Forest Service lands, roads, trails and recreation sites in the Grasshopper Fire area east of Mt. Hood are closed to protect visitors and firefighters. In effect through December 31, 2026.
Read the official closure orderIf you want a relaxed walk at the water’s edge, this easy path circles Boulder Lake, an alpine lake reached by Boulder Lake Trail #463. Along the shore you’ll find several dispersed campsites on the grounds of the former Boulder Lake Campground, which has been decommissioned.
The shortest approach begins on Forest Road 4880, which you reach from Hood River by taking Highway 35 south to Forest Road 48 and then following Forest Roads 4890 and 4880. Walk 0.4 mile west on Trail #463 to the lakeshore junction. For a longer hike, start at Bonney Meadows Trailhead, next to Bonney Meadows Campground, and follow the same trail about 1.7 miles south.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 1 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Barlow
Connects to: Little Boulder Trail #463A, Boulder Lake Trail #463
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Getting there
From Hood River, OR
- head south on Highway 35 to the junction of Forest Road 48.
- Head southeast on Forest Road 48 to the junction with Forest Road 4890 from the left fork.
- Choose the left side of the fork to transfer to the Forest Road 4880.
- The trailhead will be on the west side of the road.
From the Forest Service
Ranger office
Barlow Ranger District
Address: 780 NE Court St Dufur, OR 97021
Phone: 541-467-5100
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed 12 to 1 for lunch. (Closed on federal holidays)
Trails nearby
Little Boulder Trail #463A
1 mi round trip
178 ft
Easy
Boulder Lake Trail #463
5.4 mi round trip
1,345 ft
Hard
Forest Creek Trail #473
6 mi round trip
1,307 ft
Hard
Bonney Meadows Trail #471
10.8 mi round trip
3,190 ft
Very hard
Three Mile Trail #466
8.8 mi round trip
1,378 ft
Hard
Gunsight Butte Trail #685
10 mi round trip
2,058 ft
Very hard
Camp Windy Trail #685B
2 mi round trip
388 ft
Easy
Badger Creek Trail #479
24.4 mi round trip
4,625 ft
Very hard
Badger Lake Trail #479A
1.4 mi round trip
41 ft
Easy
Pine Creek Trail #465
3.8 mi round trip
1,341 ft
Hard
Rocky Butte Trail #475
2.4 mi round trip
667 ft
Moderate