1,212

Boulder River — Mar. 30, 2025

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Beware of: road, trail conditions
  • Hiked with a dog

2 people found this report helpful

 

The road in is definitely pot hole heavy. I was able to keep a steady 15mph in my trailblazer but sedans should be more cautious. Also a few tight squeezes for wider vehicles.

The trail itself is a great example of early season conditions: mud and small streams, but no snow. A few fallen trees to hop over/duck under, but nothing difficult. The waterfalls are roaring right now!

Boulder River — Mar. 29, 2025

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Beware of: road, trail conditions

4 people found this report helpful

 

Road has a cleared tree toward the start and potholes but was fine in my Impreza just going slow at times. Trail was in good shape to the waterfalls but we wanted mileage so went all the way to the end and had lunch at the camp by the river. Waterfalls are the big highlight though.

MANY stream crosses - especially the last 1-2 miles. We counted ~40. Some easy and just a step or hop over, others a bit trickier. I recommend poles and waterproof shoes are kind of required since there’s mud and a lot of water, some of it running, on the trail. I had gaters but didn’t need them.

Nice hike on an almost rain free day on a quiet trail with friends! Can’t beat it

Boulder River — Mar. 23, 2025

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Beware of: road, trail conditions

4 people found this report helpful

 

very wet and rainy, very muddy in spots and rocky and wet in others. Two downed trees that are easy to scramble over/under. Those were the only obstacles before the main waterfall. other than those two obstacles the trail is clear. easy-moderate difficulty level. the road to the trail has a few narrow spots due to downed trees and is full of potholes but my sedan made it, it was just slow going as to not bottom out on the potholes. hopefully this is helpful to others, happy hiking.

Boulder River — Mar. 17, 2025

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
1 photo
Beware of: road, trail conditions

3 people found this report helpful

 

Nice St. Patrick's Day hike.  Got soaked to the bone, as it was raining, snowing and hailing on and off.  Quite a few blowdowns on the trail, but most shouldn't be a problem to the relatively-spry.

Ton of potholes on the road, but sedans should be able to make it.

8.4 miles total, took us about 2 hours, 45 minutes each way.

Boulder River — Mar. 13, 2025

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
4 photos + video
Maddy
WTA Member
1K
Beware of: trail conditions
  • Hiked with a dog

22 people found this report helpful

 

Trip report #1000...🎉🎉🎉

This was good choice for a rainy day.  The waterfalls were flowing well and the wet moss and cloudy illumination really showed off the old growth forest.

The gravel access road has some potholes but any sedan could make it. There is one area where you have to drive under a fallen tree and the road is narrow and eroding here.  A very wide vehicle could have some trouble here.

The trail has several windfall but nothing difficult to negotiate.  

Feature Show Falls is the main attraction at 1.5 miles.  You get a better view by descending the short steep trail to the river edge. There's beautiful varied old growth forest beyond here.  Meditation falls at 2.8 miles is also worthwhile. We turned around at the interesting rocky lined gorge at 3 miles.  The forest is nice beyond this point but it's mostly smaller hemlock.

We didn't see any other hikers today.

6.1 mi RT, 1200 ft