Hi John Williams with another Accessible Adventure in The Pacific Northwest. Did you know Oregon
is the nation's leader in National Scenic Byways. Well this time, on Accessible Adventures,
we travel the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway. People have been coming here for generations
to connect with the natural beauty and recreational activities available here.
Our journey begins in Roseburg, and 170 miles later, concludes in the friendly town of Gold
Hill. There are three sections of the Scenic Byway, Highways 138, 230, 62, and 234. Plan
on spending the entire day to make the trip, or spend more time and make it a multi-day
adventure.
Heading east out of Roseburg on 138, our first stop is Colliding Rivers, in the small town
of Glide. It's where the North Umpqua River and the Little River collide. One of the few
places on the planet, where rivers meet head on. Be sure to visit the historic, Colliding
Rivers Information Center, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, in 1938. It's open Memorial
Day through Labor Day.
Hikers love the fact that the North Umpqua Trail follows the river for 79 miles, and
parts of the trail are accessible. This is the Tioga Bridge, it leads to the trail. This
part of the trail is not wheelchair accessible, but our more mobile friends can enter here.
The Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway is commonly called the "highway of waterfalls" because
of the spectacular falls available here. And several are very accessible, like here at
Whitehorse Falls, where a paved trail, leads us to falls!
And a few miles up the Scenic Byway, it's Clearwater Falls.
Just passed mile post 58, and a little way off the Scenic Byway, we find Toketee Falls,
and Toketee Lake. The Forest Service in cooperation with Pacific Corp, provides camping, fishing,
hiking and plenty of site seeing. You may even want to try your luck fishing from this
accessible deck here at Toketee Lake.
Nestled between Mt. Bailey and the lightning rod spire of Mt Thielsen we find sparkling
Diamond Lake. Recreational possibilities here are endless. There's a resort, camping...fishing...and
hiking, including an 11 mile paved path around the lake. It becomes a cross country ski trail
in the winter.
This is Diamond Lake View Point. Perfect for a picnic or to just snap a few photos of this
brilliant scenery. The US Forest Service provides interpretive talks during the summer.
Leaving Diamond Lake, the scenic byway takes a turn, past the north entrance to Crater
Lake National Park. It's well worth your time to detour off the Scenic Byway and take in
this national treasure.
Back on The Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway on 230, Upon entering the Rogue River-Siskiyou National
Forest, our next stop is The Rogue Gorge Viewpoint. Where the Rogue River carves its way through
rock beds of ancient lava flows.
And not far away, it's The Natural Bridge Viewpoint. An accessible paved trail takes
us to the river side, where the Rogue disappears through a lava tube, creating the natural
bridge.
Oregon Route 230 eventually becomes Oregon Route 62
And finally, Oregon Route 234 travels through rolling oak woodlands, past Table Rocks, rejoining
The Rogue, in the town of Gold Hill.
We have barely scratched the surface of all the things that are available to do and see here. I'm John Williams,
encouraging you to visit the website, and then come out and enjoy the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway.
I'll see you next time, for another Accessible Adventure!