1.1 hr
Overview
The Boulder Lakes are in a forgotten corner of the Mount Hood region, yet remain close enough to Portland to be a day hike destination. There are good campsites at Boulder Lake, Little Boulder Lake and Bonney Meadows, so this loop hike could work as an overnight backpack. Note that the alternate approach to this loop is described in the Bonney Meadows to Boulder Lakes Hike, and features a developed campground at the trailhead. Also, please note that 0.8 miles of the loop follows a little-used logging spur—you will be unlikely to encounter vehicles, but should keep an eye out for them, nonetheless. The hike begins after a somewhat bumpy drive on gravel roads to the Boulder Lake Trailhead. From the signed trailhead at wide shoulder of the road, the trail disappears into a thicket of alder and willow, then heads up the ravine holding the seasonal outlet stream from Boulder Lake. Climb steadily, passing tiny Spinning Lake before reaching the well-signed Boulder Lake-Little Boulder Lake Trail Junction at 0.3 miles. Boulder Lake has several fine campsites along the east and south shores, and even a picnic table, but because of the short access trail, you should expect campers here on summer weekends. A loop trail circles the lake. If you're planning a backpack, you could set up camp here and continue the rest of the loop as a backpack—but plan to carry water back from Bonney Meadows or boil water from the lake, as there are no reliable streams near the lake. To continue the loop from the signed junction near the lake outlet, turn left (south) and follow the Little Boulder Lake Trail (No. 463A) as it begins climbing the shoulder of the steep ridge abutting Boulder Lake. The trail soon curves around the ridge and makes a gentle descent to the basin that holds Little Boulder Lake. You will reach the northeast lake shore at the 1.0 mile mark, and there are campsites located along the east side of the lake. While not apparent, a little-used logging spur circles to the east of the lake, along the rim of the Boulder Cree
Trail Stats
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326 m
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Photos
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