I love this trail! Unfortunately today it was not accessible. About a mile from highway 530, a large fallen tree is fully blocking the road to the trailhead. Hopefully it can be cleared soon! We pivoted and hiked the nearby Mine Road trail for an icy cold hike. 

Beautiful hidden gem! Road was a bit pothole ridden but nothing a sedan can’t get around (I drive a Subaru Impreza for reference). We arrived to the TH at 10am on Sunday morning to find 4 other cars parked in the small parking area. The grade is gentle with a few down trees to navigate around/over/under as you make your way to the first waterfall. Such a stunning view! We continued onto the second waterfall, gaining some elevation but it felt steady and never too difficult. There’s a steep boot path down to the river to get closer to the falls that we took to admire the views and have a snack. This marked our turnaround point and we headed back to the TH, passing several groups (definitely started to get busier!). Overall, I tracked 5 miles RT and 700 ft of gain. Will definitely return to this trail in the future - it’s easy/moderate, not too crowded, and everyone we encountered was respectful and kind! 

Our group started out with no other cars at the TH around 7:45 am. The trail is rocky and rough with multiple creek crossings. It is muddy in many places. Expect to crawl over or around trees, branches, navigate a recent boot-sucking mudslide, and many slippery rocks and logs.

And...it's a beautiful hike with views of three very pretty waterfalls, a lovely river canyon, long stretches of good trail, and the reward of a tree-covered campsite at the end that offers some protection during lunch from the wet.

The snow started as we headed back from lunch making for slippery walking in places. Then snow turned to rain. And more rain. All as predicted. High temperatures around 36 degrees. We carried yak-tracks but did not use them. Trekking poles were helpful with all the slippery spots. It was good day for wearing waterproof everything (jacket, pants, hat, gloves, boots). 

(Road is has lots of potholes. Better to have decent clearance. The toilet early along the road is well stocked. No toilet at the TH. The trail starts with no signage, but the kiosk a short walk down the trail confirms you are on the right trail.)

Intended to visit another trail. Found the shaded curvy sections of the Mountain Loop Highway thickly covered in frost and retreated. The three miles of forest road to the Boulder River trailhead still have their fair share of potholes but that was safer than sliding off pavement into a ditch.

Arrived at the smaller elliptical shaped parking lot 1 of 4 cars and I was the only one left 3 hours later. The first 3/4 mile is an easy climb up a road bed. Trail narrows and got a few more rocks and roots from there. 

The first waterfall at 1.3 miles was the highlight for me. If you are satisfied and/or do not have much time, make your lunch spot here and return. I had time so I kept going. The 2nd waterfall pops out at 2.5 miles. From there, I am not sure the risk is worth the reward. The final mile+ has multiple water crossings and a few single log bridges. On the longer log crossing less than a half mile from my campground/river turnaround, you can drop down in the mud and sticks to avoid. I did that on the way and then attempted the log bridge on the way back. Confirmed that dropping into the mud both ways would have been the better choice.  Did not need micro spikes today but glad I had my hiking poles.

While I do not like sliding on frosty roads, I love seeing the trees covered with specks of white above the gray green water. Had a good one. Hope yours is better. 

Happy Trails!

We hiked in rainy day gear. There was lots of water on the trail. In some places the trail resembled a small creek. The good parts: few other hikers, spectacular waterfalls thundering down on the far side of the river, no bugs, and great photo opportunities.  If you do this hike be sure to wear waterproof boots. It's usually hikable year round. We only went about 3 miles until we came to a stream crossing the dogs were afraid of. It is a slippery log crossing thay you have to bushwack into. There was way too much water coming down to cross on the trail.