East Boulder Creek Falls

Following East Boulder Creek, the East Boulder Lake Loop takes you through a wide shallow canyon. Going through meadows the creek follows along. The route crosses the wilderness boundary into the Trinity Alps Wilderness. If you look closely off to the right you can see a few trails. These trails take you to Lower Boulder Lake and Cement Banks area. The farther along you go, about 0.75 miles from the wilderness boundary the trail begins to get steeper getting closer to a waterfall out from the East Boulder Lake. The rock that you will find along this trail is grey granite, much different than the red rock you are used to that covers the East Boulder Lake Basin. Once you reach the falls and continue onward, the trail crosses the creek before stopping at East Boulder Lake’s outlet. 

Trail to East Boulder Creek Falls:

The East Boulder Lake Loop begins mildly, following East Boulder Creek through a wide, shallow canyon. Craggy Peak, among the highest peaks in the Scott Mountains, can occasionally be observed through the fairly light forest cover. The creek remains on the right hand side of the trail, which passes through intermittent meadows. About 0.5 miles from the trailhead the route crosses the wilderness boundary, entering the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Continuing past the boundary, watch for faint use trails branching off to the right. These lead to Lower Boulder Lake and the Cement Banks area, a geologic formation similar to the Cement Bluff found at the east end of the Scott Mountains, near Mount Eddy and China Mountain. After 0.75 miles from the wilderness boundary, the trail begins to climb a little more earnestly, swinging close to a small waterfall a short distance from the outlet of East Boulder Lake. The rock along this section of the trail is gray granite, a stark contrast to the bright red rock that composes the East Boulder Lake Basin. After climbing above the falls, the trail crosses the creek immediately prior to being deposited at East Boulder Lake’s outlet.

Photo Credit: alltrails.com and hikemtshasta.com