Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
On our last day in Oregon, as we headed south, we stopped to see the Rogue River Gorge and Natural Bridge.
The Rogue River has its headwaters on Mount Mazama,
about 27 miles from here.
The Rogue River Gorge was probably formed from collapsed
lava tubes left by the once active volcano. The water of the river simply followed the path of least resistance in its journey to the ocean.
lava tubes left by the once active volcano. The water of the river simply followed the path of least resistance in its journey to the ocean.
A few miles further down the river is Natural Bridge. Instead of forming a gorge, this lava tube remained in tact and the river drops into it,
following its 200 foot length completely out of sight.
In the upper right corner you can see the river exiting the lava tube
through what looks like a cave.
through what looks like a cave.
And so after rushing through a deep, narrow gorge and then disappearing underground only to emerge 200 feet later, the Rogue River
continues its journey to the Pacific ocean.
continues its journey to the Pacific ocean.
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