Boulder Creek Trail #1552


Area Status: Open

This trails spans the Boulder Creek Wilderness running north and south. The trail travels on and off Boulder Creek for the southern 6 miles, then leaves the creek and proceeds along the ridgetop to the Calapooya Divide.

The trail winds mostly through a closed canopy of Douglas-fir and hemlock, with very few open vistas available. About 2 miles up from the bottom is a large open stand of old growth Ponderosa Pine. This area, known as Pine Bench, is one of the most popular spots in the wilderness. A small spring is located on the north side of Pine Bench about 150 feet off the trail.

This trail can be walked in one day, but an overnight campout makes a more pleasant hike. Hiking the trail from the top and coming out to a vehicle at the bottom is the easiest way to hike the entire length of this arduous trail. Trail grades exceed 15 percent, making this a fairly steep trail.

At a Glance

Open Season: Year Round
Usage: Light
Restrictions: Wilderness restrictions apply
Closest Towns: Glide, OR
Water: Not available. Surface water should be treated.
Information Center: Diamond Lake Ranger District

General Information

General Notes:

During the summer of 1996 the Spring Fire burned through 11,550 acres in the south half of the Boulder Creek Wilderness. Along the trail, the fire burned mostly the brush under the canopy, leaving the tree tops, however there are a few areas where the fire burned complete trees as well.

Wilderness rules apply.


Directions:

South Access:

From Roseburg, OR, travel east on Highway 138 for 55 miles. Then turn north onto Forest Road 4775, the Medicine Creek Road. Go about 50 feet and turn left onto Forest Road 4775-011. Go to the end of the road about 2.6 miles to the gate. A small parking area is present. Proceed on foot past the gate about 100 yards. The Boulder Creek Trail takes off to the right and the Jesse Wright segment of trail 1414 is to the left.

The trail may also be reached via the Soda Springs Trail #1493 and the Bradley Trail #1491 near Boulder Flat Campground.

Umpqua National Forest Recreation Map reference is G-5. Location is Township 26 south, Range 2 east, Section 13. Latitude and Longitude: 43.303570, -122.526100.

North Access:

Boulder Creek Trailhead

From Roseburg, OR, travel east on Highway 138 for 55 miles. Then turn north onto Forest Road 4775, the Medicine Creek Road. Go about 8.8 miles and turn left onto Forest Road 3402-999, the Thorn Mountain Road. Proceed for about 7.8 miles on this road, then turn left onto Forest Road 34. About 1.8 miles brings you to the Calapooya Divide, the ridge between the Umpqua and Willamette National Forests. Turn left onto Forest Road 2154 and go about 1 mile. Turn left onto Forest Road 2154-236, go about 1.5 miles, the road becomes Forest Road 3810-436. Continue for another 0.5 mile, then turn right on Forest Road 3810. Continue on this road for about 3.8 miles.

The trailhead is a small turnout to the left. Umpqua National Forest Recreation Map reference is G-5. Location is Township 25 south, Range 3 east, Section 17. Latitude and Longitude: 43.39427, -122.4806.


Activities

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

This is considered are more difficulte 10.6-mile trail.

Backpacking

Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:
  • This trail can be walked in one day, but an overnight campout makes a more pleasant hike.
  • Hiking the trail from the top and coming out to a vehicle waiting at the bottom is the easiest way to hike the entire length of this arduous trail.
  • Trail grades exceed 15%. This is a fairly steep trail. 
Difficulty Level: Difficult

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Area/Length : 
10.6 miles

  Elevation : 
1,600 feet - 5,400 feet range