Hiking: Wallace Falls State Park

Come forth into the light of things.
Let nature be your teacher.
-W. Wordsworth

Spring weather in the Pacific Northwest can be rather interesting.

When we arrived at the Wallace Falls State Park, the rain was still pouring down. So we decided to sit in the car and have breakfast. Minutes later the sky cleared and we set out for the hike.

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If you love water, you will love this park.

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It begins with a woody trail alongside the rushing rapids of the Wallace River.

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Shortly thereafter, you encounter your first waterfall – Little Falls

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Given the amount of rain we’ve had this year, the volume of water is rather impressive.

Back to the main trail, you are in old growth forest.

But this isn’t your typical forest. It is a temperate rain forest – where trees are covered with epiphytic mosses.

And new lives sprout from decaying nursery logs.

The trail is mostly flat with a few climbs here and there,

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and a couple of nice wooden bridges to cross,

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until you reached the Lower Falls.

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This is where you say goodbye to the crowds.

And press on to the Middle Falls.

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Here, the best view of the trail awaits.

You may choose to turn around. But there’s only half a mile to go to the Upper Falls.

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And one more overlook to check out – for a panoramic view of the Skykomish River valley.

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The Upper Falls is nothing to rave about. But if weather cooperates,

you get a surprise.

Downhill is relatively easy.

Upon exiting the woods, you can pause underneath the buzzing power lines and identify these mountains (from left to right): Mt. Baring, Philadelphia Mountain, Mt. Index and Mt. Persis.

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Wallace Falls State Park is a well maintained family-friendly hiking trail in Gold Bar, Washington. It is best visited in spring when water is abundant and the forest lush green.

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Driving Directions:

Proceeding from Everett on Hwy 2, approach the city of Gold Bar. Turn left onto 1st Street, then drive .4 miles and take a right onto May Creek Rd (there will be Wallace Falls signage for both turns).

Snake your way up May Creek Rd for 1.3 miles until you reach a Y-junction. Right will take you into Camp Huston, so proceed left and drive up a short path into the Wallace Falls State Park parking lot. The lot is spacious, but can easily fill up on the weekends as the park is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

Please do not park along the road that accesses the parking area for Wallace Falls State Park.

There are bathroom facilities just off the parking lot and also on the trail (just a quick .2 mile detour at the 1.5 mile marker on the Woody trail). The hours of operation for the park are 8 a.m.-dusk. The information kiosk should have a clock clearing labeling sunset as reference for hikers heading out.

A Discover Pass is required for visitors but can be purchased at a dispenser in the Wallace Falls parking lot.

25 thoughts on “Hiking: Wallace Falls State Park”

  3. Such a gorgeous trail–thank you for taking us along for the hike with your beautiful photos! So interesting to experience hail and sun within the same hike, too. Adding this one to our to-hike list next time we’re in WA. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  14. Oh, wow, not your typical hiking photos. How was it under that hail? Not as scary as in the open, without the trees above? Because to me that is one of the scariest thing, in car or on foot.

    Like

    Reply

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