Abiqua Falls
Scotts Mills, Oregon
Details
Distance
0.69 miles
Elevation Gain
115 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Whitney Whitehouse
Take a short hike to one of Oregon's most scenic waterfalls, Abiqua Falls (92 feet). It's helpful to drive to the trailhead in a 4x4 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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Abiqua Falls Reviews
The directions here are excellent. The turn-off from the unpaved road was exactly 1.4 miles from where the pavement ended. But we didn't see a sign marking CF 300. This was in July of 2017. There was a large, free-standing sign that said "Crooked Finger ATV Trail System" and "Safety Zone, No Shooting." The 2.5-mile drive to the trailhead is not only rock (I wouldn't do it in anything but a 4x4), but overgrown. You may scratch your car if you're not careful. Roads are very narrow and if you meet another car coming head on, one of you may have to back up to where the road is wider. It's worth parking at 1.5 or even 2 miles and hiking in. The falls are gorgeous. Well worth the trip. We did this with our 7-year-old, and she managed it just fine.
5.0
The directions given on this page were spot on and we had no problem finding the "easy" trail. I had my two physically fit daughters with me, ages 7 &9. We also brought along our mellow lab pup since we were going so deep into an area I was unfamiliar with. We found the road there to be bumpy and rough in a few places but not as bad as people had posted about last summer. It appears as though they have done quite a bit of work on the gravel road since then. Our Suburban had no problem and chugged along just fine. Small SUV's would also be fine but people in cars were parking up to 1.5 miles up from the trail head and walking in. I was more concerned about the brush on the sides of the road and the possibility of meeting oncoming traffic on such a narrow gravel road. Once there, we found a place to park and headed out. The easier trail was steep at times but nothing I'd consider extreme. My girls maneuvered it just fine on their own and I was able to do it with a pup on a leash. I only held on to the ropes a few times just to keep my balance. There was a lot of going over and/or under logs, especially when we got to the path along the creek. Bonus...the easier trail is shaded the entire way until you reach the creek. Once we arrived at the falls, we took in the view (stunning, peaceful and oh so worth the hike in!!), enjoyed a snack with water and explored the area around us. We stayed for a little over 2 hours. Like others mentioned, the earlier you arrive, the less people you will run into. We left the falls on a Friday at around 2pm and it was starting to fill up. Probably 16 visitors vs. the 2 we that were there when we arrived a few hours before. Coming out was of course much more difficult. Well...not for my kiddos or pup but for this not so in shape mama. It's about 10 minutes of up, up, up followed by 5 minutes of mostly flat then you're back to the parking lot. I was the only one who stopped for a rest in my group. Kiddos and pup had no problem. We did use the ropes to come up the trail but mostly for fun and not out of necessity like the harder trail. Once back to the car we headed out and enjoyed the gorgeous view. Notes: No cell service so take screenshots of directions or print them to take with you. We packed my phone (camera), 1 water bottle each, light snacks, a knife and a small first aid kit. Girls wore water sandals and I wore tennis shoes. We all hiked out with wet feet and none of us had troubles with that so GET YOUR FEET WET if you go on a hot day like us. As for bringing small kiddos...sure, if they are used to hiking and you are physically able to carry them up very steep inclines at times, go for it. I would have taken our girls when they were younger if my husband was there to help. As for hiking this while pregnant...sure, if you are physically fit and hiking is your thing. This is not an easy stroll so you'll likely spend some time trying very hard not to fall and hurt yourself or your baby. You will have to climb over or under 6ish fallen trees. Also, you are pretty far off the beaten path should you require medical treatment. Don't go on a hot day and be sure to find the easier trail!
5.0
Would you recommend this to so.eone who is pregna t? Also bringing a 2 year old?
5.0
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