| Difficulty | III-IV+ |
| Length | 0.52 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Butte Creek at Monitor, or |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 7 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 24, 2026 |
The half mile section above Abiqua Falls is a short section with two very clean waterfalls, the first about 10' (Momma Duke's) and the second 20' (Peony Falls). These waterfalls are forgiving and can be lapped, the rest of the run is through a narrow and beautiful class III bedrock section with a narrow ramp (Cattle Ramp) that can be portaged.
Momma Duke's is usually run on the right, but there are lines in the middle as well. Laps can be had by walking up the dry face of the falls on river-left (setting up a rope helps). Just around the corner is Peony Falls, usually run off the center-left flake. Laps are had by paddling to the end of the pool and working back up a trail to the top of the falls on river-right - this one is not as easy to lap as the first falls but it's still worth the effort.
Below the falls the nice class III gorge begins, with a handful of playful ramps and chutes.
Care must be taken near the end of this gorge as at the final rapid (Cattle Ramp), it would be easy to go an eddy too far and be committed to this narrow chute that sometimes has wood issues. With some recent movement of wood, there is a small last chance eddy just before the point of no return. However, the normal manuever is to have one person go first and grab onto the bank and hop onto shore in the moving flat water as soon as possible above Cattle Ramp. That person can then catch the rest of the team. Check the photo page for land markers. The portage is along the left bank, the longer you stay on the bedrock, the more devils club you will avoid.
Just below Cattle Ramp is the obvious and massive horizon line for Abiqua Falls.
At the recommended flows it is not an issue getting out on the right above Abiqua Falls, but that may change if flows are high. Get out on the right and take the trail up to a short cliff band. There is typically a fixed rope here to help pull boats up with. From the top of the cliff band it is a short hike out
...Follow the trail upstream from the parking area, and drop down to river-level via a steep track about 100 yards upstream of the vehicles.
A short trail leads from above Abiqua Falls to this small pull out, marked by a faint red square painted on a tree.
Mar 2, 2026
The property around Abiqua Falls is being purchased by the state of Oregon. This could ensure access for the future, or we could end up with a situation like Silver Falls where paddling is banned.
Feb 21, 2018
This photo is a good one to sear into your brain if running Abiqua Creek. Note the sliding ledge in the foreground. This means you are just above Cattle Ramp. Looking downstream, the paddler in the yellow boat is about to the point where he needs to grab the bank and hop out. You can also see the paddlers portaging along the left, don't go any further downstream of where they are before getting out of your boat. Then scout and portage down the left bank, heading into the woods if you feel too exposed.
If you go past the furthest point you can see the stream in this photo, and there happens to be wood in the drop, your fate will no longer be in your hands. There was wood in 2017. Don't push it, take out where the boaters are visible in this photo.