Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Wallace Falls
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Central Cascades,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. First, check out the kiosk to read up on the falls, park, and their history. The way begins on a high-voltage line right-of-way. Buzzing along, take in a nice view of Mount Index and Baring Mountain. After 0.25 mile, enter a uniform forest of young hemlocks. The Wallace River becomes audible and its presence felt in the cool breezes funneling down the valley. At 0.4 mile, come to a junction. Left heads to the falls on an old logging rail-road grade. The easy grade attracts runners and mountain bikers. It makes for a nice loop option, adding about a mile and is best done on the return. Head right on the Woody Trail (named not for the surroundings, but for the late state senator, Frank Woody, who was a great advocate of the state's Youth Corps that helped construct this trail). Follow the trail through dark and dank forest, dropping down to river's edge. A short side trail branches off to a pretty series of small cataracts. But the big tumbles are still ahead. Under colonnades of moss-shrouded trees and accompanied by showy boughs of dark green ferns bursting from the ground, continue beside the roiling river. Benches provide spots for contemplation. Now pulling away from the river, the trail begins to climb. Thanks to the Washington Trails Association, the tread is tough and durable, ready to with-stand the thousands of boots that pummel it each season. At a little over a mile, a short side trail veers steeply left to connect with the Railroad Grade Trail. Continue straight, remaining high above the raucous river. At 1.4 miles, come to a junction. Left heads to the Railroad Grade Trail (your return option) and also to Wallace Lake via the Greg Ball Trail. Proceed straight, dropping to cross the North Fork Wallace River, and then begin a short and steep climb to the Lower Falls viewpoint and picnic shelter. A pretty sight, but what will probably catch your attention is the much bigger falls off in the distance. Continue up the trail. At 2.2 miles reach the viewpoint for the Middle Falls. At 265 feet, this falls is the park's highest, the one you can see from US 2 way down below, and one of the most impressive hydrological shows in the state. From the soggy overlook, stare right into the heart of the tumultuous falls roaring through a narrow chasm. The Upper Falls are another 0.5 mile beyond. Not quite as impressive, it's still nevertheless worth the 500-foot climb to get there. En route be sure to stop at the ledgy overlook above the Middle Falls for a sweeping view of the Skykomish River valley out to the Olympic Mountains.
Driving Directions:
From Everett follow US 2 for 28 miles east to the hamlet of Gold Bar. Just before milepost 28, turn left onto 1st Street (signed for Wallace Falls State Park). Pro-ceed for 0.4 mile to a four-way stop. Turn right onto May Creek Road and con-tinue for 1.5 miles to Wallace Falls State Park and the trailhead (elev. 300 ft). Privy and water available. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Trail snowed in from the beginning of the Greg Ball trail but well compacted and do-able without traction devices. We...
Trail snowed in from the beginning of the Greg Ball trail but well compacted and do-able without traction devices. We didn't posthole until we carved our own path along the road around the lake. Plenty of blowdowns under the canopy of the last stretch of road to Wallace Falls. The .1 mile diamond-marked route connecting the road to the falls can be very icey and slippery. Some compacted, slick snow between lower and upper falls. Very cold at the lake.
No water from the water fossett at the trailhead! 10+ miles roundtrip. Hike time: A slow 6+ hours due to all of the snow. Day hike
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Mudholes
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This hike was a last minute decision, chosen because it would be warmer than Boulder River that day.
The trail was...
This hike was a last minute decision, chosen because it would be warmer than Boulder River that day.
The trail was in good condition, there were a couple muddy spots and one or two large puddles covering the path above the falls. Along the wider part of the trail leading to the lake there were tiny patches of snow on the grass along the sides of the trail but nothing substantial. We encountered maybe a dozen other hikers on the trail from start to finish. GPS says we hiked almost 10 miles to do most of the loop, we didn't go all the way to the lake shore. Day hike
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Fall foliage
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Mudholes
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Railroad Pass - well kept trail, no mud noted.
Woody Trail - a lot of muddy areas because of high foot...
Railroad Pass - well kept trail, no mud noted.
Woody Trail - a lot of muddy areas because of high foot traffic No snow on either trail. Overall, good hike. Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Mudholes | Water on trail
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It's been years since I've been on this trail. I'd forgotten just how picturesque it is. The weather was clear...
It's been years since I've been on this trail. I'd forgotten just how picturesque it is. The weather was clear and sunny, albeit cold, but you couldn't have asked for a better day. There was no snow on the trail.
This is a very popular hike. As we hiked up to the falls we passed only a couple hikers. Going down, however, there were several groups that we passed including a Boy Scout troop. We chose to hike the Woody Trail to the Lower Falls viewpoint (that's as far as the kids made it today). The trail is well maintained but it is rocky making footing difficult at times. There are many stairs to climb and bridges to cross that can be a bit slippery. Because there are some areas of elevation gain this trail can be strenous. Older children should be fine on this trail. Younger ones may have difficulty with the footing and the elevation gain and you may need extra time to get to your destination. There are several benches along the way for weary hikers and many places to take a great picture. To see more of our hike visit http://1retromama.blogspot.[…]er-central-cascades-us.html . Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Water on trail
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Today, we had hoped to hike Beckler Peak, but the weather was not cooperative. We went to Wallace Falls as...
Today, we had hoped to hike Beckler Peak, but the weather was not cooperative. We went to Wallace Falls as our backup plan. The day started overcast. When we arrived at 11:15 am, there was plenty of parking at the trailhead. As usual, the trail was in good condition.
Tree limbs were richly coated with moss. Ferns were changing color to rich yellows, oranges, and browns, contributing to the fall color (which was somewhat in decline compared with last weekend). Wallace Falls is a fantastic hike for slugs, and despite the cold, we did run into an example of Arion ater (European black slug) on the trail. The trail was practically overrun with black slugs in the summer! As our hike continued, rain showers set in. We traveled to the Upper Falls, then followed the blue diamonds (sort of) to the old logging road that runs next to the Wallace River above the falls. Above the falls, the rain became mixed with snow flurries. Total elevation gain was 1400 feet, with a 6-mile round trip. Try to visit the river above the falls if possible--it's breathtaking. Nevertheless, it was cold and wet, and we turned back. The trail became wet with puddles, but that was secondary to rain. It handled the rain fairly well. Another highlight of the day was meeting another transplant from St. Louis along the trail. |
Lower Wallace Falls, pictured here, is arguably the most photographic; Middle Falls the most spectacular; and the Upper Falls the most lonely. Photo by 'ArashA'
2010, 2011
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Lost puppy
Did hike to upper falls, me, two friends, and my 14 week old Alaskan husky pup. There was a tragic accident, somehow,someway, my pup plunged over the falls. If you have any information please contact the ranger 360-631-6080.
Thanks for your help
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