Ouzel Pool

Ouzel Pool

Ouzel Pool on an unnamed tributary of Mountain Ash Creek in Yellowstone National Park
Ouzel Pool on an unnamed tributary of Mountain Ash Creek in Yellowstone National Park

Ouzel Pool must not be missed if you are hiking to Union Falls! It only adds about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to your hike.

Somewhere above Ouzel Pool a warm spring feeds this creek. When I was on staff at Camp Loll, we called it Scout Pool. It's a swimming hole that, by my estimation, is about seven feet (2 m) deep, and 20 feet (6 m) in diameter before continuing over ankle deep bedrock shelf and continuing downstream.

There's a large rock off to the right where you can jump into the pool. Strong swimmers find it challenging to swim upstream from the rock shelf towards the falls. At the falls, you can sit on rocks and lean back, letting the water rush over you. Inexperienced swimmers can enjoy Ouzel Pool by sitting on the bedrock shelf and dangling their feet into the pool.

Early in the season, the waterflow is stronger and colder due to winter runoff. Later in the season (late-August and on), the waterflow is better with a water temperature more like tepid bath water.

Caution!

I highly discourage anyone from jumping anything but feet first into the pool. Cannonballs are usually your safest jumping entry. In late-June 2012, a youth leader injured himself by diving into the pool. Luckily for him, it was on a day of the week that Camp Loll staff was guiding scouts on hikes and they were able to radio to camp and call for help. He had to be carried about 2–3 miles (3–5 km) down to near the ranger's cabin to a medical helicopter that transported him to a hospital in Rexburg, Idaho. His group was not attending Camp Loll.

In 2012, I had to help a swimmer who tried to swim upstream to the falls. The water started pushing him under as he approached the falls.

Photo Gallery 
Enjoying Ouzel Pool while sitting on the rock shelf