The hike to big, beautiful Boardman Lake is one of the easiest off of the Mountain Loop Highway. Just under a mile and gaining a mere 250 feet of elevation along the way (and 50 on the way back), this lovely backcountry body of water can be reached by just about every hiker-young and old, long-legged and short-breathed, and everyone else in between.

While it'll take most hikers a mere thirty minutes to reach this delightful destination, allow yourself a good half day to fully enjoy and appreciate the lake and its environs. Boardman is an ideal place for acquainting children with the wonders of nature. Its shimmering waters invite lounging, feet soaking, and, during the dog days of summer, perhaps even a quick dip.

Even the trail itself will captivate young minds. Gargantuan ancient cedars lining the way will keep heads cocked upward in a constant state of bewilderment. But be sure to watch the trail! While generally well-groomed, a few roots and rocks may stagger your pace.

No more than two minutes into your hike, little Lake Evan greets you. While children may want to immediately loiter along the forested and marshy shore, Boardman promises much better diversions, so continue up the trail under an emerald canopy supported by massive trees as old as this country.

Negotiate one little climb around a ledgy area, then begin a short descent to the basin housing Boardman. Surrounded by timbered and rocky knolls, brushy talus slopes, and primeval forest, the lake feels like it's deep in the wilderness. There are plenty of good spots for sunning, soaking, and fishing.

You can cross the outlet creek on a logjam and explore a forested bluff on the lake's eastern shore. A handful of tidy campsites perfect for neophyte backpackers occupy the area. A primitive path continues but, like the one on the northern lakeshore, it peters out in brushy and marshy terrain.

While Boardman is a fairly popular place on a sunny weekend afternoon, it's a large enough locale to accommodate all guests. Please do treat the area with care. Visit on an overcast day for peace and quiet and surrealistic sauntering in a forest that has stood for centuries.