Begin your day early and travel the designated National Scenic Byway, Hwy 138, east towards Glide. This route is considered one of the best roads in the nation for scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and is a destination unto itself. Your first stop is the Colliding Rivers viewpoint across from the Forest Service Office. Continue east on Hwy 138 and stop at the many parks and pull-offs to view the magnificent North Umpqua River. For a short hike turn left into the Fall Creek Falls parking lot. Enjoy lunch at the historic Steamboat Inn at milepost 38. Continue east, stopping at Clearwater Falls and Watson Falls. Both are very short distances from the parking areas. Or hike to Toketee Falls, a two-tiered waterfall plunging over a sheer wall of columnar basalt. For a more extensive description and tour of waterfalls along the North Umpqua, see pages 50 and 51. As you approach Diamond Lake, you will see Mt. Thielsen (the lightning rod of the Cascades). Continue past the turnoff for Diamond Lake and enter Crater Lake National Park (page 48 and 49). This entrance is closed during winter months. Food is available at the Crater Lake Village or at the Diamond Lake Lodge. Return to Roseburg by back-tracking along the same route. This is an ambitious 1 day itinerary (over 230 miles round trip) and you may wish to split this into 2 days and camp at one of the campgrounds or get reservations at Diamond Lake or Crater Lake Lodges. The Oregon Winter Driving Guide click here to download pdf file
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