Early morning light on the northern Oregon Coast near Pacific City.

The Alsea River offers a leisurely route through farmlands, forest and along a graceful river, a lovely stop at the
Alsea Picnic/Campground where you can view the waterfalls, hike along the river, enjoy a picnic lunch, spend the night ...
I've been there both winter and summer. During summer people play in the water around the falls. In the winter, the park is
yours, the trails are muddy, but still passable, and the waterfall charms with winter's abundance. On the
more mundane, but necessary, level, drinking water and restrooms are provided.

To take this route, travel south from Corvallis, Oregon along Hwy 99W. Find county
road 45120 north of Monroe and head west for 5 miles to Alpine Junction. At Alpine Junction, take the South Fork
Access Road for 9 miles to the falls. Once you're ready to continue your trek to the beach, continue west through the
Coast Range of Oregon. This is a narrow winding BLM road and not a route for someone in a hurry. Rather leisurely, like a stroll
through a park. Enjoy Douglas Firs, some 200 feet tall and as old as 400 years, others newly planted, Red Vine Maple
color the landscape from mid-summer through autumn. Find Hwy 101 and the Pacific Ocean at Waldport,
Oregon from there travel north or south depending on your preference.

Hwy 36 follows a winding creek to Mapleton where it connects with Hwy 126. 126 is the more traveled route, still beautiful, but offering a different experience for the traveler. Hwy 36, like the route along the Alsea River, is definitely not a route for someone intending to get from point A to point B in any hurry. It meanders as water meanders. One point of special interest are the waterfalls. If you want to stop at the waterfall - rock slide, by all means do so. You'll know you've arrived when you come across a sign for a trailhead to the falls. It's on the western end of Triangle Lake. Just pull into what at times may not be an ample parking lot, for this is a popular site, and follow the people. :)

Otherwise, just take your time and enjoy the road that curves as the river meanders. There are many seasonal creeks, Triangle Lake and opportunities to view wildlife .Watch out for deer and elk, specifically. They are known to make use of the Hwy also.

To connect with Hwy 36, travel south from Corvallis, Oregon or north from Eugene on Hwy 99. You'll see the sign for
the beach on Hwy 99 just south of Junction City, which is about 14 miles north of Eugene. Turn west and enjoy.

This route takes the traveler along the 84 mile segment of the Rogue River set aside as wild and scenic,
as well as through the Siskiyou Mountains. I will never forget the first time I took this route to the beach. It was autumn, the first
weekend in October, which is very easy to remember because the hunters were out. But we were sightseers, and that made
our quota easy to achieve. :) We drove through the Siskiyous, along the edge of the gorge. The mountains dropped steeply beside
us and the clouds, while floating above the river, floated below us. It was magical.

When we came down the Rogue presented Hellgate. Don't miss a single moment of this dramatic and beautiful drive. All the while, however, make certain you stay on the right road. Don't go wandering onto any side roads. People can and do get lost up here.

To make this journey: Drive north from Grants Pass, Oregon on Hwy 234 to Merlin/Galice where you'll connect with the Rogue River.
Not long after you'll start climbing into the mountains, heading west on 23 to Gold Beach and the mouth of the Rogue River.

Our Getaways offer written Directions, Maps and suggested scenery, spanning Oregon and northern California;
places Brad and I have visited and loved. These getaways offer simplicity, yet beauty in scenery, waterfalls, hiking trails,
campgrounds, mountains, hot springs, mountain lakes, equestrian trails, mountain biking trails, wild and scenic
rivers, scenic byways, Crater Lake National Park, national monuments & more.

Protect our National Forests and Wilderness Areas. Leave NO Trace!
Be sure to check out fire conditions at the Ranger Station before traveling,
hiking or camping in the forest.

Forward ~ Travel Directions north of Waldport on the Oregon coast.

Back ~ Travel Directions to the South
Umpqua and Waterfalls.

Scenery en route to & on the Oregon Coast. Directions on the coast traveling  north of Florence, and south of Florence.

USFS: Hiking Trails on the Oregon Coast.

Travel Oregon and northern California while staying at Gathering Light ... a retreat
located in southern Oregon near Crater Lake National Park.

Links that pertain to the retreat only open a new window.

Travel to Gathering Light ... a retreat along the Umpqua River; Travel Directions, Map & Scenery.

Directions to & Day Trips of about 100 miles from the retreat.

Little Known Scenic Places near the retreat & Crater Lake: Travel Directions, Map & Scenery.

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Contact Brad at Gathering Light ... a retreat.