In the July 2011 edition of RV Life you will find an article entitled Take a Waterfall Tour http://www.rvlife.com/Travel/take-a-waterfall-tour.html which covers twenty four waterfalls in a concentrated region of the Umpqua National Forest. Waterfalls are just part of the story.
There are other water related attractions in the area worth mentioning.
The Umpqua Hot Springs are geothermal pools located above the North Umpqua River at an elevation of 2,640 ft. Two oval shaped pools are available for soaking your weary bones. The larger pool measures five by eight feet with a water temperature of 110° F. and is covered with a wooden enclosure. The smaller upper pool is warmer measuring four by five feet with a water temperature of 112° F. The depth of each pools is approximately two and a half feet. A NW Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead.
If manmade features rather than natural water attractions are more to your liking, be on the lookout for small hydroelectric plants scattered throughout the region. Unlike larger hydroelectric projects that feature dams to impound rivers and create the required fall to generate electricity, the hydro plants in this area make use of the natural escarpments that form the many waterfalls. Don’t be surprised to find penstocks dropping from the heights above to small generating plants throughout the forest.
Oh and I would be amiss if I failed to mention the numerous rustic campgrounds throughout the area as well. Check them out at :http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/umpqua/recreation/camping/index.shtml
Finally, be forewarned that clothing is optional at the hot springs!
Now that you know the rest of the story, enjoy your visit to the Umpqua National Forest.
Waterfalls and nudity, just another adventure in RVing!
The Hot Springs
Random Penstocks
Lots of Cascading Water.
Follow Dave’s RV adventures as he travels the West in search of forgotten and unique places. For Dave, home is where you park it, the more remote the better!
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