Logging near Blue Pool

A salvage operation near a popular trail has some upset at the results.

The trail to Tamolitch Pool is back open to hikers after a recent closure for a Forest Service salvage project, and not everyone is pleased with the results.

Tamolitch Pool, also known as Blue Pool or Blue Hole, is a quiet pool of deep blue water at the base of a mostly dry waterfall; the McKenzie river rushes out of the pool at its base. A scenic trail to the pool starts near Trail Bridge Reservoir and winds along next to the river through old-growth Douglas fir and over lava flows for about two miles. That trail was closed to hikers for several weeks during weekdays earlier this summer while the Forest Service salvage logged downed and damaged trees. 

The original logging plan called for the project to take place in April to control a bark beetle infestation. Instead it occurred in late summer, which affected recreation. 

Oregon Wild’s Chandra LeGue says she is “disappointed” in the aftermath of the logging. On a recent trip to the popular hiking area along the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail, Oregon Wild’s staff found the stump of a logged old-growth tree, damage to nearby trees, torn up trees and soil and exposed mineral soils.

Forest Service told LeGue that “they are not done with mitigation and rehab post-logging.” The USFS plans to re-seed the area with native vegetation and remove residual paint from trees that were marked during the logging.