Saturday, September 15, 2012

The Umpqua Scenic Byway - Stop #2

Stop #2 on our exploration of the Umpqua Scenic Byway is the Natural Bridge interpretive site.  There is a paved parking lot, informational maps, facilities and picnic tables all making for a nice place to stop.  There is a paved trail, very easy to walk, that follows the Rogue River to the natural bridge.  You may be thinking you need to spot a bridge at this point, but it's not really what you're looking for.  Instead, the "bridge" is a massive bed of lava rock where the rivers disappears.  The water flows through an underground lava tube and shoots out further down river.  It is mother nature at her finest, creating such wonders!

The paved trail ends but if one is so inclined you can continue to hike the dirt trail to the Rogue River Gorge, or simply turn around and follow the path back to the parking lot. 

An overview of the area.
For those who need to learn a bit more!
The start of the trail.

The first overlook.

The mighty Rogue!

An information placard at the Inlet overview along the trail.

The river disappearing in to the rocks!

Where's the river?!

There it is!





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