Boulder Creek (Falls) #617

Excellent dirt trail beginning with a gentle grade, becoming steep later. The trail is well marked and starts in a stand of huge ponderosa pines and follows the east side of Boulder Creek. Please note that the trail is used often by horseback riders. Boulder Creek Falls makes a wonderful day hike, reaching the falls in just 5 miles. The trail starts on smooth, springy dirt trail near the stream in a charming flower-filled woods. For the first 2 miles the trail is very easy, climbing quite gradually. It continues, sometimes in heavy forest, sometimes in the open, crossing several side drainages along the way, rarely right beside Boulder Creek. One noticeable side stream, Crow Creek, can be quite wide and deep
(especially in the spring). A log footbridge just above the trail was placed for crossing in 2001 so you don’t have to get your feet wet anymore (though in the heat of the summer, this is a great place to take a short break and cool off your feet). The trail slope begins to increase and becomes moderately steep at about three miles. Here the trail emerges onto an open slope and offers views of the towering steep canyon walls. Boulder Peak looms to the west.
As you hike closer you will be able to hear the falls, but not see them. Here you face a large switchback that seems to take you away from the falls on a steep uphill pull. Just after, you will emerge on a shelf next to the first of the waterfalls. You can hear the falls across the flat boulders to your left. Simply walk out over the boulders to see the falls. Walk along the edge a little higher to a second waterfall located 300 yards above the first, with a deep pool just
below