"adjgiulio" wrote:
>I'm headed to Oregon for the Labor Day weekend and I've a couple of
>questions that you may help me with.
>
>Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway: I'll be likely driving only the Rosemburg-Crater
>Lake part. Could you advise me on not-to-be-missed spots? I'm surely
>stopping at Toketee Falls, Watson Falls and Colliding Rivers. Do you have
>any other suggestions? How's likely going to be the flow of those falls?
>
>Silver Falls SP: I'm thinking of hiking the Trail of Ten Falls. How can I
>expect the falls' flow to be in this period?,
Greetings,
We recently spent three weeks camping, hiking and sightseeing along
the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, and would offer the following tips:
Starting from Roseburg, be sure to stop at the Umpqua National Forest
Service Visitor's Center in Glide (just east of Roseburg) and get the
free pamphlets they have on the attractions on Route 138. There's lots
to see at the higher elevations where it will preferred because it
will be much cooler than the lower end. The area around Toketee Lake
is especially lovely and there is a District Ranger Station there for
specific information on that area.
Toketee Falls is gorgeous, but other falls nearby include Watson and
Lemolo (the latter includes a nice 2-mile hike down the North Umpqua
River from near Lemolo Lake). If you like hiking, the North Umpqua
Trail runs about 75 miles, and can be done in segments. Along the
trail are waterfalls, hot springs, and lovely riverside walking.
Lemolo Lake itself will be crowded with power boaters, jet skiers,
etc. on Labor Day weekend. Continuing south from there, however, the
scenery around Diamond Lake (which also will be very busy) is more
open and spectacular. There are many hikes in that section, including
a challenging one up to the needle top of Mt. Thielsen.
Going to Crater Lake would be a side trip, and right now there is lots
of building and road construction that makes things there slow and
difficult. The worst roadwork is west on Route 62 from Mazama, so I
would suggest avoiding that (normally a nice loop can be done by
taking that route west to the Rogue River, then heading up Route 230
to Diamond Lake). Best to go back out the way you came in, IMO
Let me know if you need further details on any of the above.
Caveat
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