Boulder Pass Trail
Boulder Pass Trail is a long-distance hiking route in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Washington state. The typical out-and-back distance is about 18 miles, using the White River Trailhead as the start/end point on White River Road (Forest Road 6400) north of Lake Wenatchee.
The route climbs from the White River Trailhead to Boulder Pass with roughly 3,900 ft of elevation gain, then drops into the Napeequa Valley on the other side of the pass. A common plan is to hike the ascent in one push and camp or spend the night before the descent.
Expect sustained uphill grades and a difficult-feeling descent. The lower section descending from Boulder Pass toward the Napeequa River is often brushy, hard to keep track of, and can be unmaintained in parts—so route-finding matters, especially if visibility is poor.
Water and terrain logistics hinge on the Napeequa River crossing near the lower part of the route. Crossings can be hazardous during high water; later in the summer/fall the ford is reported to be more manageable (mid-thigh to waist-deep rather than deeper/stronger).
Trail character on the early miles of the inbound route includes brushy avalanche-chute terrain along the White River corridor before turning onto the Boulder Pass line. Around the camping area and climb to the pass, the route transitions through old growth, switchbacks in more open terrain, and increasingly brushy meadow sections.
Access is via the end of White River Road (Forest Road 6400), and parking at the trailhead requires a Northwest Forest Pass. The trail is mapped on forest paths/surfaces, with ground tread and excellent visibility as the route is generally easy to spot where it is clearly treaded—though the brushy descent side is the place to expect navigation friction.