Sahalie and Koosah Falls + Clear Lake

Some of the spots that we have found lately off the Mckenzie River are beautiful. I have visited Cougar Hot Springs (Terwilliger Hot Springs) and Blue Pool (Tamolitch Pool) in that area before, however this trip was unique in comparison.

Koosah Falls- meaning "Sky" in Chinook jargon

Sahalie and Koosah Falls + Clear Lake are 86 miles northeast of Eugene, and it is a quick drive. Both waterfalls are right off the highway, very accessible. I was disappointed by this, I felt I didn't even have to work to see the waterfalls. I watched as many people got out of their cars, snapped a picture and then left. This makes me so mad! Most people didn't even walk along the river or even LOOK at the waterfall for more than a minute.

Hiking along the river

Instead, I recommend doing what we did which was, hike along the river, to both waterfalls and all the way to Clear Lake. The loop that we did was exactly 6 miles roundtrip. The terrain was mostly flat, with little elevation gain overall.

We started at Koosah Falls, hiked along the river .4 miles to Sahalie Falls.

Sahalie Falls- meaning "Heaven" in Chinook jargon

From Sahalie Falls we hiked .6 miles to the Clear Lake fork. we went left on the Clear Lake trail for 2.6 miles (you can go left or right, both will take you a full loop around the lake).

The Boat Launch at Clear Lake
Rentals: $15/hr, $30/day

 Eventually you reach the Resort and Boat launch area of the lake. We had lunch at the little restaurant (about $8.00 a plate) and you can also rent a rowboat ($15/ 1hr. or $30 all day). Next time we go I really want to get on that water, you can see straight to the bottom.











The water that fills the lake is sourced from snow runoff from nearby Mount Washington and the surrounding areas. The runoff filters through underground caverns for more than 20 years before emptying into Clear Lake. Hence the crystal clear water.  The lake is 100 feet deep in some spots, and you can see all the way down. In some spots you can see the old forest that is 3,000 years old and completely submerged. 

The Great Springs that feeds Clear Lake,
the water is filtered for 20 years before emptying into the lake.

After lunch at the restaurant, we continued on the trail along the edge of lake. On the backside of the lake we saw The Great Springs that feeds Clear Lake, and many volcanic rock formations.

Eventually we returned to the fork. The entire loop around the lake is 4 miles. From there, we hiked back to the waterfalls. 

Map of Clear Lake,
The restaurant is located at marker 2
http://visitmckenzieriver.com/new/component/k2/item/33-clearlake

 To get to Sahalie and Koosah Falls + Clear Lake....

Drive on Hwy 126, the location is 86 miles  northeast of Eugene in total. 

From Eugene/ Springfield, drive 52 miles from to the town of Mckenzie Bridge. Once you get to the (small) city of McKenzie Bridge, go 17 miles further.

Turn left at the Ice Cap Campground/ Koosah Falls sign. The Sahalie Falls Day Use Area is another 1/2 mile north of this turn off. Clear Lake is another 1/2 mile up the Hwy 126 (I recommend you hike there instead).

Succulents found in volcanic rock

Rapids along the Mckenzie River