Abiqua Falls
Hike details:
Mileage: 1.8 miles out and back w/ 570 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 1 hour w/ an average pace of 1.8 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Low to medium on weekdays, very high on weekends
General location: 33.7 miles east of Salem off of Crooked Finger Road
Suggested seasons: Spring, summer, fall, winter
(Best time to go is winter because there are less people. Avoid early spring because the river will be very high and will flood the trail).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: No
Trail allows: Dogs
Approximate hike time: 1 hour w/ an average pace of 1.8 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Low to medium on weekdays, very high on weekends
General location: 33.7 miles east of Salem off of Crooked Finger Road
Suggested seasons: Spring, summer, fall, winter
(Best time to go is winter because there are less people. Avoid early spring because the river will be very high and will flood the trail).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: No
Trail allows: Dogs
(the beginning of the trail is not marked by a sign, but it looks like this)
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description:Abiqua Falls is one of the most sought after waterfalls in Oregon, but many are deterred because of bad directions and/or hearsay that the road is almost impassible. This road is not even close to the roughest road in Oregon, and it's even better than the road to Opal Creek during some years. The road IS rough though because there are some potholes, but mainly because of the sharp rocks that jut out from the ground.
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So you must have good tires on your car. A high clearance vehicle is preferred, but a regular passenger vehicle can make it to the trailhead if taken slowly. I have seen a Prius and other passenger cars down at the trailhead. If you are not comfortable with the rough road, you can park at one of the many turnouts along the road. Also keep in mind that the parking area is small and can only accommodate about 5-7 cars.
(ropes are provided for steep slippery sections of trail)
The trailhead is not marked, but you will see cars parked along the road and at the small parking area at the end of the road where a gate is. There are a few obvious trails, take the one to the left so that you don't end up going over a cliff. Once you hit the right trail it is very obvious as the dirt path meanders downhill. If it has rained recently the trail will be muddy and quite slippery. It is also very steep, so there have been ropes set up for assistance. Trekking poles help for going down quite a bit. From high up on the trail you will see Abiqua Creek a few hundred feet below.
(Abiqua Creek below the trail)
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(using a rope on a 70% grade)
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(the trail is right at the edge of Abiqua Creek)
After climbing down to the creek's edge, the trail continues right along the shore line. You will have to climb over some down logs and debris that gets washed up onto the shore during high waters early in the season. Once you round the corner you will be standing in the Abiqua Falls amphitheater.
Abiqua Creek originates near Lookout Mountain and flows 29 miles northwest to its confluence with Pudding Creek about 2 miles west of Silverton. Abiqua Creek is Silverton's main source of drinking water. It was along Abiqua Creek that a skirmish/battle was fought in March of 1848 where several native Americans were killed. The meaning of the word Abiqua is unknown, but thoughts are that it referred to a small tribe or a camping place along the creek.
(Abiqua Falls 92 ft.)
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It is really quite an amazing sight and the basalt columns have broken off in different lengths which creates texture on the amphitheater walls. Orange and green lichen grow on the rocks here, making the cliff walls look like a painting. Abiqua Falls is 92 ft. tall and it plunges down with quite a force, especially in the springtime, into a emerald green pool or round river rocks.
This hike is quite popular, so usually there are many people enjoying the falls with you. However, if you come early enough in the day, you might get lucky and get it all to yourself for a bit like we did one day in late December. |
(basalt columns)
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Overall, this is one of Oregon's most popular waterfalls and for good reason. It is a bit difficult to get to both by car and on foot, and if you have knee problems, it is not recommended that you go down the incredibly steep path. This trail is also not recommended for very small children unless you are carrying them in a pack. Please be careful in this area and make sure to stay on the trail. Do not go near any of the cliffs, and if the river is too high to be able to see the trail below, please do not side-hill and bushwhack to the falls. Always remember to Leave No Trace! People have fallen here and had to get life flighted out (see article).
Directions:
From Salem
- Drive on Silverton Rd. NE for 11.3 miles to the town of Silverton. Continue through town following signs for OR-213 N and then stay on this road for 4.8 miles then turn right onto Mount Angel Scotts Mills Rd. NE for 2.3 miles through the tiny town of Scotts Mills. Right before a bridge, turn right onto Crooked Finger Rd. NE for 10.8 miles, then turn right onto CF-300. Continue down this rough road slowly for 2.5 miles to a locked gate and a wide turnout on the left. You can park here but there is only enough room for about 5-7 cars so if there is no parking you can park at one of the many turnouts along the road. This road is rough and it has some large rough rocks sticking up from the ground. If you have a high clearance vehicle, it is preferred. Many people feel uncomfortable driving down this road in their passenger cars, although it can be done at very slow speeds. (Total of 31.7 miles)
- Drive I-5 south for 16.9 miles then take exit 282A toward Canby/Hubbard and take the Portland-Hubbard Hwy. 1.1 miles and then turn left onto Arndt Rd. for 1.8 miles then stay right onto S Arndt Rd. for another half mile until you T into S Barlow Rd. Turn right and say on this road for 7 miles before turning left onto S Sconce Rd. for 2 miles. Turn right onto Canby-Marquam Hwy for 1.9 miles which then turns into S Kropf Rd. Stay on this road for 4.2 miles and then turn right onto OR-213 south and immediately turn left onto S Nowlens Bridge Rd. Turn left onto Cooked Finger Rd. NE for 10.8 miles and then turn right onto CF-300. Continue down this rough road slowly for 2.5 miles to a locked gate and a wide turnout on the left. You can park here but there is only enough room for about 5-7 cars so if there is no parking you can park at one of the many turnouts along the road. This road is rough and it has some large rough rocks sticking up from the ground. If you have a high clearance vehicle, it is preferred. Many people feel uncomfortable driving down this road in their passenger cars, although it can be done at very slow speeds. (Total of 51 miles)
- Drive I-5 north to Salem for 62.1 miles, then take exit 256 to merge onto OR-213 N/Market St. NE toward Silverton. After about 10 miles you will drive through the town of Silverton. Continue through town following signs for OR-213 N and then stay on this road for 4.8 miles then turn right onto Mount Angel Scotts Mills Rd. NE for 2.3 miles through the tiny town of Scotts Mills. Right before a bridge, turn right onto Crooked Finger Rd. NE for 10.8 miles, then turn right onto CF-300. Continue down this rough road slowly for 2.5 miles to a locked gate and a wide turnout on the left. You can park here but there is only enough room for about 5-7 cars so if there is no parking you can park at one of the many turnouts along the road. This road is rough and it has some large rough rocks sticking up from the ground. If you have a high clearance vehicle, it is preferred. Many people feel uncomfortable driving down this road in their passenger cars, although it can be done at very slow speeds. (Total of 94.8 miles)
- Drive US-97 north and take exit 135A to merge onto US-120 west toward Sisters for 19.9 miles. At the roundabout in Sisters, take the 2nd exit and stay on US-20 west for another 25.1 miles. Then turn right onto OR-22 west/N Santiam Hwy E toward Salem for 68.1 miles. Take exit 13 toward Stayton/Sublimity. Turn right onto Cascade Hwy SE/S Center St. and stay on this road for 12.7 miles until you get to the town of Silverton. Continue through town following signs for OR-213 N and then stay on this road for 4.8 miles then turn right onto Mount Angel Scotts Mills Rd. NE for 2.3 miles through the tiny town of Scotts Mills. Right before a bridge, turn right onto Crooked Finger Rd. NE for 10.8 miles, then turn right onto CF-300. Continue down this rough road slowly for 2.5 miles to a locked gate and a wide turnout on the left. You can park here but there is only enough room for about 5-7 cars so if there is no parking you can park at one of the many turnouts along the road. This road is rough and it has some large rough rocks sticking up from the ground. If you have a high clearance vehicle, it is preferred. Many people feel uncomfortable driving down this road in their passenger cars, although it can be done at very slow speeds. (Total of 148 miles)
- Drive I-5 north 226 miles to Salem, then take exit 256 to merge onto OR-213 N/Market St. NE toward Silverton. After about 10 miles you will drive through the town of Silverton. Continue through town following signs for OR-213 N and then stay on this road for 4.8 miles then turn right onto Mount Angel Scotts Mills Rd. NE for 2.3 miles through the tiny town of Scotts Mills. Right before a bridge, turn right onto Crooked Finger Rd. NE for 10.8 miles, then turn right onto CF-300. Continue down this rough road slowly for 2.5 miles to a locked gate and a wide turnout on the left. You can park here but there is only enough room for about 5-7 cars so if there is no parking you can park at one of the many turnouts along the road. This road is rough and it has some large rough rocks sticking up from the ground. If you have a high clearance vehicle, it is preferred. Many people feel uncomfortable driving down this road in their passenger cars, although it can be done at very slow speeds. (Total of 258 miles)
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To get a more in-depth and personal view of this hike, watch the YouTube video.
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*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: the trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.
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