Oregon has a lot of log trucks. It seems like half the traffic in the National Forests is long, log-loaded semis, twisting down narrow, two-lane roads to some unforeseen destination in the valley. And get out of their way because they’re really rolling and they don’t want to get behind some camper-van that is strolling through the forest!
Day two in Oregon took me over the Cascade Mountains to Willamette NF. I drove farther than I normally do because I was leery of the weather in the mountains and didn’t want to get caught in some freakish snowstorm. I found a forest road that went by a closed campground and then opened up to a level spot by a bridge where I parked for the night. It rained all night and I didn’t see another soul. I woke very early in the morning and drove carefully in the dark, fearing a mudslide that would bury the road. The log truck drivers were not worried, however, as they sailed by me like I was standing still.
Day three took me south on I5 to Roseburg, OR where I turned east on 138 into the Umpqua NF (I love saying that name!). I couldn’t pass by Sutherlin, OR without stopping to take a look at the Escapee Park where Richard and Dianna have their name on a list for a permanent site. It is a beautiful spot, nestled in a valley and surrounded on three sides by trees. I’m sure they will have fun exploring all the back roads and coastal attractions.
In the Umpqua NF I pulled onto a forest road that followed the Umpqua River and in less than a quarter-mile came to a campground. There were several campers there already, and although it wasn’t a designated campground, had numbered sites and a vault toilet. I took the last site.
I walked over to the toilet and noticed a sign tacked to the door saying it was closed because of the shutdown, but the door was open and everyone there was using it. I’m not sure why they didn’t lock the door; maybe they didn’t want people pooping by the river, or maybe closed meant no toilet paper, or maybe the ranger was a good guy and left it open. I walked a way on the trail that follows the river through a stand of giant redwoods and on the way back stopped to talk with one of the campers.
I could tell that he had been there a long time. He had several tarps strung up from trees and camping gear was scattered all over. When I got closer I saw that he had laid in a huge supply of firewood. Two cats ran around the camp like it was their back yard.
“How long have you been here?” I asked.
“Most of the summer. About 2 ½ months, I guess.”
I tried to be diplomatic, “Don’t the rangers tell you you have move after a couple of weeks?”
“Naw! They changed that rule. You can stay in the forest in the same spot for as long as you want now!” He seemed convinced so I let it go.
I had intended to travel down the coast of Oregon but bad weather changed my mind. Every morning the sky was overcast and fog drifted through the trees. I didn’t want to drive along the ocean and not see anything so I left Umpqua NF and drove the interstate south to Grants Pass where I took 199 towards Crescent City, CA. Ten miles short of Crescent City, I pulled up a road in the Six Rivers NF. As the road climbed higher and higher into the mountains, I was sure I would be able to communicate with the outside world, but even when I was at the very top, with views in all directions, I got nothin’. It was a nice campsite though!
Where is this?
This morning I drove through Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. I may go back and stay one night in the campground even though it is expensive. The redwood trees take my breath away! They are so….. BIG! You feel so insignificant as you walk among them.
The Walmart in Crescent City has no signs that prohibit overnight parking. It will give me a chance to catch up on my blog, watch a little TV, and see how the debacle in congress is progressing. They must have settled this shutdown by now, right?
You’re wandering many of the same places we did last year. It’s a beautiful part of the country. We did a loop from Red Bluff to Eureka, Crescent City, Grants Pass and back to Red Bluff on the motorcycle last year. Highway 36 between Red Bluff and Eureka is one of the best motorcycle roads in the country. Just keep moving so moss doesn’t get a chance to grow on you.
Your right about the moss, it reminds me of Maine. But it is beautiful, like bright carpet on the trees. I wish it were a little warmer so I could ride more. I will definitely be back someday!
Where are you, Forest Hopper?