Boulder Creek Trail to Appleton Pass

Dogs No Dogs

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail turns very rocky, especially after Boulder Creek Falls area.

Beginning at the former parking lot along the Olympic Hot Springs trail, take the right fork to ascent to Boulder Creek Campground. Cross through the campground easterly through marshy meadows then regain the trail. (At this point, you could take the trail to the south and make a detour down to the Olympic Hot Springs).

Continue on the trail through a dense forest along the north side of Boulder Creek, past the intersection with the Boulder Lake Trail. Cross the North Fork of Boulder Creek on a log bridge and listen for the sounds of Upper and Lower Boulder Creek Falls. These cascades have worn deep grooves and are worth the short side trips to visit, especially after a good rain.

Cross the South Fork of Boulder Creek, run up a few short switchbacks and then follow the valley upwards on mellow terrain for a short ways. Next, the incline steepens considerably with switchbacks and big vertical to attain before topping out at Appleton Pass, campsites available but water can be limited late in the summer. The meadows around Oyster Lake are spectacular and well worth spending time to explore. Enjoy views of Sol Duc Valley and Mt Olympus.

From the Pass start to descend in a westerly direction across the wildflower and berry covered mountainside on a fairly gentle descent. Go through pretty meadows under the imposing south ridgeline. Enter the forest and switchback steeply down the flank of South Appleton reaching two tiny murky ponds. Continue the steep descent through dense forest and cross Rocky Creek. The Appleton Pass trail ends at the intersection with the Sol Duc River Trail at the Appleton Junction campsite.

Lupine, bistort, elderberry, fir hemlock, cedar. Elk, deer, bear.