Boulder River

North Cascades

updated 2 weeks ago

The French Creek Road to the Boulder River trailhead remains rough with numerous potholes and ruts, but is passable for sedans with caution. Parking appears ample, with reports from July 18th and 5th indicating easy parking even on Saturdays. The trail itself is generally in good condition, featuring typical rocks and roots. Several downed trees are present, but easily navigable as of July 24th.

While small streams along the trail may be dry, the river is low, and waterfalls like Feature Show Falls are still running well, as noted on July 24th. Berries, including thimbleberries and huckleberries, are ripening or have recently run their course, offering seasonal foraging opportunities. Hikers report a wild and peaceful atmosphere, with trail density varying from quiet on weekdays (July 9th) to moderately busy on Saturdays.

generated from 66 reports

Sources

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

French Creek Road to the trailhead is rough with lots of potholes and ruts but a sedan make it through with care. Even with a small SUV we felt like bobble-heads. There were quite few vehicles at the ...

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

road was rough but passable, lots of berries. river was gorgeous. lots of banana slugs. parking at 830 on a Saturday was easy. not too busy. we turned around at the second falls, 6 ish miles total and...

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

I'd highly recommend stopping at the Oso Landslide Memorial Site that is on the highway about 5 miles before the French Creek road turnoff.Β  It's a beautifully done series of info boards that tell the...

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Arrived at the trail head at 10:30am and there were only 3 cars there. The trail stayed quiet all day. Most of the other hikers only went to the falls. Which meant I had the rest of the trail to mysel...

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

As mentioned the road has quite a few potholes, but as far as forest service roads go it wasn't bad. I made it in my 2017 Hyundai accent with only scraping a couple times, and I might have been able t...

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Saturday, June 20, 2026FR 2010 Road Conditions:Almost the entire 3.7-mile road was badly potholed, contrary to WTA’s description that only some areas were rough. Driving slowly was essential.Vault Toi...

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

The trail was nicely maintained and absolutely beautiful with all of the ferns new growth. The river is beautiful and the unnamed waterfall was spectacular with all of the new green vegetation surroun...

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

It's been a while since I have done this hike.Β  We got an early start to beat some of the crowds, this hike can get busy.Β  It's a beautiful hike along side the river the whole time.Β  There are also tw...

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Nice hike!I mostly wanted to say that WTA seems to have underestimated the gain. 2 GAIA apps tracked us at 8.96 miles with 1323 gain, from the trailhead to the little camp on the river which shows as ...

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

slightly muddy in places but nothing a good pair of hiking boots cant handle

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