Umpqua River and hot springs, Tokatee Falls (North Umpqua River)

We headed south to take get some stamps on our Mcmenamins passports. Tim took us on a detour while I was napping and we ended up outside of Roseburg at one of the Umpqua River trailheads. Here you can walk .3 miles to the hot springs, it was perfect weather for a soak. We had been told by several people that this is a "must see" hot spring. I would compare it in cleanliness to Bagby Hot Springs, with less privacy, it is still lovely, Terwilliger hot springs are far nicer if you are trying to decide on the two!



Maggie looking quite elderly!

Hello Magglees.

Tokatee Falls, so very pretty.

North Umpqua River Hydro Project:

http://www.pacificorp.com/es/hydro/hl/nur.html

These flumes are pretty cool, you see them everywhere, there are a total of 8 dams in the hydro system, these flumes were built in the 1940-50s, its amazing how well they have held up, especially being made out of wood boards!

View from just above the falls.

Mag

Trail up to the Hot Springs from parking lot.

One soaking pool inside the shelter, and 3 or 4 others just outside of it that increase in heat as you go down.

In one of the top, outside pools, life is good!

 

You can see as the pools go further down, they get a bit more sulfur, and most people don't go in those closest to the river. This is a view from the river side of the lean-to.

We spent some time in this pool, I have to say, this is one of the dirtier (in regards to graffiti, and people littering) of the hot springs I've seen. It's too bad people don't take better care and pack out, or clean up after themselves.

TERWILLIGER HOT SPRINGS: aka Cougar Hot Springs, Willamette National Forest

Click here for a nice little video of the hot springs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq6tMByQsyM#t=135

Terwilliger Hot Springs, also known as Cougar Hot Springs, is a must-go destination, off the beaten path, if you find yourself in Eugene Oregon, or passing through, its worth the side drive to and soak if you have the time. In fact, damn it,  you should just make the time, you only live twice right?  We were avoiding an icy drive to Bend, OR from Portland, and decided totake the extra long route and head south to Eugene, and head eastbound on Highway 126 (McKenzie Highway) to Bend. We figured it would be the perfect opportunity to sneak in a snowy soak in the hot springs! We still found plenty of snow and ice, but missed the bad stuff. The road to Cougar Resorvoir from HWY 126 (FS-19), gains elevation quite quickly, and if its during the winter, be prepared for snow! It's a beautiful drive, but there's not much of a barrier on those edges, so make sure you are in a rig suitable for the elements.

The first picture is from the parking lot, with a bathroom, and a great view of the reservoir, from there you walk back down the road, over the bridge, to the trail head marker, and fee box. There is sometimes an attendant working the kiosk, otherwise put your $6 (fee price may change), in the box. 

Then hike about 1/4 mile in to the hot springs, there is a covered area to change, (or strip), depending on your fancy. This is a clothing optional hot spring, FYI. We only saw one other couple in the lot, and they were just heading home, other than that we had the place to ourselves! It was so beautiful with all the fresh snow, and the water was perfect. We stayed in the top pool, as they get cooler as they go down, and the warmer the better in my book! Especially on such a chilly day.

Directions Taken from The Friends of Cougar website:

From I-5 or Eugene/Springfield, travel east 45 miles on highway 126 (the McKenzie Highway). 5 miles after Blue River, you'll pass the mile post 45 sign. A half mile later, see the sign for Cougar Reservoir and turn right on FS 19.

From Bend, travel west on highway 20. After 20 miles you will pass through Sisters. After the Santiam Pass, you will stay on highway 20 when highway 22 splits off. Soon after, turn left onto highway 126. After another 40-50 miles you will see the sign announcing McKenzie Bridge. 3 miles later, you'll see Harbick's Country Store on your left. This is the only gas between Sisters and Cougar. Continuing west from Harbick's, go another 2 miles until you see the signs pointing to Cougar Reservoir. Turn left on FS19. (see above for directions once on FS19).

On FS 19 you are entering the Willamette Forest. Turn right at the stop sign. After 4 miles, you will pass the dam on your left. Continue on FS 19. Another 4 miles later, on your right you will pass a trail head sign that says "Terwilliger Hot Springs," the waterfall and lagoon on your right and the parking lot on your left. Park there. Walk to the trailhead (100 yards) when you can pay at the kiosk there.

From the trailhead hike 1/4 mile into the Hot Springs located in the forest.

CRYSTAL CRANE HOT SPRINGS: aka, my favorite place in Oregon.

http://cranehotsprings.com/
59315 Hwy 78
Burns, Oregon 97720

 We try our best to get out here at least twice a year. It's a magical place and has affordable dog friendly cabins right on the hot spring pond ($52-$67 a night with $7.00 dog fee). There is also a large teepee with an optional private tub for $55 a night! Back to the watering hole, it's a hot spring the size of a pond, it's open 24 hours, and you can sneak out any time during the night and float around on your back, getting lost in the infinate stars. It's the closest thing to an out of body experience I think I'll ever have. You truly feel like you are weightless and drifting through the universe. The spring is not quite as hot as some may like it, but you can sit close to the outpour, where it is up there as hot as the rest. Otherwise it is usually somewhere in the department of 98-104 degrees.  If there are too many people in the pond, and you want some privacy, you can rent one of the private soaking tub rooms, complete with candles and towels for $7.50/hour for adults, and  $4.00/hour for children 6 and under.

There is a small shared kitchen on the property, with a dinette, microwave, stove, and shared fridge. There is also a lovely air conditioned and heated commons room with a large fireplace, books, board games, and fresh coffee every day.

You will most likely run in to traveling retirees here, as this is a hot spot for rv'ers on the road. Other then that it seems like a well hidden secret, and a good spot to decompress. There is free wifi for guests, but no televisions or radios in the cabins, feel free to leave your gadgets at home, but bring the gazateer because this is definitely not on a well traveled road!

Your closest "other" amenities are in the town of Burns, OR. There is a Safeway, a friendly family owned mexican restaurant, and our favorite, "The Broadway  Deli". This place has it all, and the sweet and friendly owner/chef/barista is lovely to chat with, and makes the best home made ALL OF THE ABOVE. Plus she caters to vegaterians, etc. You name it, she'll make it. Which is often hard to find in small towns! She also owns the women's clothing consignment shop that's connected to the bakery which is fun to poke around while she's whipping up your grub.

Depending on where you are coming from, the road trip to Crystal Crane can be a beaut. There are several small ghost towns, eateries, breweries, and geographical wonders to visit throughout central and eastern Oregon. On this particular trip, we took Interstate 84 eastbound from Portland to Pendleton to visit the woolen mills. Then stayed a night at Emmigrant Springs State Heritage Area, just west of Pendleton, where you can get a dog friendly cabin for $47. Equipped with space heater, a bunk bed, twin bed, outdoor grill, covered front porch, covered grill, and short lighted walk to the well kept bathrooms/showers. I really liked this place, even with it being so close to the freeway, it was plenty quiet at night! I have a feeling it is busier when they have large group reservations, as there is a community hall, and group camp areas. I picture hundreds of girl scouts, or kids making out in church camp.

We then continued westbound 84 and up 82 towards the towns of Joseph and Enterprise Oregon. I've always wanted to go to Josepth because I've heard they have beautiful turqoise! Plus you get to visit Wallowa Lake which is just too pretty to even describe! From there we drove up the long winding road to Hells Canyon. If you make it to Joseph, go to Hells Canyon, bring your emergency kit, this would be a bummer of a place to break down without your supplies! We meandered our way back down to Burns with a few detours, sevaral wind and lightning storms, and a few stops at broken down houses, and the now and then thrift shop in a constant search for bones!

Yukon and his friend, the pygmy horned toad, grumpy faces.

Fatty Magoo, he's so handsome! Didn't find any bones off the side of the road, but this was even better!

Lighting on HWY 78, about a mile from the springs

My most favoritest place!

That's my head in the water, just southeast of the sun!

The one and only Chloe Breault

Demonstrating the wonder of the Poler Napsack at Hells Canyon

Wallowa Lake, heavy construction on the eastside of the lake, but still some campsites open, and you can rent canoes or paddle boats, and fish right off the dock, if you're in to that kind of thing.

Great little dog friendly cabins at Emigrant Springs Heritage Area

So much history, so many picas, so many gophers, Maggie is going to lose her mind!

This sign is my favorite. Thumbs up Joseph, OR!

We went back for a Crystal Crane visit when Tim's Mom Pauline came to visit in February this year (2014).  The girls sure loved having someone to cuddle up with in the back seat!

Stopped in Deschutes County about 40 miles outside of Molalla, OR. Saw a Rocky Mountain Goat from this lookout point.

Perfect weather for 100 degree hot spring.

Team handstands in the pond!