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Boulder River Trail


Highlights:

Old growth forest along a river with many waterfalls
Near:Darrington, WA
Scenery:
Distance:7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:835 ft
Hike Time:3.5 hours
Difficulty:Easy
Trail Condition:Well maintained trail
HikeType:Out and Back


Summary: This is a popular trail and great for the whole family as it little elevation gain and is nearly snow free all year round. There are benches about a mile in where you can rest and watch one of several waterfalls. The trail ends at 3.5 miles where it was washed out by the river. The trail does continue on the other side of the river but it is not safe to cross. There are spaces for camping here too.
Trailhead: From I-5 take exit 208/Silvana/Arlington and drive east on Hwy 530 about 19.5 miles. Turn right on French Creek Road (FS 2010). Drive 3.8 miles to the end of the road and the trailhead. (Lat:48.25054 Lon:-121.81542)
Trail Guides for Boulder River Trail:
Pacific Northwest Hiking
by Ron C. Judd & Dan A. Nelson  (Foghorn Press)

Best Seasons: Year-Round
User Groups: Hikers, Dogs,
Ranger Contact: Darrington Ranger District (425) 259-7911
Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Robbie Hochreiter, who has posted  24 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here.
Trail Reviews  Page 2 of 4   Submit your own review
Reviewed by KAD on 12/5/2008
My boyfriend and I did this hike in early november. It was my favorite hike so far! I am a beginner and he is an expert, while it got his heart pumping a little he found this hike to be very very easy. I thought it was awesome. Great for kids and dogs and beginners like me!

Reviewed by Todd on 9/29/2008
A splendid trail for the beginner. The initial climb is a little steep, so a reasonable pace is advisable. The remainder of the trail is much easier, and offers a nice variety of scenery. The first waterfall is somewhat small, but the second is quite beautiful. Use caution along the way, numerous washouts and exposed roots present a trip hazard. Bring plenty of water, and a snack. There are several scenic locations that provide a wonderful opportunity to rest and recharge. This is a great trail for kids and dogs too. As always, exercise caution for wild animals. Some are accustomed to humans and not always shy. It is their environment and we are only visiting.

Reviewed by keith on 5/5/2008
probably my 4th time on this trail..Trails were a bit muddy at the end of it..saw a tiny shrew and a garder snake..lots of woodpeckers..my dog loves this hike..

Reviewed by R&D on 5/5/2008
A nice hike, with some pretty views. Trails are very well maintained, but there are some minor obstacles that may detract timid hikers. This is more of a stroll than a true hike, although there are some brief elevation climbs that get your heart rate pumping.

Reviewed by Hunsaker Family on 4/28/2008
April~27~2008~First time hiking the trail searched for easy hikes. Although the waterfall in its self was worth it, The elevation gain is tough at parts for kids (We had a 14 and 5 year old who have both done Monte Cristo) and people who don't have a lot of hiking under there belt.. But,Worth the effort!!

Reviewed by Shaun on 1/21/2008
I completed this hike with a buddy on January 19th, 2007. We got more than we bargained for. The trail was a winter wonderland. The road leading to the trailhead was treacherous so we parked at the restrooms and hiked up. We continued to the falls and had little trouble. It was beautiful and swollen with snowmelt. It did snow on us the entire time. We continued on the trail several more miles until we hit a large tree blocking the trail. At this point we decided to head back. This was a very enjoyable hike. There was lots of snow, uneven ground, downed trees, and beautiful scenery. Word to the wise, dress warm, prepare for the worst, and know your limits. This trail can be deceptively difficult this time of year.

Reviewed by Mark S on 12/26/2007
I completed this hike in Dec 2006. It was a little muddy but a nice comfortable hike. A good choice if your bringing a beginner hiker. As we made the tiny elevation gain we we lucky to see snow. The whole area looked like a Winter Wonderland. The 2 waterfalls give the hike purpose and we tunred around at the river. Watch your step at some of the log bridges. It was a little on the easy side but a good hike. This is probably the best snow-free hike to do in the Winter!

Reviewed by Candace on 8/31/2007
Don't waste your time any further than the first two waterfalls. Not only were there horse flies, but the scenery just never gets any better. Not to mention, we thought it might never end. Overall, not a very pleasant experience. We got bitten. By horse flies. Bring bug spray.


Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site.
Keys: Washington Hiking, Washington Trails, Washington Hikes, Snohomish County Hiking, Snohomish County Trails, Snohomish County Hikes

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