Butte Creek

Butte Creek is a short and scenic canyon in Santiam State Forest. Although it can be easily run in an hour, the ease and fun of repeating obstacles will make you want to stay longer. Be aware: Butte Creek sees a large number of non-canyoning visitors during the summer months (often lounging and swimming in the pools below the falls), so use caution when deploying ropes. Please avoid using fixed anchors in areas accessible by the general public. Ghosting may be appropriate, or simply hike back to the top of the falls afterwards and remove your anchors.

The Butte Creek Trailhead was formerly accessed via Crooked Finger Road (near Abiqua Falls), but as of July 2018 Weyerhaeuser closed the road to all motorized vehicles. (Per a ranger in July 2024, there are no plans to reopen this road in the near future.) The new approach is via Family Camp Road on the east side of Butte Creek above the Molalla River. As of 2024, Google Maps provided the correct directions for reaching the trailhead. There is parking at the trailhead for several vehicles and a restroom. From Butte Creek trailhead and follow the maintained trail right ~0.25mi to the bottom of Upper Butte Creek Falls. From here you can gauge the waterflow on the first rappel and/or pool depth. Once assessed, hike back up the trail until you reach the point where you're just a bit upstream of the upper falls. Follow an obvious use-trail down to the top of R1.

All jumps should be scouted in advance. Jumping is a leading cause of canyon injuries (i.e. broken legs and ankles).

About 70ft downstream of the final pool, locate a faint climber's trail DCL in the vegetation. The trail ascends steeply and cuts back climber's left along the cliff wall to reach the top of R3. There is some slight exposure; not recommended in the wet. Continue to follow cliff wall to find a well-worn user trail climbing up out of the canyon from the bottom of R2. There's one class 3-4 scramble section with plenty of holds. Once atop the ridge, meet the official maintained trail. Follow the trail back upstream, bearing right at the first junction and continue until you're back at the parking lot (~5-10min).