The road in was very bumpy. I was also in a mini cooper so I would go in a different vehicle if possible. you have to squeeze your car past a fallen tree that's been cut, and a steep embankment. The trail was great and pretty easy. It only took me 40 minutes to get to the waterfall. You have to scramble from the trail to the water once you're there. Great, beautiful, hike!

The trail was in great shape due to the hard work of a lovely WTA trail crew out today. Thanks so much for all you do! I’ve been on a couple of BCRT’s in the past and decided I will commit to join a trail crew this summer - how about you? 😊 If we all put in 1 day on a trail crew each year it would really help our forest service and parks personnel, not to mention keep our trails in great shape for all of us to enjoy. Many hands make light work.

Oh, and the waterfalls were a joy under the bright blue skies.

This is a great trail for families with younger kids (see warning below). I hiked this trail with my 10 year old kiddo and he was able to keep up with me to Boulder River Falls and back. We clocked in some 7km from the car to the falls and back to the car.

The Caveat: The access road to the trailhead is damaged/obstructed by a tree that has fallen across the road. The tree is partially still blocking the narrow road. Vehicles not narrow enough to squeeze through risk going off the deep end of that shelf road! Vehicles too high will hit the overhanging tree still obstructing the road. Passing that spot requires a little bit of nerves and a steady hand. Nervous drivers, you have been warned!

The Good: The falls are gorgeous. There are wildflowers blooming. The forest along the river is pretty.

The Bad: While the trail is in pretty good shape, there are some fallen trees that require some scrambling and climbing under and over them. Nothing that can't be managed by reasonably fit people. Warning: At various points along the trail, there are sudden, deep and steep drop-offs from the edge of the trail. Don't let your kids and pets get too close to those edges - a fall will be lethal. That's about the only caveat about this trail regarding accessibility and family compatibility. Another bad thing about this trail: it is VERY popular and crowded. Unfortunately, it shows in how the trail surroundings are littered with tissues and toilet paper. I saw a couple of plastic bottles and cans thrown along the trail too.

There was one other vehicle at the trailhead when I arrived at 0730am on this beautiful Tuesday morning. 

The road in does have some potholes and there are some rim busters and drink spillers if you aren't paying attention. The fallen tree at the start of the forest service road does stick out a far amount but I was able to squeeze by in the big 4x4 Tundra. My best advice is to pick a line and stay committed when dodging potholes- I was able to maintain a speed of almost 20mph the whole way. 

The trail is shaded the entire duration. The tread is rocky, rooty but easy on the feet so nearly any footwear is appropriate on this hike. There are some muddy spots, and some questionable bridge crossings as well as a wide creek crossing that in some parts, is ankle deep. My feet stayed relatively dry but not mud free. 

The Boulder River Wilderness is rich with history- and some remnants still remain early in in the hike. There are massive trees that survived the logging boom that you can not get your arms all the way around. The river was running wild, turquoise in color with a couple large cascading waterfalls to stare and gawk at. Watch your step; some of the trail has sheer drop-offs as you round some corners and clamber over rocks. 

The elevation is never overbearing but enough, in some areas, to get the lungs pumping and the quads burning. A good little work out. 

There are several downed trees along the way that'll ensure you stay on top of your yoga sessions but if you're feeling creaky and stiff, you'll be fine. 

I reached the end of the trail, stared hopelessly at the infamous Boulder Ford, (a once trail of yesteryear that allowed access to the Three Fingers climb) and reminisced on how such trails could become so non-existent. Nevertheless, I moved on and made my way back to the trailhead. 

8.4 miles. 700 feet of elevation gain. Three hours and 30 minutes from car to car. 

The road to the trailhead is riddled with potholes, and there is one downed tree that narrows the road somewhat - proceed with caution!  The road also had 6 or so pull-offs that would be nice for dispersed / car camping.  Arrived @ 9:30 A.M. w/ party of 4 - end of road was more or less a 'cul de sac' wide dirt parking area, with a majority of it taken up by cars.  But there were plenty of spots just a bit further back on the road.  

A beautifully crisp, sunshine-y morning and spirits were high - There's not much that beats early A.M. sunshine filtering through mossy trees. Some (verrrry) slight bugginess.  Salmon berries were starting to pop and the fiddleheads pushing up.  The sun on the damp foliage was creating steam columns everywhere we looked.  The only bird-song we noticed on this hike were chatty Pacific wrens and the occasional distant raven.   We noticed at the Boulder River wilderness boundary, the permit self-register station seems to be in disrepair - we didn't see any permit registration materials besides the information board itself.  

 You get some nice vistas of the mountain-scape to the north at the onset of the trail - The trail is wide for a short while, but then narrows and gets immediately rockier, and wetter, but it's still very manageable.   It seems as if this trail has seen some slide / washout action, as there are chunks taken out of it at times.  So watch your step, and also because for much of this trail you are walking next to a pretty sheer drop down to Boulder River below.    At about a mile in, we explored a trail leading down to two distinct campsite areas, which could maybe fit around 3 tents each.

The roar of the Boulder Falls up ahead spurred us on, and boy was it incredible - she was FLOWING.  A slightly technical descent down the bluff gets you next to the river, and right underneath the waterfall amidst all the spray.  Plenty of families and dogs out on this morning, enjoying the early spring sunshine.  And I saw a lot of good dog-owner etiquette on this hike :).  I looked hard for any signs of American Dippers in the rapids (our favorite bird - we even named our cat after it), but alas no sign.   

I also want to give a shout out to the group of 7 or so young men who were giddily driving their electronic truck toys on the rocky trail - I have never seen that before!  They were all very respectful in giving other hikers their space, while obviously still having a ton of fun with their adult Hot Wheels.  Loved seeing this type of bonding activity, and seeing folks embrace their inner child :D.

We continued on past the falls - there is one big downed tree across the trail that requires some over-under limbo wizardry, but besides that the trail proceeds about the same. After about a mile we reached another (slightly smaller) waterfall, with a nice mossy river-side sitting spot to boot.  Lunched here and turned around.   

It's embarrassing that it's taken me this long, but I finally remembered to bring a trash bag, and collected a few poop bags and other littered items along the trail.   I am going to be better about giving back to the trails and spaces that give me so much joy -  especially with all of the recent forest service & trail maintenance cuts.  I urge others to do the same!

Slightly more cars in the parking area upon our return @ 1 PM, but it still didn't seem over-crowded.   Went 5.5 miles in total - I will need to return so I can reach the trail terminus and check-out the campsite at the end!

There are restrooms halfway back down the road to the Oso Highway - they were open but did not have any toilet paper or hand-sanitizer.