Willamette Pass

Thank you all for the information. Crater Lake is definitely on the to-do list. I remember seeing it as a kid and am anxious to see it again (some 47 years later). We are staying with two other couples at Collier Memorial Park. Bend sounds nice and the Klamath Falls website showed a couple of nice day trips. Going to try to get some relaxation time in and the guys have talked about doing some fishing.

If we can get the extra few days off, we will be heading to Newport via Canyonville and staying a few days to see the sights. Last year when we went to Newport (this is our 2nd trip there) we headed up I-5, visited Elkton and then headed up the coast at Reedsport. We enjoyed the drive so much we are heading up that way again. Only this time we'll be towing the FW instead of driving our car. Oh, and we got one of the last sites at Beverly Beach State Park, which is just up the road from the cottage our friends are renting. :B

All of the above are good suggestions . Further :
Hiway 58 is preferred by some truckers as a better alternate route between Eugene OR and Weed , CA .
It is an easy mountain pass as mountain passes go .
We don't need the crowds as Bend has been discovered .
If you are just spending time and going to California from Newport you should stop at Crater Lake .
Bend is one of the fastest growing towns in the USA for good reason .
Too many reasons. Just do a search .
Nobody doesn't like Bend .
Stop in Sisters also .
From Eugene my preferred route is hwy 126 to Bend to get to hwy 97 . Very easy beautiful pass .
Budget some extra time for the Cascades .
Think of northern New Hampshire & Vermont but with real mountains and taller trees .
Klamath Falls is an ugly place compared to Bend .
The town is dying for a reason .

There's the Cascade Lakes area between the pass and Bend. Some of these lakes are dammed by lava flows.

There's a covered bridge in West Fir, just off the highway at Oak Ridge.

I'd recommend getting an Oregon recreation map. A good one should have state parks, forest service campgrounds, lakes, mountains, geological sights, hot springs, water falls, etc marked. Maybe even get a map atlas (DeLourme or Benchmark).

There are also books (and online resources) for waterfalls, campgrounds, and hiking trails.

Crater Lake.

Thank you for this info. We are going to Newport, Oregon this July and to Klamath Falls from there. Besides Salt Creek Falls, any other places that we must see?

Thanks for the info everyone.

While I5 is close to sea level, US97 is around 5000', nearly as high as the pass itself. Stop to view the Salt Creek falls.

Pass is 6% grade but good road. The drop off the east side is on big deal. There is roadwork at the tunnel expect 20 minute delays and is closed at night starting at 8 PM to 6 AM Monday thru Thursday.

Road construction at salt creek road closed Mon - Thus. 8PM to 7AM.

My memory says that it is a pretty easy climb with the road being in good condition.
Go to Tripcheck.com for current road information. It has a camera on the pass.