Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
Leader: Erik Fernandez
Location: Mount Hood National Forest

Boulder Lake is adjacent to the Badger Creek Wilderness and hides between old-growth forests and high mountain cliffs.

While there are several trails in the Boulder Lake area, the most satisfying and easiest to find trail is the Boulder Lake Trail #463. On your way to Boulder Lake’s stunning turquoise green waters, you'll pass dark evergreen firs and hemlocks and a lush high elevation meadow. The Boulder Lake area boasts pristine old-growth Pacific silver fir forests and contains the largest unprotected stand of old-growth in the Mount Hood National Forest. In addition, the area's wild meadows provide high quality fawning and calving areas for deer and elk.

Seasonal variations in the Boulder Lake area make this a place to visit all year round (except winter, when the roads are inaccessible). The summer is a time not to miss, when the lush green grasses and meadows attract abundant elk.

As part of our Roadless Recreation week, you'll hear more about the protections of the Roadless Rule, threats to roadless areas, and see first hand the values of Oregon's backcountry forestlands. 

Sign up for the hike here.

If you are unsure if your Oregon Wild membership is current, please call 503.283.6343 x 224. To join, please click here.