January 11, 2020 7:05 a.m.
Due to predicted heavy snow for the Toketee and Diamond Lake areas, staff with the Umpqua National Forest have closed a temporary gate leading to the Umpqua Hot Springs, near Toketee.
That gate is just past the junction of Forest Roads 34 and 3401.
Mark Turney from the Forest Service said anyone wishing to visit the Umpqua Hot Springs should be prepared to hike, ski, or snowshoe approximately 1.5 miles to the trailhead and then another steep quarter-mile of snowy trail to access the pools.
Turney said the action was coordinated with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Toketee residents to reduce the adverse impacts on DCSO and search and rescue personnel. The closure is to prevent vehicles from getting stuck on the road. Turney said closing the gate addresses public safety by limiting vehicle access to a parking area at the junction of the two roads.
Call the Toketee Ranger Station at 541-498-2531 to get updates or check the Facebook page for the Umpqua National Forest.