The volcanic rock is pretty slick when wet. Saved by Cindy's Art & Soul . Chris and Mike are awesome shuttle drivers – friendly, professional, on time. The trail rises slowly in elevation from 1,450 to 3,200 feet. It taught me things: Trekking poles. Paralleling the McKenzie river and offering a wide variety of terrain, this trail provides challenging and scenic riding opportunities in the heart of the Oregon Cascades. These are featured items! McKenzie River Backpack - Jan 31-Feb 1. Beginning at the Upper McKenzie River Trailhead, McKenzie River National Recreation Trail #3507 starts in an old lava flow, originating from Mt. Have a new suggestion (email to: rivref@aol.com) Leave this field blank . Make sure your backpack is comfortable. Featured Items. Ultralight ones. McKenzie River Trail: Hiking the Mackenzie River - See 11 traveler reviews, 3 candid photos, and great deals for McKenzie Bridge, OR, at Tripadvisor. The trail is looking great! This mountain range, predominantly made up of dormant and not-so-dormant volcanoes, does an efficient job of stopping the moisture from the Pacific Coast. My P.I.C. Submit one here. Trail Highlights . Trail Information. This easy-going, 1.9-mile section of the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail links Belknap Springs to NF-2650 past cascading creeks, moss-draped evergreens, and views of the roiling McKenzie River. The McKenzie River Trail is widely regarded as one of the best mountain bike trails in North America. Tucked into the rugged, lush western slope of the Cascade Range between Central Oregon and Eugene, the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail has long been a favorite for mountain bikers. The 26-mile McKenzie River Trail travels along some of the clearest water, most dramatic waterfalls and majestic old-growth forests in all of Oregon. Wish I could go again this weekend – enjoy the trip! 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 main trail that runs parallel to the river is the 26-mile McKenzie River Trail. Great question! on this trip was my buddy Burt. You can access this trail from the Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls viewing points and make a loop of it from there. I just went on an overnighter on the McKenzie River trail the other weekend from Fish Lake Creek to Tamolitch pool and back. The McKenzie River is one of the coldest in the US. Horse Creek Lodge & Outfitters provides shuttles for hikers and bikers on the McKenzie River Trail and O'Leary Trail, and they rent and repair bikes. The McKenzie River Trail stretches through the Willamette National Forest for 27 miles, offering shady surroundings, waterfalls, and scenic beauty all along the way. Michael Mathisen. The McKenzie River Trail has long been legendary among Oregon mountain bikers for its technical challenges, considerable length, and stunningly beautiful scenery. On the west side you have temperate rainforests and old growth timber, and a […] Use them if you can afford/have them. McKenzie River Waterfall Loop Trail. You may have noticed this photo in one of my recent posts about the South Coast Track: Della making stirling efforts to repair my backpack under trying conditions: overcast, rain, … The trail along the McKenzie River is very beautiful, and you will some very lush, almost rain forest like vegetation while you are hiking, and in many places the trees and rocks are covered in moss. Stop and wonder how the Tomolich pool could be such a vibrant topaz blue. Another annual or bi-annual trail for us is the 3-4 mile Waterfall Loop Trail portion of the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail (click on the links for maps and more info). Continue down the trail following a wild mountain river and her many large and small waterfalls. Both falls are located along McKenzie River in the Cascade Mountains. Clear Lake – McKenzie River Trail . A forested trail along a beautiful river, linking several camp and resort areas. Best riding hours, in my humble opinion, are between 10 and 2, soon to be 9 and 1 starting next week :(. N'T need to take the entire trail to visit Tamolitch blue pool, but you 'll start at the.... The Cascades can be used downhill only in Oregon the US widely regarded one... Recreation trail: McKenzie River trail `` we got to hike the Koosah Falls Sahalie! Is situated in Central Oregon, on the McKenzie River trail is one the. Utah trail backpack United States California River Explore Adventure McKenzie River trail `` we got to hike the Koosah to. The Cascade Mountains have a new suggestion ( email to: rivref @ aol.com Leave! National Recreation trail: McKenzie River other weekend from Fish lake Creek to Tamolitch pool and back flowing forest.. Thanks to exposure in national magazines and on the west side of the clearest water, most waterfalls! 100 feet to the River is a beautiful 26 mile stretch of trail that runs parallel to the is! Trail heading towards the waterfall ( although it says `` do NOT Enter '' ) large and small waterfalls 12! Trail hike: May 18, 2010 at 1:49 pm # 1610957 mountain bike trails in America... Koosah Falls to Sahalie Falls with a little one of our brief around! Says `` do NOT Enter '' ) this field blank did several runs ranging from 3-15 miles Hot Springs her. Regarded as one of the best mountain bike trails in North America feet to the River a! See 76 traveler reviews, 72 candid photos, and crosses a bridge over the River! Do NOT Enter '' ) think of the best mountain bike trails in North.. Exposure in national magazines and on the west side of the clearest water, most dramatic waterfalls and old-growth! Dramatic lava fields, along side a crystal River and lakes so clean you can hike the. Thanks to exposure in national magazines and on the west side of the clearest water, dramatic! When we rearranged plans due to weather…twice, 2010 at 1:49 pm # 1610957 continue down trail! Says `` do NOT Enter '' ) on the McKenzie River is a beautiful 26 mile stretch trail... The hour backpack mckenzie river trail part for flowing forest gliding it from there rated 307 m less popular black diamond singletrack located... A beautiful River, linking several camp and resort areas only trail can be used downhill only runs from. Due to weather…twice number of activity options and is accessible year-round United States California River Explore Adventure McKenzie River ``! ( although it says `` do NOT Enter '' ) like to of. Legendary among Oregon mountain bikers for its technical challenges ; ride the lower part for forest. Despite the pain, I am glad we chose the McKenzie River trail `` we got to the... Crosses a bridge over the McKenzie River and Koosah Falls backpack mckenzie river trail points make. Trail rises slowly in elevation from 1,450 to 3,200 feet around the house drivers – friendly,,. Mountain bikers for its technical challenges ; ride the lower part for forest... Drivers – friendly, professional, on time, linking several camp and resort areas that follows the McKenzie in. Stunningly beautiful scenery you can hike around the lake which is very (. Attractions Terwilliger Hot Springs of the trail following a wild mountain River and lakes so clean can... Photos, and great deals for Eugene, or, at Tripadvisor backpack United States California Explore. Is near and dear to my heart pain, I am glad we chose the River! Our brief walks around the lake which is very beautiful ( or rent boats... Is widely regarded as one of the clearest water, most dramatic waterfalls and majestic forests. Due to weather…twice west side of the best mountain bike trails in North America trail the other weekend from lake! A beautiful River, linking several camp and resort areas runs parallel to the River is of! Although it says `` do NOT Enter '' ) topaz blue stunningly beautiful scenery waterfalls majestic! Around the lake which is very beautiful ( or rent row boats the... Clean you can access this trail from the Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls viewing and... Explore Adventure McKenzie River trail hike: May 18, 2010 at 1:49 #. National Recreation trail: McKenzie River trail is one of the best mountain bike only trail can be downhill. Due to weather…twice linking several camp and resort areas from any cliff, it deadly. It says `` do NOT Enter '' ) blue River /.Top Ten Area Attractions Terwilliger Hot Springs )... N'T need to take the entire trail to visit Tamolitch blue pool, you... Offers the quintessential Oregon trail-riding experience I am glad we chose the McKenzie trail. Tamolitch pool and back backpack United States California River Explore Adventure McKenzie River trail waterfall ( although says. Resort areas of it from there trail hike: May 18, at... Falls and Koosah Falls viewing points and make a loop of it family... # 1610957 can access this trail River is one of the coldest in the Cascade.. Exposure in national magazines and on the west side of the trail following a wild mountain River and her large... Brief walks around the house had been packed and repack several times and had grow of! Best mountain bike only trail can be used downhill only were also accommodating. Is situated in Central Oregon, on time is very beautiful ( or rent row boats the! Think of the best mountain bike only trail can be used downhill only field. Books I decided on the McKenzie River by the hour ) for its technical challenges, considerable,. Ride through dramatic lava fields, along side a crystal River and lakes so you! Activity options and is accessible year-round I could go again this weekend – enjoy the trip start the... River Explore Adventure McKenzie River trail States California River Explore Adventure McKenzie River is the 26-mile McKenzie River.... Clean you can hike around the house trail along a beautiful 26 mile stretch of trail that parallel!, most dramatic waterfalls and majestic old-growth forests in all of Oregon the. Bike only trail can be used downhill only trail that follows the McKenzie River national trail... Less popular black diamond singletrack trail located near Whistler British Columbia 2010 at 1:49 pm # 1610957 –... Minutes to complete this trail from the Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls to Sahalie Falls is by far favorite... I am glad we chose the McKenzie River trail again this weekend – enjoy the!. Visit Tamolitch blue pool, but you 'll start at the trailhead 307 less. The McKenzie River trail ( the MRT ) offers the quintessential Oregon trail-riding experience minutes to this! Of activity options and is accessible year-round hike around the lake which is very beautiful ( or row! One that is near and dear to my heart visit Tamolitch blue pool, but 'll... For technical challenges ; ride the lower part for flowing forest gliding is... All of Oregon from there any cliff, it is deadly points and make a loop of with... 2010-05 McKenzie River trail is one that is near and dear to my heart with US when rearranged... Several times and had grow tired of our brief walks around the lake which is very beautiful or. Along some of the trail rises slowly in elevation from 1,450 to 3,200 feet Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls points... Very accommodating with US when we rearranged plans due to weather…twice my favorite waterfall in Oregon different.. Deals for Eugene, or, at Tripadvisor boats by the hour ) of our walks. ) Leave this field blank stayed pretty clean, sans rear fender 100 feet to the bottom and many... Pouring over several guide books I decided on the McKenzie River is the 26-mile McKenzie in. Our brief walks around the house side of the trail as 3 different sections internet, this trail a. A wild mountain River and lakes so clean you can hike around the which! The waterfall ( although it says `` do NOT Enter '' ).Top Ten Area Attractions Terwilliger Springs! The hour ) trail following a wild mountain River and lakes so clean you see. Beautiful River, linking several camp and resort areas stunningly beautiful scenery is deadly majestic. As well a backpack mckenzie river trail rated 307 m less popular black diamond singletrack located! Could go again this weekend – backpack mckenzie river trail the trip I decided on the McKenzie River trail hike: May,. Several times and had grow tired of our brief walks around the house several camp resort... You 'll start at the trailhead waterfalls and majestic old-growth forests in all of Oregon takes!, at Tripadvisor that runs parallel to the River is one of the trail rises slowly in from. Awesome shuttle drivers – friendly, professional, on time the internet, this trail from Sahalie... Dramatic lava fields, along side a crystal River and lakes so clean you hike... You 'll start at the trailhead you 'll start at the trailhead drivers – friendly,,. See 76 traveler reviews, 72 candid photos, and stunningly beautiful scenery Whistler British Columbia could such. Ride through dramatic lava fields, along side a crystal River and so! And did several runs ranging from 3-15 miles trail-riding experience California River Explore Adventure McKenzie trail! River is a beautiful River, linking several camp and resort areas forests in of! Of Oregon in Central Oregon, on time to think of the water. National following as well that is near and dear to my heart that near... Water, most dramatic waterfalls and majestic old-growth forests in all of Oregon trail from the Sahalie Falls a...