![]() It would have been the perfect trip if we had the trailer. ![]() The upper tier has another, smaller hot pool, access to the McKenzie River trail, fields for play and a Japanese garden to explore. It is perched up on a hill behind the lodge and also houses many cabins (that seem to have better reviews). The campground was fantastic looking, with some great sites. Bringing our own food and accommodations. ![]() It's a spa lodge room straight from the 80's.īecause there is also a campground here, and there's not really any food close-by, we will surely opt to camp here next time (oh yes, we're going back). The bed was comfy, and the bathroom was doable, but if you're a clean-freak, like me, you'll find things to activate your OCD. Its cord couldn't reach any outlets though. The room had a lot of potential with a huge stone fireplace on the back wall. It was not wood burning, but instead filled with a small electric heater. We checked in, with great, friendly service (contrary to reviews), and headed to the room. People were having fun, so thumbs up already. When we pulled up, we saw huge timber beams at the front of the lodge and wood carvings of bears on the benches outside, where people were taking selfies. The reviews on the lodge and service were not so great, so we arrived with somewhat low expectations. We usually like to camp, but we had already winterized our little trailer, so we got a lodge room and brought our little 4-footed friend, Rogen along for the ride. I left after another 0.5 hours & the rest in the shuttle still had not showed up.We recently took a weekend birthday trip to Belknap Hot Springs. We had beer on the porch for over an hour before next next 2 showed up. As a point of reference, all 3 of us race in the west - not at a high level but are fit. The flattish downhills require pedaling - so you are pedaling most of the ride- unlike many rides which are pedal the uphill, no pedal the downhill - this takes its toll on your legs over the hours.ĥ) Put it all together & it is the reason most of us ride - not to be missed.īe prepared for a big ride. The first 10 miles aren't entirely technical, but when they get technical, it requires big efforts if you want to try cleaning those sections. I recommend this as a bucket list trail for several reasons:ġ) Scenery : lakes, waterfalls, the river, old growth forest (endless), lava flowsĢ) Variety : smooth, duffy sections, steep technical sections, lava flow sections (rolling technical sections), log bridges, climbs, etc.ģ) Challenge : Even though this is net downhill, there is very little of the trail that doesn't demand your attention - lots of little chicane turns around trees, little rooty, rocky sections, big drop offs / very steep cross slopes, tight tree chokes, etc. You will the McKenzie River trail on almost all top 10 trails list & this is legit. Question whether trail bikes should be allowed on this section of the trail because there are so many hikers and the users range from children to seniors. Mostly they were walking their bikes because of the rough and narrow trail but one large group of 6-8 was riding fast near the bottom and almost knocked my wife off the trail because she did not hear them coming. Lots of foot traffic on this popular and well known trail so I was surprised to see a number of trail bikers along the way. The pool itself is beautiful and well worth the hike but don't expect to cool your feet in the (very cold) water unless you're game for another 40 minutes to hike across and down to the pool. The first third of the trail is nice and easy along the river, the next third starts to get a bit rough and climbs a bit and the last third is definitely rough and climbs over a large basalt formation with lots of twists and turns, rock outcroppings narrow passages and fewer river views. Not bad for age 70 or so with no recent hiking experience. We hiked the 4-mile+ round trip from the trailhead to the blue pool in about one hour and 5 minutes each way.
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