Watson Falls
Over countless years, Watson Creek etched its way into the lava-capped landform of Fish Creek Desert forming the spacious alcove that is home to Watson Falls.
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| Watson Creek |
The creek and waterfall were named for Robert James Watson, a forest ranger who worked in the area from 1905 to 1911. At 272 feet, Watson Falls is the third-highest waterfall in Oregon.
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| Watson Falls |
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| View from Upper Overlook |
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Top of Waterfall
(a small splash before a very long drop) |
The short trail to two viewpoints goes gradually uphill through old growth forest of fir trees, vine maple, maidenhair ferns, and even a splash of bright color.
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| Forested Trail |
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| Scaly Chanterelle |
Toketee Falls
Arriving at the parking lot and trailhead, you first see a 12-foot diameter redwood-stave water flowline. It is part of the Toketee development that was completed in 1949 as a component of the North Umpqua Hydroelectric Project.
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| Redwood-Stave Pipeline |
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| Multiple Leaks and Ruptures |
The short hike takes you through old-growth forests of Douglas fir, western red cedar, big leaf maple, and Pacific yew.
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| Old-Growth Forest |
The trail roughly parallels the North Umpqua River as it navigates a narrow rock gorge.
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| North Umpqua River |
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| River Flows and Churns within Narrow Channel |
The river then drops 40 feet over a hidden ledge to a secluded cavity before passing through a notch and plummeting another 80 feet.
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| Secluded Cavity |
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| Splashdown! |
Toketee Falls is framed by slender and well-formed columns of basaltic lava. The Chinook word "Toketee" means "pretty."
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| Toketee Falls |
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