The source, at about river mile (RM) 31 or river kilometer (RK) 50, lies near the border between Tillamook County and Yamhill County northwest of the city of Yamhill.

[4][6] Flowing south and then southeast for its first 1 mile (1.6 km), the river receives Perkins Creek from the right.

Shortly thereafter, the river turns southeast, and Turner Creek enters from the left.

[4][6] About 1 mile (1.6 km) below Pike, the valley widens, and the river begins to meander and to turn more sharply south, receiving Hutchcroft Creek from the right and Salt Creek from the left near RM 16 (RK 26).

Slightly downstream of RM 4.0 (RK 6.4), Panther Creek enters from the right.