Pup Creek Falls

From the town of Estacada, follow SR 224 east for 15 miles to Fish Creek Road and turn right, crossing the Clackamas River. Park at the Clackamas Recreation Site on the right side of the road shortly after and start out on the Clackamas River Trail on the opposite side of the road. Hike the trail, which climbs and drops steadily, for 3 1/2 miles to a spur trail shortly before crossing Pup Creek which leads another 500 feet to the base of the falls.Pup Creek Falls is a textbook example of the geology and form commonly seen in waterfalls throughout Oregon. The falls hurtle 203 feet over an undercut ledge of layered basalt flows before impacting on a more resistant layer and veiling out, then sliding down a second tier of 34 feet in height. Discounting the second drop of the falls, Pup Creek Falls holds an uncanny resemblance to that of Winter Falls in Silver Falls State Park, only with much greater volume. The size of the falls and depth of the canyon have allowed profuse growth of moss, ferns and clovers - ensuring the scene remains every shade of green known to nature for most of the year. At least a half dozen additional waterfalls, varying in size from 15 to 65 feet, are known to exist further upstream along Pup Creek, but unfortunately there is neither developed nor safe access to most of those.