Whole Zine

© Mike & Maureen
© Travel Oregon
© Team Danger
Diamond Lake
Rogue Valley
North Umpqua River
1Roseburg
The trip begins in Roseburg, a town built up by the lumber
industry, and now a popular recreational center. Covered bridges,
mid-1800s restored homes and the nationally acclaimed Douglas
County Museum of History and Natural History give Roseburg
historic appeal. If time permits, tour some of the region’s eight
wineries, which produce Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer,
Reisling, Zinfandel and Cabernet sauvignon varietals. From
Roseburg, the byway heads east on Oregon Route 138 through
scenic, oak-dotted hills.
2Up The North Umpqua
As you head east, the forest will thicken, the air will cool, and
you’ll soon hear the rush of water. Check out Colliding Rivers in
the community of Glide, where the North Umpqua and Little River
converge in a fury of white water; it’s one of the few places in the
world where rivers meet head-on.
From here, the byway parallels the wild and scenic North
Umpqua, considered by many as one of the most beautiful rivers
in America. Driving along the North Umpqua, you’ll pass anglers
flyfishing for steelhead or salmon, whitewater rafters, kayakers,
and numerous areas for taking in the scenery or enjoying a hike.
If you’re inclined to stretch your legs, the well-maintained
North Umpqua Trail follows the east bank of the river for 79 miles.
Divided into 11 segments from over three to just under 16 miles in
length, the trail leads high into the Cascade Mountain Range, and
connects with the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.
Near Steamboat, check out the Mott Bridge, a recognized
Oregon Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Constructed by the
Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935-36, the bridge is the only
surviving example of three such structures built at that time in the
Pacific Northwest. This shady route through the Umpqua National
Forest and Roseburg BLM District passes Swiftwater Park, Toketee
Reservoir, and several dramatic formations, including Eagle Rock
and Old Man Rock.
Be sure to visit at least one of the many waterfalls which are
accessible by well-marked and well-maintained trails. Watson
Falls proves to be a more difficult trail, but is the tallest waterfall
in southwest Oregon, with a 272 foot plunge over a basalt lava
cliff and flows to a pool below. A wooden bridge crosses Watson
Creek offering an excellent view the falls. Whitehorse Falls is easiest
to access, and includes a viewing platform. Have your camera
ready; the greens of spring or fall colors along this stretch of road
can be stunning.
3Sparkling Diamond Lake
Once it leaves the North Umpqua, Route 138 turns south to circle
Diamond Lake,a scenic gem nestled between Mt. Bailey and the
lightning-rod spire of Mt. Thielsen. Here you’ll find year-round
resort facilities, including lodging, a marina and horse stables.
In summer and fall, you can fish for stocked rainbow trout or bike
around the lake on a paved path. In the winter the path is transformed
into a groomed cross-country ski trail, and the lake into
a giant ice rink. Mt. Bailey offers outstanding snowcat skiing.
At the southern end of Diamond Lake, Oregon Route 138 rises
toward the east and north entrance of Crater Lake National Park.
The Rogue-Umpqua scenic byway heads west to join Oregon
Route 230. Here you can enjoy unimpeded views of the peaks and
ridges above Crater Lake from the Crater Rim viewpoint. Running
down the Upper Rogue coursing through the Rogue River-Siskiyou
National Forests, Oregon Route 230 merges with Oregon Route
62 near historic Union Creek.
Union Creek is the western terminus of the Fort Klamath Military
Wagon Road, once an important trail for settlers crossing the
Cascades. Union Creek is also the site of a historic resort built
by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The road soon parallels the
wild and scenic upper Rogue River. The upper Rogue, like the
North Umpqua, supports endangered populations of Chinook
and coho salmon, as well as steelhead and cutthroat trout. The
Rogue Gorge and Natural Bridge interpretive sites offer interesting
perspectives of the river as it thunders through deep, narrow
chasms. Under a canopy of conifers between here and Prospect,
you’ll find several riverside campgrounds where you can enjoy the
sounds of the river or hook a few trout.
Wildflowers are abundant along the Upper Rogue, providing
a brilliant contrast to the green of the forests. Lost Creek Lake at
Stewart State Park is popular for boating and waterskiing, among
other outdoor activities. Farther south, Shady Cove is a popular
point of departure for river rafters and anglers setting out to float
the upper Rogue.
4Gold Hill and the Rogue Valley
Oregon Route 234 heads west, rejoining the upper Rogue River
in the town of Gold Hill, the Byway’s southern portal. En route,
Medford BLM and Table Rocks — flat-topped remnants of lava
flows that filled the canyons of the Upper Rogue over seven million
years ago — rise dramatically from the valley with Upper Table
Rock soaring 800 feet. From here, the bustling Rogue Valley cities
of Medford, Ashland, and Grants Pass are less than an hour away.
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