Boulder Lake — Tuesday, Apr. 26, 2005

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

The Boulder Lake trail is obviously little used and little maintained. The nettles and mountain wild roses are crowding the trail and some of smaller plants are growing right in the tread. The first mile or two up the eroded logging road and then across the old avalanche apron is very stony and ankle threatening. Up in the trees the trail is gentle and very pleasant. There are only two blown down trees, both minor obstacles and some sloppy snow above 3500 feet which should melt out in about a week at these temperatures. The boardwalks and bridges are in fine shape and the lake with its campsites are quite beautiful. The lake ice sheet is very thin and rapidly melting. Spring is here and so are the flowers. Trilliums and Bleeding Hearts, Queen's Cup and Glacier Lillies, Skunk Cabbage and Shrubby Cinquefoil were all out to decorate the trail. It was a glorious day for an easy hike. We reached the lake in 90 minutes and the return trip took about the same length of time.