Few sights are quite as rewarding to see and experience on a hike as a magnificent waterfall splashing down over rocks into a river, lake, or pond below. The three-tiered Wallace Falls on the Wallace River in western Washington State are so breathtaking that they are the focal point of one of the state\’s most popular hiking trails.
Located in Wallace Falls State Park, only an hour northeast of downtown Seattle, the Wallace Falls trail takes hikers through miles of lush old-growth coniferous forests to see all three tiers of the waterfalls. Though it climbs over 1,000 feet along its course into the Central Cascade Mountains, the trail is accessible to new and veteran hikers alike. If you\’re from the Seattle area or traveling through the western third of Washington, it\’s worth your time to check out this trail and the breathtaking Wallace Falls yourself.
Getting To The Trail
The entrance of Wallace Falls State Park is located at 14503 Wallace Lake Road in Gold Bar, a small city located 46 miles northeast of downtown Seattle in Snohomish County, Washington. Both the park and city sit on the western side of Stevens Pass in the central Cascade Mountains, which stretch from British Columbia all the way down to Northern California.
A Discover Pass is required to enter the park. A one-day pass costs $10, while an annual pass costs $30; both passes can be purchased before arriving at the park or at the dispenser in the parking lot. he park is open from 8:00 a.m. to dusk year-round, but as the park is very popular, it\’s worth getting to the park early on the weekends since the parking lot is usually full by 11 a.m. Furthermore, you should avoid parking on the county road leading up to the park\’s entrance since that can block local residents\’ driveways and pose a danger to other drivers and pedestrians.
Once you\’ve gotten out of your car and prepped yourself for the hike, you can head over the trailhead that sits right off the side of the parking lot. After viewing the information kiosk and using the restrooms if needed, you can head down underneath some tall powerlines, catch a view of Baring Mountain and Mount Index in the distance, and then enter the old-growth forest to begin the hike.
Following The Trail Through The Forest
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Though the Wallace Falls trail loops through 5.9 miles of old-growth forest and climbs up over 1,300 feet via some steep climbs and switchbacks, the trail is welcoming to new hikers, kids, and pets just as much as seasoned hikes. The promise of seeing gorgeous Wallace Falls will also give hikers the energy they need to keep moving forward. Note that if you decide to bring a dog along with you, you must keep them on a leash. Even the best-trained dogs can unintentionally get swept away down the falls; there\’s also a strictly enforced fine for owners who don\’t have their dogs on leashes.
At the half-mile marker, the trail splits off in two directions. The trail to the left leads to the old Railroad Grade trail that travels north for four miles up to Wallace and Jay Lakes; this trail is great for bikers and more seasoned hikers. The trail on the right leads to the Woody Trail that climbs upwards along the course of the Wallace River and the falls themselves.
Seeing Wallace Falls Cascade Through The Cascades
The Wallace Falls are named for Joe and Sarah Kwayaylsh, members of the indigenous Skykomish people and the first homesteaders on the land that now makes up the state park. Standing over 265 feet tall, the falls tumble down and through Stevens Pass in three distinct sections: upper, middle, and lower. After hiking flat and steep sections along the first two miles of the trail, you come to the Lower Falls, where you can pause and take in the beauty of the rushing waters and the lush green forest around them.
Half a mile further up, you come to the Middle Falls, which offer the most panoramic views of a wide swathe of western Washington. At the Middle Falls, you can look out across the Skykomish River Valley and the Olympic Mountains far to the west, on the opposite side of the Puget Sound. While you can turn around and head back to the parking lot after drinking in the beauty of the Middle Falls and its panoramic views, you\’d be missing the chance to see the falls from the third and final vantage point at the top.
The trail to the Upper Falls is by far the steepest and most strenuous part of the trail, climbing a half mile via multiple switchbacks to reach the top. Your reward is seeing the source of the falls as the river\’s water tumbles over the steep cliff face. It\’s well worth the effort you put in to see all three sections and all nine waterfalls that collectively make up Wallace Falls.
Final Thoughts
The tall mountains, beautiful old growth temperate rainforests, and the rushing waterfalls of western Washington are among the most beautiful places in the United States. Wallace Falls State Park and the natural features that give it its name are well worth the long and occasionally strenuous trail through Stevens Pass to see all three of its segments in person. For Washington state residents and out-of-state visitors, these falls are a testament to the state\’s natural beauty and an excellent place to visit on a day trip or as part of a longer vacation.
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