East Fork of the North Fork of the Big Wood River

This little-used trail through the Hemingway Boulders Wilderness is a great way to experience the rugged beauty of the Boulder Mountains. Most of the hikes through that range are either long and difficult or require a tough drive up Trail Creek Road. This 4-miler does have some climb to it, but most of the ascent is gradual, with only a few short sections of sharp climb. The scenery is fantastic. After an initial ascent through a mountain meadow, much of the hike is through a Douglas fir forest along a ridge overlooking a beautiful valley forged by the river. Later in the hike, the trail alternates between forest and open areas where rock slides took out the standing trees. The views to the Boulder Mountains improve as you near the destination and the river roars over shallow drops to create impressive waterfalls.

The destination is a meadow that sits just above the small river – a great spot for a picnic. The trail does continue past the meadow, but it is grown-over in spots and deadfall makes the route more difficult to find the further you go.

This hike sits on the uncomfortable side of “Family-Friendly” but fit families with older children will find it a nice way to spend a few hours in the wonderfully wild Boulders. It is also a great option for anyone seeking solitude, as it generally averages less than one group of hikers a day, even during the heart of summer.