Vicinity Location:
About 156 miles south of Portland, OR in the Umpqua National Forest.
Directions:
From Roseburg, OR, take OR-138 east / northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard. Continue on Highway 138 to milepost 61.3. Turn south off Highway 138 onto Forest Road 37 (Fish Creek Road), approximately 0.25 mile east of the east entrance to Toketee Ranger Station. The parking area is about 0.2 mile on the right.
There is a restroom at the trailhead.
No permits are needed to park here.
Length and Elevation:
Total distance is 0.8 miles. Elevation at the trailhead is 2,756 feet. Ascent 512 ft, descent 512 ft, maximum elevation 2,756 ft, minimum elevation 3,412 ft.
Trail:
Watson Falls Trail #1496
Trail Maps:
Topo Map,
Download Garmin .gpx file,
Open Garmin .gpx file
Review: June 10, 2022
Go to the top of the parking lot and you’ll see the stairs leading up for the beginning of the trail. You soon cross the road and enter into a forest of pine trees, Douglas fir and Hemlock.
The ground is covered with Oregon grape, trillium, vine maple,, and salal.
Once across the road continue to climb moderately steeply on the wide well packed Trail.
The tread soon becomes narrower and rockier climbing switchbacks alongside the stream.
Cross on a very nice foot bridge over the roaring stream stopping to enjoy your view as of water rushes beneath you.
Climb up above the rushing stream as you approach the waterfall Overlook.
The trail becomes rockier and muddier approaching the upper viewpoint of the waterfall rocks are slippery so take care stepping on the uneven surfaces.
The waterfall shoots over the edge of the basalt cliff and plunges down onto the rocks below.
Stand a while in the cool mist from the waterfall then return down to the loop Trail Junction and take a left which drops down fairly steeply with a few switchbacks and comes down to the paved road.
At the road turn right and walk down about 200 feet to the other first part of the loop and then back down the stairs to the parking lot.
This trail is safe for older children and dogs though there are some drop offs and slippery places along in the trail.
Enjoy the photos!!
Gallery Pics
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