Sparkling rivers, magnificent waterfalls, a lava field, and an historic remount station
all in store on this Accessible Adventure in the Pacific Northwest. Hi there I'm John
Williams, join me for a trip along a beautiful scenic byway in the Willamette National Forest.
The McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway is an 82 mile loop, but for this adventure,
we'll concentrate on the McKenzie River Valley and the route's western segment. 50 miles
east of Springfield on highwy 126 it's the McKenzie River Ranger District office and
Scenic Byway Portal. The US Forest Service is on hand with information and advise to
make your trip a pleasant one.
A short drive from the Byway Portal we find the McKenzie River Viewpoint.
There's a viewing area, right on the river just a short hike down this trail.
Our next two sites are show stoppers! Breathtaking waterfalls just a mile a part.
The Chinook Indian Peaople named the falls Koosah which
means sky, and Sahalie meaning heaven. Here at Koosah the flat rock entrance to the
pathway is an obstacle and the gravel pathway to the falls is steep and not suitable for wheelchairs.
Sahalie Falls is much more accessible with
an easy access along a paved pathway to an accessible viewing deck.
A few miles east of Sahlie Falls it's Fish Lake. The lake disappears in the summertime
but returns in the fall. And don't worry about the fish they swim upstream and return when
the lake fills back up again.
Be sure to take the short hike to view the
historic remount station built in the mid 1800's as a way station along the Santiam
Wagon Road. The pathway is difficult in a manual chair powerchairs and more mobile hikers
will find it an easy short walk. In later years the Forest Service used it as a ranger
outpost and constructed many of the now historic buildings in the 1920's and 30's.
The entire remount station was just listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A 22 mile scenic drive along highway 242 brings us to the Dee Wright Observatory.
Built during the Great Depression by the CCC and named for the construction crews' foreman.
The US Forest Service has done a great job here to make it accessible. Follow the pathway to the observatory.
From the observatory views of the lava fields and surrounding mountains.
And then venture out onto the lava fields on the Lava River Interpretive Trail which is also accessible.
The road to the observatory has weather restrictions
so be sure to check the Willamette National Forest website for details.
And you can see all of our Accessible Adventures videos right here.
I'm John Williams I'll see you next time!