Day Hike - Boulder River

Suggested by local Ranger as one of their "winter favorites" - an easy journey along the Boulder River with many waterfalls, old-growth forest, bountiful ferns, and drippy green mosses.

Expect a good trail but some roots, mud, and water streams on trails but no snow due to low elevation.

We'll hike at a reasonably quick pace, 2.25+ mph while moving, but will stop to ooh & aah at waterfalls & views as they present. Lunch at the turnaround. 

WTA link

AllTrails Link

 8:45 am Ready to hike @      Boulder River Trailhead (google maps) - ideally, we'll organize some carpools - (6:45 @ Northgate anyone?)

The trailhead is ~1.5+ hours NE from Seattle off Hwy 530 (~ 45 min. beyond Arlington, WA)

From WTA:    From I-5 take Hwy 530, signed for Arlington/Darrington to exit 208. Exit right toward Arlington. Stay on 530 through Arlington. T23.6 miles from I-5, turn right onto French Creek Road, just after milepost 41. Follow French Creek Road, which is badly potholed in some places, for 3.7 miles to its end at the trailhead. There is parking for about 15 cars. There is a vault toilet a mile in from the turnoff on French Creek Road, but no facilities at the trailhead.

There was a downed tree blocking the road 3 miles from the trailhead but it has been cut to clear 9' across

Access Road Open but Use Caution: The Forest Service has cut out the large tree that fell in FR 2010 to Boulder River Trailhead but the root wad of the tree is still present. The road is passable but narrow, approximately 9ft in width between the root wad and a cut bank. Besides this problem spot, the road has been recently maintained (graded and spot rocked) and is in good condition.