State: Washington
Location: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Length, One-Way: 3.6 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 2700 feet
Elevation Change: 400 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Moderate
Parking: Northwest Forest Pass is required at trailheads.
Weyrhauser teams hand planted trees to replace those destroyed by the volcano
Trail Information
The Boulder Ridge Trail is one of the routes used by climbers as an approach to 10,781 foot Mt. Baker. The route is muddy, brushy and difficult to follow beyond 2.0 miles.
The trail wanders through forests for 2.0 miles then turns into a boot path. The path continues climbing through the forest, eventually breaking out on the Boulder Moraine. Follow the trail through the moraine to the base of the cliff at Boulder Ridge. Hikers and climbers will need to climb the cliff to access the ridge. The ridge offers open meadows and excellent views of Mt. Baker and the Boulder Glacier.
The trail enters the Mt. Baker Wilderness limiting party size to 12. Those parties climbing Mt. Baker are encouraged to sign the climbers’ register located at the Mt. Baker Ranger District office in Sedro-Woolley before heading to the trail.
Directions
From Sedro-Woolley:
Follow State Route 20 east for 16.0 miles to milepost 82. Turn left (north) on the Baker Lake Highway (Forest Road 11). Continue on the Baker Lake Highway for 18.0 miles. After passing Boulder Creek Campground and crossing Boulder Creek, turn left on Forest Road 1130. Drive Road 1130 for about 1.0 mile to the junction with Road 1131 and turn left. The trailhead and parking area are located at the end of Road 1131.
