Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Boulder Cave
Boulder Cave formed over millions of years from ongoing volcanic action and erosion. Periodic lava flows deposited rock over soft, loose rock and soil. The lava cooled, forming hard layers of basalt and trapping the softer layers of loose sediment between. Wind and water then scoured the softer layers out. Today the cave is home to a dwindling population of Pacific western big-eared bats (a.k.a. Townsend bats), a listed sensitive species in both Washington and Oregon. Only fifty remain of thousands that inhabited the cave in the 1920s and '30s, hence the cave's winter closure to ensure a safe hibernation period. Do bring a reliable light source for exploring the cave.
The Boulder Cave Trail was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1935 and was improved in 1987 by the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), with the voluntary help of a local stone mason. The gravel trail follows the rim of a small gorge that is part of a deep ravine. The path climbs gradually away from the parking area, piercing a pine and fir forest that also supports some big, old maples and alders. As the wide trail nears the cave mouth, it winds down to the slit in the rock that serves as the cave entrance. Hikers MUST have a reliable light source to explore the cave--a bright headlamp is recommended, though a powerful hand-held flashlight would be adequate. A backup light should also be carried just in case your primary light goes dead. You'll also want a jacket to slip on, even in the heat of August. The cave is damp and cool, with temperatures typically hovering in the 50s. Explore the shallow cave (about 400 feet deep) at your leisure before heading back out the way you came.
Driving Directions:
From Chinook Pass drive east on State Route 410 about 26 miles, ap-proaching the town of Cliffdell. Turn right onto a road signed "Boulder Cave National Recreational Trail." Cross the Naches River on a bridge and almost immediately turn right, following the signs 1.1 miles to the trailhead. Recent Trip Reports
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This is awsome. We have been in different caves stat in other states and countries. we have seen and...
This is awsome. We have been in different caves stat in other states and countries. we have seen and heard about this and have ment to get there and was able to.... wow, this is very cool. Remember your flash light, there is a very short section that you cant see. We left ours in the truck, but Jas had his camera and used the flash=), went thru it two times. We love caves!
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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With guests in from out of town, we decided to show off Washington’s variety by heading over the m...
With guests in from out of town, we decided to show off Washington’s variety by heading over the mountains to Yakima. Along the way, we wanted a short hike to stretch our legs and explore some new terrain. Boulder Cave, just off of Highway 410, seemed the perfect fit.
This isn’t much of a hike, but it’s a nice little roadside attraction. It’s also very toddler-friendly, making it a good choice for young families. However, the easy access means that you should expect a lot of company. Boulder Cave sees hundreds of visitors a day and parking is often a challenge. If you go, be prepared to share the trail. Some respite from the crowds can be found by forgoing the cave and continuing to follow the trail. The unmaintained path quickly thins and passes a small waterfall before depositing you at the creekside. From here, it’s possible to scramble a half-mile upstream to Devil Creek Falls. For the full report, check: http://www.hikingwithmybrother.com/[…]/boulder-cave-trail-962.html Jer Day hike
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It was a bit hot for us, which made going down into the canyon refreshingly cool. We waited for a ve...
It was a bit hot for us, which made going down into the canyon refreshingly cool. We waited for a very noisy summer group of kids to leave before we went through. So much for the bats and being quiet:/ The girls were a little disappointed it wasn't longer because they were having so much fun, so we went back through it again after we sat and had a snack by the stream. It was a great little hike but I can see that it is used as a party refuge at times from the graffiti and the younger people coming and going from another small cave off trail. It doesn't seem to be getting the respect it deserves although we did enjoy it and have good memories of it.
Boulder Cave
— Jul 17, 2011
— DSCCA
Day hike
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Wildflowers blooming
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We decided to head over to the other side to escape the rain. Having read the guide, this sounded l...
We decided to head over to the other side to escape the rain. Having read the guide, this sounded like a cool place to take the kids, and it was, sort of. The cave itself is interesting, though short. Everything else about the area was less than spectacular. First, from the parking lot to the cave and back is only about a mile. Second, the area was full of people with no respect for the area and what it is. There was trash all over the place, not only in the form of empty water bottles, soda cans, and beer cans. But also in the form of the people that throw this stuff everywhere. On our way back to the car, we passed at least two groups of people toting packs full of beer out to the cave. Bottom line, this could be an awesome place with some additional trail expansion and tighter rules enforcement. If you are going to go here, wait until the fall or spring when there will be less people. The cave is closed in the winter.
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Wildflowers blooming
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We arrived around 9 and were greeted by hosts who told us to pay, we had a pass. She also said someo...
We arrived around 9 and were greeted by hosts who told us to pay, we had a pass. She also said someone was busy spray painting the place the night before. What a shame! It's on trees, rocks, signs, people are so distructive.
We took pictures and enjoyed the flowers and went in the caves with our headlamps. I remember the first time here we were scared to go in, so much has changed. This was Annie's annual b'day hike we did Edgar Rock up the street after. Great day on the sunny side now that Chinook pass is open!
Boulder Cave
— Jun 18, 2011
— esains89
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Just got back from the hike today and we had a blast. Me and my wife did the hike in about an hour ...
Just got back from the hike today and we had a blast. Me and my wife did the hike in about an hour and a half with lots of time spent looking around. The site attendant was very kind and informative. There was a little bit of wildflowers around but nothing freshly blooming. The several built lookout areas were very nice to get a view of the stream running out of the cave and down the canyon. There is not way you could go in the cave without a good flashlight, it gets extremely dark. Once we got down, there was a bunch of picnic tables set up and fire pits to have lunch. We will be back!
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 In front of Boulder Cave. Photo by Hikingqueen.
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