Day 6: We left Eugene and took Interstate 5 South to
Roseburg (distance 60 miles), a small nondescript city where we turned east on Route
138, one of the most scenic highways in the United States.
Eugene
The route across State Road 138 is mapped in blue. We entered Crater Lake National Park
after visiting Diamond Lake and entered the park from 138. However, we exited
the park using the South Entrance which placed us on Route 62 to Klamath Falls
(marked in red).
Oregon’s many rivers and lakes make it relatively easy to
plan drives that will follow water features.
Route 138 follows the Umpqua River and National Park from
Roseburg until the Crater Lake Park entrance.
The waterfall is one of the many attractions that await a
Route 138 cruise.
This Umpqua River pool is accompanied by a natural sand
beach – yes, the water is that blue – green.
View of Cascade Mountains from entrance to Crater Lake. Snow fields were still fairly deep on
May 25 as we entered main park gate.
View of Crater Lake from Lodge patio.
Route 62 follows Upper Klamath Lake for most of the ride
into Klamath Falls.
The first question I asked the desk clerk of the Olympic Inn
when we arrived there for the evening was; “Where are the falls?”
One is not quite prepared for the answer. “There are no falls – they damned the
Klamath River some years ago and ended the waterfall.”
A very surprised “Oh.” Is the usual reply according to the
desk clerk.
Klamath Falls, population 21,000, was celebrating Memorial
Day – many of the better restaurants were closed, including Mr. B’s, a highly
rated steak house. We searched for
nearly a half hour to find a desirable establishment and finally stumbled upon
the Klamath Basic Brewing Company, a brew pub with a very good kitchen.
The brews were hearty, the food quite good, and the fellow
bar patrons very friendly. They
patrons supplied helpful information about the next day’s ride – Leg #5: From
Klamath Falls to Bend: Rogue and Deschutes River Drive.