To Begin:
Upon leaving Gathering Light ... a retreat, connect with Hwy 62 and follow it until you reach the south entrance to Crater Lake. Enter the park and travel along the rim. Take either the east or the west rim drive, but exit the park through the north entrance where you'll connect with 138. Turn left to head west.
The Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway at Oregon State Hwy, 138:
Hwy 138 boasts a succession of waterfalls, all marked by signs. Clearwater Fall is the first you'll see, heading west. Deadline Falls, at Swiftwater State Park, near Idlelyd, Oregon, is last. Continue heading west and you'll arrive at the town of Glide where the Little River collides with the North Umpqua head on. If you want to hike to some of the waterfalls in the Little River Watershed, check the hiking trails and the scenery for the Umpqua River watershed.
Take in all the scenic sites and hiking trails you can manage before returning to the retreat. Toketee Waterfall is my favorite overall. It's very difficult to discriminate between the rest of the trails and waterfalls. If walking is a problem, Clearwater and Whitehorse Waterfalls are easily seen. Watson Falls is grand - the height, the breadth of the canyon walls - reminiscent of an amphitheater. Susan Creek Waterfall is beautiful and the trail is wheelchair accessible. Fall Creek Waterfall is also to be recommended, not the least being the waterfall itself, but the trail as well.
Crater Lake National Park:
On the return trip you might choose to enter Crater Lake National Park and travel along the rim drive you didn't choose earlier.
Or continue on the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway, now Hwy 230.
Around the turnoff for Diamond Lake, follow the signs to Medford and head south.
Be sure to look for Mt Thielsen. One of the most spectacular views is behind you as you head south.
Travel further south and you'll see Rabbit Ears on the right.
One summer Brad and I walked through the forest by Rabbit Ears. We were waiting for road construction and this seemed a good use of our time. We came upon the bluff overlooking the Rogue River. It was quite a view. If you decide to do this, remember, there is quite a drop off the edge of that bluff and no markers or fence. Be careful.
National Creek Waterfalls:
The sign for National Creek Waterfalls appears not long after Rabbit Ears. This is another hiking trail, and you may just want to wait and hike this short trail when you do the Diverse Loop Tour. If not, the trailhead is a short drive on a Forest Service road, and the trail an approximate 1/2 mile hike.
The Rogue River:
Continuing on 230, and you'll see the Rogue River in about 3 or 4 miles. There's a pretty cascade on the left. It's the first view you'll get of the Rogue River unless you stop at Rabbit Ears.
Crater Lake Hwy, otherwise known as Oregon State Hwy 62:
In no time, you'll see the signpost for Hwy 62. It travels east over the Cascade Mountains and south to Medford. If you have just a little more time, and are not planning to take the Diverse Loop Tour, you might want to travel a mile or two further south and stop at the wayside at Union Creek to view the Rogue River Gorge. If not, turn east on 62; you'll eventually connect with Hwy 422. Follow Hwy 422 until you arrive in Chiloquin and from there, make your way back to the retreat.
If you're traveling after nightfall, please be on the look out for deer.
