driving question for S. Oregon trip
 

Dear Oregon Experts: As part of a southern Oregon car trip, we are driving from Ashland to Crater Lake, then on to Yachats. My question is: is this do-able/a good idea in one day? Is there a place along the way that we'd be foolish not to spend more time in? We would probably spend just a few hours at CL (my family likes short, not long hikes) and perhaps a photo stop at Toketee Falls along Hwy. 138. We will be spending 3 nights in Yachats so can relax a bit once we get there. Opinions?

You may have already done this, but I was curious, so I plugged your intended route into Yahoo Maps and got a total drive time of just under 7 hours. Do-able? I suppose. Good idea? Hmmmmm....... Besides CL and Tokatee Falls, I can think of several spots you <i>should</i> be tempted to stop: Rogue River Gorge, Mill Creek Falls, Avenue of the Boulders, Prospect Hotel, Diamond Lake, Dean Creek Elk Reserve.... not to mention other take-your-breath-away scenes along the way.

And that's forgetting the countless views along the coast between Florence and Yachats, but I suppose you could back-track for those.

Opinions? I don't know that I have one. ;-)

I have a similar dilemma. Break up the driving and drive a bit every day, or pound it out and stay 2 nights in one spot. The coastal highway always seems to take longer than it should for me. To your question, I think your trip is doable but maybe consider 2 nights in Yachats and another night elsewhere along the way.
Would love OR experts opinion on another route:
From Florence through Brookings to Ashland (want to see the coast and go through the redwood forest in N Cal ideally!).
OPtion 1: Drive from home/Portland to Florence for overnight (day one). Next day get up early and golf, then relax another night in Florence (day 2). Big drive from Florence through Bandon/Gold Beach/Brookings through redwood forest and into Ashland (6-7 hr drive). OVernight Ashland 3rd night.

Option 2: Same start, but after golfing in Florence day 2, shower and head S to Gold Beach for the 2nd night to break up the long drive towards Ashland.

I want to get to Ashland by a certain date to go white water rafting the following morning, hence the squeeze! Thanks!

Eroz,
Who are you using for whitewater rafting? We also plan to do a short trip out of Ashland.

Have you driven the south coast before, eroz? From Port Orford to Brookings is nothing short of spectacular, whether from 101 or the many viewpoints just off it. You'll want as much time as you can spare. So I'd suggest heading south after golf, maybe as far as Bandon. Hwy 101 is mostly inland through that stretch, and traffic moves pretty good. And what would you be doing in Florence anyway besides a post mortem of your round? ;-)

It is certainly doable, but not a one-day trip I'd make. I'd spend more time on the S. Oregon coast and save Cater Lake for another time.

Thanks Beachbum, I'll prioritize that part of the coast! BoomBoom, I booked Crater lake lodge a year ago so that will be happening at the wk's end as I can rarely remember to plan that far ahead. :)
OK, we'll slow it down. We're going to take 3 days down the coast (Florence to Brookings) then head through the Redwoods to Ashland and area.
Momentum Rafting with Pete is who we are using for 1 day class 4 rafting on the upper Klamath. Open to any other ideas or special roads, hikes, viewpoints, or great eats. Thank you all!!

Waterfront Depot in Florence has great food - you will need a reservation for sure.

Hikes - there is a nice hike from the Heceta Head Lighthouse down to a beach which is only accessible by walking in - some nice views of the lighthouse - not difficult.

And the beach at Heceta Head is one of my favorites