Cool off at Lane County's best swimming holes
EUGENE, Ore. -- What can seem like neverending months of Oregon rain eventually give way to some of the most beautiful summer swimming holes. But even these summer delights can contain dangers. Here are some Lane County hot spots -- and some advice from a cooler head about staying safe.
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First up: Triangle Lake
Just north of the lake off Highway 36 are these deep pools, a rope swing, jumping rocks and fish ladders that create mini-waterfalls.
But the main attraction? The Slides.
"It's funner than any waterslide I've gotten on," said Nikki Gore.
The Slides are solid rock with a slip-and-slide effect. One tip: Wear sturdy shorts or you could rip your trunks or get hurt.
This hot spot also has a long list of rules like no dogs, no alcohol, no camping and no glass.
John Miller with Lane County Search and Rescue warns that Triangle Falls, while fun, is also full of dangers.
"Standing up on the way down there is just asking to fall down and get your head injured," he said. "We like people to have fun but just be careful on how you play."
Next up: Wildwood Falls near Cottage Grove.
Folks sunbathe on the rocks, wade in the shallow waters above the falls -- and the wild ones jump right over the 20 foot drop.
What's the technique?
"Just don't hit the rocks!" said Kiah Lawson.
The water is about 15-feet deep.
"Wildwood Falls used to be a very dangerous place," Miller said. "We could count on a drowning very year or two there."
Along the bottom of the falls is a cave Miller said people go down to check out. Some don't come back out.
Alcohol-related deaths also plague the popular spot. Miller advised going in pairs to keep an eye on each other.
So where's the best family-friendly spots?
Miller said some of the safest swimming holes are at Fall Creek, like the one at the Bedrock Campgrounds.
"We don't tend to have as many water-related incidents up there simply because it's not very deep," Miller said.
Fall Creek's shallow waters make it a great spot for kids. A bonus: Miles of hiking trails.
There are dozens of swimming holes around the area, from McKenzie Bridge to Dexter Lake down to the North Umpqua River east of Roseburg.
Some of the fun is in finding them.
Do you have a favorite? Post a comment.
The rock slides at T-lake have been the site of over 15 deaths and countless critical injuries. There are fire calls every.single.day.  to there right now. There is so much glass broken underfoot that the rescues don't want to go down there...and the pot smoking is the very LEAST of the drug problem there. Oh yes, KVAL...let's encourage MORE people to die.Â
@SwiftlyJust Really? That's what you get out of this story?  KVAL Encouraging death?  It looks like you're another local who wants to keep everyone out of your back yard.  Another thing to remember is that mother nature culls a few out of the herd every year and while tragic, it's a necessary part of life.  You nor the nanny state has any business deciding what other people do as long as its not directly hurting you.
 @thisBITES!  @SwiftlyJust Not directly hurting me? You have NO idea.I don't give a flying rip about people in my back yard. Bring them on! Just keep them sober & safe. There is plenty of room to play at the lake and there are 3 public docks to swim from.
What I DO care about is the kids who die there because  people seem to think that this is a good place to play. One of my best friends DIED in the pool at the bottom as we were unable to save him. We kids helplessly watched him drown. Thirty years later, that scene still plays before my eyes every time I drive by there. It plays in my head every time we have a fire call and have to carry a body up the hill. So don't give me your shit about it not hurting me directly.Â
It is NOT a "necessary part of life".
Ah yes the rockslides, Where agents of the police state hide in the bushes on the hillside watching people with binoculars as they crust up thier undies waiting to bust some teenager smoking pot...
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Ahh wildwood... used to be free, then the parasitic govt. made it a fee area, It's great if you like broken glass, cigarette butts, urine smell and dirty diapers...