TOKETEE FALLS

One of my favorite waterfall trails is the one to Toketee Falls located off Hwy 138 between Diamond Lake and Roseburg on the Umpqua National Forest in southern Oregon. This trail was closed for quite a while due to storm damage, but is now back open. Toketee Falls is very unique - it's a multiple falls that cascades over a wall of columnar basalt. The trail ends at a viewing platform where there's a great view of the waterfalls and a small bench to sit and enjoy the beauty of the area. For those interested in photography, best to shoot this falls very early in the morning or late afernoon/early evening otherwise it's hard to hold back the bright highlights of the flowing water, even with a polarizer filter.

For more information on Toketee Falls and other waterfalls on the Umpqua National Forest, contact the Umpqua National Forest Supervisors Office in Roseburg, Oregon.

Fish Lake

Summer has finally arrived here in the Pacific Northwest! I recently stopped by one of my favorite small lakes - Fish Lake - located on Hwy 126, and enjoyed a quiet lunch break. The water on the lake was glassy smooth and offered some wonderful opportunities for photographs that included reflections.

Fish Lake is beautiful anytime of the year, but especially during the fall when the Vine Maple leaves are bright red and orange. Spring and summer bring on a variety of wildflowers and mushrooms, along with birds, deer, elk and more.

This is a very small campground, so come early if you plan to spend some time here. There are nice picnic tables and newer restrooms, along with walking trails and interpretive signs.