The spectacular North Umpqua River Waterfalls

Toketee Falls

Perhaps no other stretch of highway in southern Oregon can boast so many waterfalls as route 138 east from Roseburg Oregon to Diamond Lake at the top of the Cascade Mountains.  while there are many waterfalls off the main route, many still lie within a short distance from 138.

As you drive east from Roseburg, you'll first encounter rolling hills and farmlands.  about 20 miles from Roseburg, you'll cross the Little River.  This confluence of the Little River and the North Umpqua is known as Colliding Rivers, the only place in the world where two rivers meet head-on.  There is a good deal of interesting information at the Forest Service station here, revealing some startling facts about flood events during the past century.  The kiosks also serve up lots of information about the native peoples that lived in the area.
But our interest today is in the waterfalls east of Glide.  The first encounter is Susan Creek Falls.  The trail to the falls is on the north side of the highway and a turnout to a small parking area is convenient if you happen to be amenable to hiking the 1-mile trail to the falls.  The path is gentle and is ADA accessible.

Susan Creek Falls

The falls drops some 50 feet into a cool, clear pool below.  Best viewing times are early or later in the afternoon, for some special lighting effects on the falling water.

Trail to Fall Creek Falls

Not far east of Susan Creek is Fall Creek Falls, a double-tiered falls of approximately the same height.  One interesting feature of this trail, which is slightly more difficult than Susan Creek, is the huge rocks  near the bottom of the trail.  There is also a small parking area here, and during busy times, it may be difficult to find parking.

Fall Creek Falls

At the beginning of the trail is a small footbridge across Fall Creek and the hiker can find restroom facilities here.  Two other features of this area are the Devil's Post Pile, a lava formation on the right side of the trail about 2/3 of the way to the top, and an archeological site above Susan Creek Falls.  The trail continues beyond the falls and on up the mountainside to an area where Earlier Americans paid tribute to their fallen.

Watson Falls

Between Fall Creek and the top of the Cascades ore several more waterfalls.  The more spectacular is Toketee, but Watson Falls is the highest in Southern Oregon.  The trail is a short 1/4 mile from the parking area and follows both sides of the stream.  When the hiker is nearly at the top, a footbridge connects the two sides and continues on to the base of the 276-ft falls. 
Approximately 66 miles from Roseburg is Whitehorse Falls, the shortest of the group along this stretch.  It is not far off the highway, and there is parking within a short distance from the falls. A word of caution here.  Take and use insect repellent here, you're going to need it.

Whitehorse Falls

Further on up the highway, you'll encounter Clearwater Falls, which is the purest water cascading over lava boulders into a crystal clear stream.  Here there is camping and restroom facilities.  The falls is visible from the parking area.
Two more falls are located off the highway near Lemolo Lake but the hike is further and we'll cover those on another day.
Hope you enjoyed this adventure and I appreciate you letting me do the driving.
For more adventures into the wilds of Oregon, check out my website at http://www.rmkproductions.org/ and follow some of the hiking trails around the State of Oregon at http://oregonstrails.blogspot.com/