Adventure to Abiqua Falls, Oregon

A hike to Abiqua Falls is no joke. This place was not easy to find, but the challenge made the treasure at the end even more rewarding.

You can GPS yourself to Scotts Mills, Oregon (southeast to Portland) and from there take Crooked Finger Road for about 11 miles out into what feels like the middle of nowhere. Once the road turns from pavement to gravel, look for a sign on a tree that marks a right-hand turn onto another gravel road. This road is very bumpy and unmaintained, especially in the rainy season (which is the majority of the time for Oregon.)  

There is a dirt "parking lot" on the right after the road descends a ways. We parked here because there were other cars parked here, but that means hiking down the rest of the dirt road for about 2 more miles. (If you have a high clearance, 4WD or AWD vehicle, you can just drive all the way down.)

After hiking the zig zagging dirt road for a couple miles, there will be a distinct trailhead on the left side of the road that will take you through some muddy fields until you reach a forested cliff. 

This is where things get fun. 

At the top of the cliff, there will be a rope anchored to a tree that is to help you descend the cliff. If you go in the winter, it will be extremely muddy! 

Free rappel down the muddy cliff and watch for falling rocks. I slid on a rock that I watched bounce and fall for the remainder of the cliff. Thankfully, no one was below me. 

After about three tree rope rappels, there's one more. The last one is to the sharp left and is less noticeable. 

Once at the bottom of the ravine, there will be a narrow trail to the east. Don't get too excited. The trail will start out as a beacon of light that slowly fades as you travel left from the rappel trees.

You are now traveling alongside of the river to your right, and perhaps can hear the waterfall in the distance. It is not that far away, but the trail searching becomes the next struggle.

It's not obvious where to go, but just keep heading in that direction. The trail is sometimes down by the water, and then it suddenly disappears and is up the hill through the rocky terrain. Keep searching for it, I promise you're heading in the right direction.

After about a mile or so, the last trail section goes uphill all the way it possibly can, bringing you right beneath a cool hanging garden type rock structure that will be dripping mossy tears on you. By now you should really be able to hear the falls, as it is just beyond the next bend. 

Push around the bend and BEHOLD!! You've made it! Finally. Now you just need to descend another steep muddy cliff with vegetation that mocks you.

Once at the bottom, you can hike over the rocky beach and up to the falls to get that shot of the day. Worth it.

If it's summertime, this is probably a cool spot for an afternoon picnic and swim, although the water will still be quite cold.

In the winter time, it's just cold. 

But beautiful! And the best part about this gem being so hidden is that it is not likely to find crowds at the falls (especially in mid February) so you get to enjoy the whole paradise to yourself!

Do not underestimate the way back. Climbing up those tree ropes is a bit of work, but fun! Make sure you have a headlamp for the hike back.