Wilderness Update Summer 2025
Calf-Copeland Creek Roadless Area: A Wild Gem in the Crater Lake Wilderness Proposal
by Rick Kreofsky and Connie Page
Included in the Crater Lake Wilderness Proposal (18,000 acres) is the Calf-Copeland Creek Roadless Area—located about 38 air miles (or approximately one hour by car) east of Roseburg, Oregon, within the Umpqua National Forest in Douglas County. The area is accessible via Forest Service roads off Highway 138.
This diverse and ecologically rich area is home to deer, elk, pine marten, Northern spotted owl, pileated woodpecker, grouse, and a variety of songbirds. The forest is primarily composed of Western hemlock, Douglas fir, and white fir, with an understory of rhododendron and vine maple. Roughly 800 acres of meadows and natural openings—mainly in the higher elevations—support sensitive plant species including Asplenium septentrionale, Kalmiopsis leachiana, and others.
The Calf-Copeland Creek area is popular for hiking, birdwatching, forest bathing, photography, camping, and fishing. A network of creeks—Twin Lakes Creek, Calf Creek, Copeland Creek, and Deception Creek—along with two mountain lakes, flows through this steep, highly dissected landscape that spans a variety of ecotypes.
Surrounded by roads and timber harvest units, the Calf-Copeland Creek boundary is easily identifiable on the ground. It is the largest tract of roadless land in the Umpqua National Forest that has not yet been designated as wilderness. Thanks to its size and topography, much of the interior remains buffered from the sights and sounds of nearby roads.
At the heart of the area lies Twin Lakes, just south of the North Umpqua River. The popular but peaceful Twin Lakes Trail is a 5.6-mile round trip hike rated as moderate in difficulty. It offers a rich experience of the area’s highlights—wildflower meadows, old-growth forests, mountain views, and stands of trees regenerating from the 2017 fire. A shelter and two outhouses are located near the lakes. The trail loops around both lakes and ascends to a scenic overlook at 5,580 feet, offering expansive views of the lakes and surrounding forest.
We’ve explored the Calf-Copeland Creek and Twin Lakes area on several hikes. From the overlook—a rocky outcrop along the trail’s upper section—you can take in breathtaking views of the forested ridges and the shimmering lakes below. In spring, the meadows are alive with wildflowers, pollinators, and birdsong. This is truly a place to reconnect with the natural world, to renew your sense of wildness, and to celebrate the wonders that surround us.
This sacred place needs and deserves protection.
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