Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool Oregon
Thirty-seven miles west of Sisters, Oregon, in the heart of the Willamette National Forest, is Oregon’s well-known Blue Pool.
The Blue Pool is a round body of water that sits mysteriously at the base of the waterfall, Tamolitch Falls. This body of water isn’t like any other that sits hidden in the forest; it’s a pure, clear, vibrant blue unlike any water you’ve ever seen. The vibrant blue resembles the color of a topaz gem that mesmerizes all who view it.
The water is so pure that it’s eerily deceptive. You heard me right! When water is that pure, the depth is often misjudged. For anyone who has visited Blue Pool will agree that the water only appears to be, at most, five feet deep. The rocks that rest on the bottom of the pool’s earthen floor seem to be so close that you can almost touch them by merely sticking your arm into the water. I am here to tell you that not only is this wrong, but it is dangerous! The true depth of Blue Pool is 30 feet!
You may be asking, “Why Does Blue Pool Seem So Shallow?”
Let me tell you how: Water as pure and cold as that of Blue Pool is free from any type of organism. When water is free from any organism or disturbance, it can appear to be far more shallow than it truly is. In fact, water as pure as Blue Pool’s can seem as if the water doesn’t exist at all! What can appear to be a clean puddle that’s a lovely shade of topaz blue can become your worst nightmare. Yes, looks can be deceiving.
How Cold Is Blue Pool Oregon?
I mentioned that the water is cold; not just chilly but COLD. Even in the warm, summer months, the water temperature of Blue Pool is 38 degrees Fahrenheit. The water is not quite warm enough to be ice, but it’s not warm enough to prevent hypothermia. If you’re planning a trip to Blue Pool, please do not jump in the water or swim (at least in the winter). The risk of getting acute hypothermia is very high. As your warm body becomes submerged in the extremely cold water, it almost immediately goes into shock. Acute hypothermia comes on quickly. To be blunt, people have perished while trying to swim in Blue Pool or by falling in. When your body develops acute hypothermia, it can cause you to lose consciousness and drown.
In addition to the dangers at Blue Pool, it’s very difficult to get help from emergency crews. Since the site is very remote and a long strenuous hike from the highway, it could be hours before emergency crews can get in to help you. And no, it’s not just a simple walk to Blue Pool. Three miles may not seem like a great distance but when there’s rough terrain and a lot of climbing, it can be a great distance when trying to tote rescue equipment.
Furthermore, I don’t recommend anyone to get anywhere near the water’s edge. There aren’t any sturdy banks to stand upon near the water’s edge. And should you accidentally take a stumble into the 30 foot watery abyss, no one would be able to easily pull you out without also stumbling in there with you. Do not ever think for one minute that the water depth has decreased because it never decreases. Should you desire to visit this beautiful, unique place on Earth, I recommend that you do so from a safe distance. It can offer you the moment of a lifetime by simply viewing the remarkable beauty of the water’s deep, topaz blue and it’s crystal clear purity. If anything, take your camera or smartphone and capture incredible photos to forever document your once-in-a-lifetime moment with nature.
So, why does Blue Pool have such cold and pure water? What makes it so blue?
That’s a great question! The water from Blue Pool comes from underground where it has been purified by the rocks and sediment underneath the surface of the Earth. It’s constantly in circulation from its underground source. This also explains why the water is so cold; it comes fresh from underground. When water is that cold, it makes it difficult for organisms to survive.
So There Are No Fish In The Blue Water?
No, there are no fish in Blue Pool. Again, the water is so cold and so isolated from any other bodies of water that no fish live there. And even if fish did live in Blue Pool, what organisms could they feed upon? This is what makes the water so pure; there are no organisms living in the water. There is no mud to be shaken up from the floor of the pool. The water is undisturbed and freely existing. This detail is yet another reason to its depth deception.
If you’re planning a trip to Oregon or already live in Oregon and looking for a new adventure, the Blue Pool at Tamolitch Falls is a great place! Be smart, safe and responsible and don’t get near the water. Prepare yourself for a true hike and for the sight of the most beautiful, dream-like water. Keep in mind that the hike to Blue Pool is not for casual walkers or strollers; it is the real deal.
How Long Is The Hike To Blue Pool Oregon?
How Far Is Blue Pool From Eugene?
The pool is exactly 1 hour and 15 minutes (66.8 mi) from Eugene Oregon via OR-126 E.
