display a spectacular show of Fall colors – vibrant golds set amount the evergreens, punctuation by splashes of crimson reds. This is a trail run hosted by the community, for the community. Of course, it wouldn't be the perfect trail without the sharp volcanic rock technical sections. Even with its grand reputation, it rarely gets overcrowded. We make these awesome shots available to you to purchase. The lower half of the McKenzie River Trail will provide some respite from the technical lava rock of the top. Trail Description. ... See MoreSee Less, Copyright 2019 VisitMcKenzieRiver.com by Watkins, James & Assoc LLC | All Rights Reserved. On our McKenzie River Trail shuttle this morning we reunited 2 cousins, from different parts of the country - who randomly and independently, picked today to ride. 3106 Pierce Parkway Suite D Usage: Heavy. The McKenzie River Trail (MRT) is possibly the most famous mountain bike trail in Oregon — and with good reason. This is a beautiful 26 mile stretch of trail that follows the McKenzie River. The trail maintains a gradual downhill track through old growth conifer trees as it winds along the edge of the McKenzie River and crosses the river on a footbridge just before Clear Lake. 541-822-3381, Middle Fork Ranger District Good riders can complete the trail in as little as 4 1/2 hours. Elevation: Trail is at 2800 ft. elevation.. The trail ends at the Lower McKenzie River Trailhead along Highway 126, about 1.5 miles east of the small town of McKenzie Bridge. Highlights include multiple grand waterfalls, lava fields, old growth forest, and the beautiful ‘Blue Pool’ (a topaz blue jewel like body of water that must be seen). Between the old growth forests, the falls and pools of the river, and the exertions of navigating through rolling fields of volcanic rock, it’s an experience that makes an impact. Photos from lifeofduder's post ... See MoreSee Less, Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email, Awesome mystical trail. 2014 West Coast Action Photos - Lower McKenzie River Oregon action photographs. Download the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Recreation App! This trailhead provides access to: McKenzie River Trail #3507; See Trail page for more information. We make these awesome shots available to you to purchase. In fact in the spring and fall, you might travel for an hour or so without seeing anyone else. 10 trails with 405 photos Average riders should give themselves 6-8 hours to enjoy the trail. Water: Potable water available at Ice Cap Campground.. How to get there: From McKenzie Ranger River Station, take Highway 126 east 15-1/2 miles to Carmen Diversion Reservoir. 2016 West Coast Action Photos - Lower McKenzie River Oregon action photographs. Explore the most popular trails in my list McKenzie River with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. The trail winds around Carmen Reservoir where the river disappears underground for most of the year. mountain goat and go all day. 2019 Galleries. 3,160 ft. Altitude start. Highlights include multiple grand waterfalls, lava fields, old growth forest, and the beautiful ‘Blue Pool’ (a topaz blue jewel like body of water that must be seen). June | May | March. The trail maintains a gradual downhill track through old growth conifer trees as it winds along the edge of the McKenzie River and crosses the river on a footbridge just before Clear Lake. 1,418 ft. Altitude max. Peering over the ledge is a crystal clear pool of water that seems to be as still as glass. In 2008, Bike Magazine named it America’s #1 bike trail. Getting There. The McKenzie River runs underground from Carmen Diversion Reservoir to Tamolitch Pool, and the trail winds its way through quiet old-growth forest along the dry riverbed. The McKenzie River National Scenic Trail will temporarily close between Trail Bridge reservoir to Tamolitch Falls (Blue Pool) June 15-18, 2020 for maintenance. McKenzie River Mountain Bike, Hike, Trail Running trails near Eugene, Oregon. Please verify details before you go and visit the COVID-19 Resources page for more information.. The McKenzie Wild and Scenic River was designated in 1988 for its outstandingly remarkable values of fish, scenic quality, recreation, hydrology/geology and water quality. The McKenzie River Trail is one of the absolute best mountain bike trails in North America. The trail skips over several small streams and continues to parallel the river, though sometimes following forest roads. We make these awesome shots available to you to purchase. 3,143 ft. ... but I’ve read the trail gets easier the lower you go. Getting There is Half the Fun: Driving to the McKenzie River Trail from Eugene or Bend. 4431 Highway 20 McKenzie River Waterfall Loop Trail Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls in one awesome hiking experience. One could easily assess the depth at only 5 feet or so, yet the pool can easily surpass 30 feet in parts. Other riders should consider conquering the trail in more manageable chunks – diving the trail into 2 parts. (Hikers and those who prefer to tour nature by automobile can also view these spectacles with relatively short walks from a parking lot.). Roberts Island and Roberts Preserve are some of the McKenzie River Trust’s earliest protected floodplain forest, wetland, and upland properties in the lower McKenzie River valley. Length: 3 miles. 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. 46375 Highway 58 The trail continues over undulating terrain west past Paradise Campground, then past the McKenzie River Ranger Station before reaching its end the at Lower McKenzie River Trailhead. Dogs are also able to use this trail. It is named for Donald McKenzie, a Scottish Canadian fur trader who explored parts of the Pacific Northwest for the Pacific Fur Company in the early 19th century. From Trailbridge Reservoir, the trail continues south through an old growth conifer forest and breaks out onto Forest Road 610, joining the road and heading south past a gate before breaking off the road east and south back along the now continuing river. The trail then follows a dry creekbed in old growth forest with several bridges to cross as the trail and creekbed meander in the valley bottom. Washington, and crosses a bridge over the McKenzie River. The McKenzie River Trail was rated America’s #1 Mountain Bike Trail in 2008 by Bike Magazine readers. Flat, boring, and no flow. Mountain Biking Mckenzie River Trail. This message is only visible to site adminsProblem displaying Facebook posts. Detroit, OR 97342 The McKenzie River Trail is a spectacular 26 mile long trail that follows the McKenzie River from it’s headwaters (Clear Lake) in the Cascade Mountain range. Beginning at the Upper McKenzie River Trailhead, McKenzie River National Recreation Trail #3507 starts in an old lava flow, originating from Mt. As of the 21st century, six … Springfield. Although the scenery is amazing, the trail is quite technical in places (rocks, roots, lava rock) and we needed all of our attention on the trail itself. All other water must be treated. The whole ride is in old growth forest and the water is crystal blue. For more detailed information about the trail – including FREE trail maps, photos, video and other local bike trails – visit McKenzieRiverTrail.com. Near Belknap Hot Springs the trail levels out and passes several Forest Service campgrounds, past the McKenzie River Station and beyond the Lower McKenzie River Trailhead. Use Travel Lane County’s Google-Trekked Trails to see Google's "trail view" of this trail. 57600 McKenzie Hwy Backup cache in use. Its easily accessible trailheads allow you to quickly become enveloped in a rollicking ribbon of single-track that includes massive log bridges, old-growth trees and one of the state’s clearest river … Ride the whole thing for the full package. The trail continues winding through the forest and old lava flows in view of Clear Lake and passes the Great Spring, which is a primary source of the McKenzie River. 2012 West Coast Action Photos - Lower McKenzie River Oregon action photographs. The first 10 miles go thru a lava field making it the toughest part. After passing the southern end of Clear Lake, the trail winds through forest and crosses Highway 126, continuing along the McKenzie River. 2016 Lower McKenzie River Whitewater Photo Galleries This typically includes Marten Rapids (AKA Martin's Rapids) below the Ben & Kay Doris boat ramp upstream from Vida, OR. More old growth forest, wooden bridges, streams and creeks continue until the bottom of the trail is reached. For our long run, we drove to the trailhead at the top of Clear Lake and ran South 15 miles. (Even if you don’t want to ride the trail – a visit to Clear Lake is a must do.). McKenzie River Trail – directions to lower trailhead – map. It is a long, mostly downhill and a a super fun spin. Bicyclists: Dismount and walk bicycles along the Waterfalls Trail or stay on the McKenzie River Trail as an alternate route. At the end of this crystal blue pool, the McKenzie River runs again. This 27 mile long trail follows the McKenzie River form it’s headwaters at Clear Lake where springs literally gush from the ground to form this mighty river. 44125 North Santiam Highway SE From Eugene or Springfield, head east along Highway 126 for a little over an hour, and you’ll arrive at the lower McKenzie River trailhead just past McKenzie Bridge. From here, call your shuttle service to get back to your car or meet up with your second vehicle.