Butte Creek Falls Trailhead
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 44.92088, -122.51123
- Elevation: 1880 Feet
- Driving time from Portland: 90 minutes
Contents |
Hikes starting here
- Butte Creek Falls Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
Fees and Regulations
- Roads may be closed in times of severe weather and during logging operations.
Driving Directions
Note: this trailhead was formerly accessed from Crooked Finger Road, but as of July 2018 Weyerhaeuser has closed the road indefinitely just beyond the spur to Abiqua Falls. These updated instructions also begin at Scotts Mills, though it is also possible to access Sawtell Road from the town of Molalla and then follow the instructions below. Do not rely on Google Maps for route information in this area, as a critical section of Butte Creek Road is not in the Google database, and Google will lead you miles out of direction as a result.
From I-205 in Oregon City, take Exit 10 to Hwy 213 south and follow it for 23 miles to the town of Marquam. In Marquam, turn left at the flashing yellow light onto S. Nowlens Bridge Road and follow it south for 2.3 miles to the town of Scotts Mills.
Just before crossing a bridge over Butte Creek, turn left onto well-signed Maple Grove Road. After 4.2 miles, turn right at a "T" intersection to stay on Maple Grove Road. Continue on Maple Grove Road for another 3 miles to a "T" intersection with Sawtell Road, marked by a large barn that is a useful landmark for your return trip. Turn right here and continue on paved Sawmill Road for 5.1 miles to a fork at the edge of a large clearcut, where yellow-striped divided lane section of Sawmill Road ends. Head left at the fork onto gravel, unsigned Family Camp Road and continue on this often potholed, but always passable road past several unmarked spur roads, always staying on the more obviously traveled main road. At 3.1 miles go right at a fork, following a small sign pointing to Butte Creek Falls. In another 0.6 miles head right at another fork, following a second sign pointing to Butte Creek Falls. Reach another fork in 0.5 miles and head right again, following a third sign pointing to Butte Creek Falls. From this last fork, continue steeply downhill for 1.1 miles to a bridge over Butte Creek and then pass Butte Creek Campground (Santiam State Forest). The Butte Creek Trailhead is 0.6 miles beyond the campground, on the right. The trailhead has a pit toilet, informational sign and parking for several vehicles.
Contributors
- Splintercat (creator)