Washington State Park: Wallace Falls

Growing up in Monroe, I spent a bit of time at our local state park Wallace Falls. It was the local park and a fun hike on the weekend, even in the winter. When higher elevations were snowed in, Wallace Falls was there for us, like an old friend. It has been a fall-back hike years when snow lingered in the mountains longer than desired. And it's been a perfect late season hike. It was also one of the hikes I went on with my big 4x5 view camera when I was taking classes on exposure in college.

I understood, after that hike, why William Henry Jackson had donkeys.

The park hasn't changed a lot and yet it has changed so much. Rental cabins have been added to add more space for anyone wanting to sleep close to the Wallace River. Plus a few more trails have been added leading hikers to Wallace Lake and Jay Lake. Backpackers can now sleep overnight near Wallace Lake with a permit from the park.

But the true draw here is the falls. Wallace Falls is three falls along the river, creatively named upper, middle & lower falls. Each spectacular on their own, but all together quite amazing. Middle falls can be seen from highway 2. Each falls has its own viewing area plus there are viewpoints along the trail that look out over the Skykomish valley.

Don't be in too much of a hurry to get the the main attraction. The Wallace River is beautiful as it tumbles over river rocks below low hanging limbs of the thick forest. Take the small side trail to Small Falls, an appetizer for the main attraction. You'll see these if you hike the Woody Trail which I advise either on the way to or from - you will not want to miss them. The Railroad Grade is an easier climb but longer. The walk here can be cool in the summer heat with the overhanging maples and alders that turn yellow in the fall.

Small details of the forest can be found on either trail (and you can make a loop out of your hike with a short connector trail - the connector trail also gets you to the Greg Ball Trail which leads to Wallace Lake). Small streams, ferns, flowers, and mushrooms help bring life to the forest. Bring your macro lens for some of the details.

This is a park where you'll want to bring your long lens, your short lens and your macro lens. You'll find an opportunity to use them all.

To get there, drive Highway 2 to the town of Gold Bar. Westbound, turn right on 1st Ave, Eastbound turn left. Turn right onto May Creek Rd and follow for about 3/4 of a mile. Turn left on Wallace Lake Rd, and arrive at the park.