HIGHWAY OF WATERFALLS

UMPQUA RIVER SCENIC BYWAY

Activity: Day Hike, Scenic Views, Chasing Waterfalls

1 mile, 130′ elevation gain, < 1hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: September 18, 2025

My ‘epic roadtrip’ from SoCal to the Pacific Northwest took to me to many spectacular places with so many extraordinary views. Toketee Falls with it’s approximately 120′ drop over two sections was not the tallest or the most powerful waterfall of my trip, but it will forever be etched in my mind and in my soul.

Toketee Falls and it’s setting defines beauty, splendor and magnificence. It simply takes your breath- stripping away all worry and woe. Your eyes get big, a feeling of calm settles over you and time stops.

Located in the Umpqua National Forest along Oregon’s stunning Highway of Waterfalls the hike to Tokeete Falls is about a mile through a wonderful old growth forest of Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock and Red Cedar. Staircases, footbridges and a viewing platform at the end makes it a short moderate little hike.

In the Native American Chinok language “Toketee” means “pretty or graceful.” Pretty and graceful are just the start of the superlatives attempting to describing this amazing vision. I am here to say that the Ancient People as well as Modern Man cannot easily paint the picture in words to describe the feeling and the beauty of this incredible natural phenomenon.

From the observation deck Toketee Falls plunges 120′ into a stadium of columnar basalt rock. I noticed a couple of risk-taking 20 somethings sneaking through the fence at the observation deck to go down to the falls. Fool-heartedly I attempted to follow the daredevils using a ratty rope tied onto a root making my way down a near vertical cliff. I went down the first sketchy section then regained my wits after seeing the next section was even worse realizing I was not 20. People have died trying to get a better look at this falls. So such shenanigans is not advised. Still afterwards I wished I had finished going down the cliff.

After a day of chasing waterfalls it was time to find a dispersed campsite in the Umpqua National Forest. I headed down a Jeep Trail past Umpqua Hot Springs, which was to be the next days event. Further and further I four-wheeled down this desolate logging road. It became a bit worrisome when I saw trees that had fallen from the hillside above across parts of the trail. I could get around them, however what if one fell during the night and completely blocked the Jeep Trail? A number of trees looked rather precarious along with boulders and the like.

I scouted a couple spots where I could pull in off of the road and found one that was perfect. I could tuck in nicely and far enough that I would not easily be spotted from the dirt road. It was in beautiful forest, had plenty of space for my rig and even had a fire ring. Hunters or someone had used this spot before. I did not start a fire as I wasn’t sure if it was allowed during the Summer, plus I would be ready to turn in as soon as the long shadows of evening turned into the black of night. Tomorrow would come early and there were more Adventures to Pursue.

From the moment I saw a picture of Toketee Falls I knew that I had to travel there and experience it for myself. Toketee Falls is simply magical and the basalt rock framing it makes it both lovely and picturesque in the most unique manner. Thanks for joining me chasing waterfalls in the captivating Umpqua National Forest. Tokeete Waterfall is a stress reducer, gazing out at the falls lowers anxiety, improves your mood scientifically by lowering cortisol while increasing dopamine. This is what ‘Pursuing Balance Thru Adventure’ is all about. This is what Nature can do for you. However, when you listen to the thundering falls, and take in the visually stunning beauty of the waterfall you aren’t contemplating the scientific effects this scene has on your psyche because you are too busy being bewitched by it’s magnificence. Oregon’s Highway of Waterfalls has more wonders in-store just ahead so stick around by doing a couple easy tasks,  FOLLOW, SHARE, COMMENT, and LIKE.  If you are ready to find an adventure there are plenty to inspire in the menu above. Each of the locations is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED Independently. Be sure to visit SHOP APPAREL for all your Adventure Wear needs, plus it helps support this PBTA initiative.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure