Short Hike to Abiqua Falls
Silverton, Oregon
Details
Distance
1 miles
Elevation Gain
180 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Whitney Whitehouse
Take a short hike to one of Oregon's most scenic waterfalls (92 feet). It's helpful to drive to the trailhead in a 4x. 4 and necessary in the winter months.
This trail is unmarked and a little rough and rugged. The land is privately owned by Mount Angel Abbey, but they don't appear to have problems with courteous hikers. Walking out of the parking area back up the road in the direction you came from, you’ll pass one dirt trail right at the ending of the parking area. Look about a little further down the road (~100 feet) and find the second trail – this is the one you want. After hiking down a steep part of the trail, you’ll hit the creek. Head upstream along the creek to get to the falls. As you get close to the falls, you’ll have to climb over logs and boulders.
This is also an amazing spot to capture photos during the winter. Make sure that if you choose to go here in the snowy months that you have a 4x4 vehicle to get you to the trailhead.
For directions on how to get to the parking area:Use a GPS to get you to the town of Scotts Mills, from there you'll want to turn south on Crooked Finger road. You'll go about 9.5 miles down that road, the pavement will end and you'll want to keep going. Once the dirt road starts you'll drive another 1.4 miles until you come to a dirt road on the right that is marked with some writing on a piece of wood on a tree - it reads CF 300. After you're on CF 300 drive straight at every junction until you get to a parking area about 2.5 miles downhill. The road is pretty rough and you'll think you're going the wrong way, but keep going :) you'll know you're at the end when you reach a locked gate.
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Reviews
The waterfall is amazing. Please note the short hike is treacherous in the winter months. After a solid rain fall, I highly suggest hiking shoes. The mud has loosen sturdy rocks making footing challenging but doable. There are a number of trails that lead to the Abiqua creek from the parking area. Once Parked, I suggest beginner/intermediate hikers to stay on the left trail. It will be gradual. The right trail is extremely steep (similar to a face of a cliff) and there was a warning on a web site that says “people have fallen recently as 2017.” Getting half way down on the right side trail made me understand why. Experienced hikers should proceed with caution. Once you walk along the creek a ways you hear the roaring of the falls and you are able to escape into nature’s beauty.
5.0
Super rad spot, definitely bring your camera! Went here early August 2017 and the trail is still marked by a sign saying something along the lines of: ATV trail, recreation area no shooting. The road isn't too bad, but still would recommend a AWD! The distance to the gate was closer to 3 miles according to my GPS, definitely feels like the wrong trail after about 2 miles, but stick with it!! The reward is overwhelming beautiful.
5.0
Headed here in mid-July 2017, and was rewarded with beautiful waterfall views and no one else around (albeit I went mid week). The road is fairly obvious and follow it down as at as you comfortably can, without a 4x4 though I'd take others advice and park about 1.5 miles in, and walk the last mile or so to the trail head. The hike itself is less than a mile to the falls, and takes only a short but steep stroll down a ravine.
5.0
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