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Upper Ayers Creek Falls was an added unknown bonus find, though not entirely unexpected. While searching for Ayers Creek Falls, I entered the canyon of Ayers Creek too far upstream, and eventually wandered straight into the crest of this waterfall. Unusual for this area of Oregon, the falls skip 45 feet down a bulging basalt face, rather than dropping over an undercut ledge as its downstream sibling does. Immediately upstream of the falls, Ayers Creek flows over interesting solid bedrock formations for several hundred feet. Because of Ayers Creek's small drainage area, I expect it probably runs dry by May, give or take a month depending on the winter rainfall. When I visited the falls in March of 2005, Oregon was experiencing a significant drought, and the falls were running much lower than they should have been at that time of the year.
- Upper Ayers Creek Falls is the Unofficial name of this waterfall.
Located just outside Santiam State Forest land near Mehama. From I-5 in Salem, take Highway 22 east for about 22 miles to the small town of Mehama. Turn left on Wagner Road, and proceed 2 ½ miles, climbing steeply to the top of the ridge. Just before you reach the 2 ½ mile mark, make sure you stay straight, crossing Stout Creek, rather than making a hard right and following the tree farm. Immediately after crossing Stout Creek, make a left on an unmarked gravel road, and park near the gate (don't block the gate). Walk about ¼ of a mile up this road to a large pullout with a small gravel pile in it. From here, plunge into the woods and head straight for Ayers Creek. You'll be above the falls at this point, so cross the creek, and then head downstream to the canyon rim. There was a faint animal path which allowed easy travel around the rim of the canyon to where clear views of the falls can be had. Not recommended for inexperienced bushwhackers.
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