As we made our way north from the Seattle area towards the Skykomish River Valley to take a hiking trip to Wallace Falls, we were surrounded in a dense layer of fog that had us wondering whether or not we’d even be able to view the falls. We arrived at the parking area, which seemed to be on the edge of the fog bank, and started up the short trail that would eventually lead us to Wallace Falls.
About a mile into the Wallace Falls Trail, we found ourselves above the dense layer of low-lying fog with bright sunlight filtering through the trees. The sight of clear skies above us after an especially gloomy winter period in Seattle reinvigorated us and added to the magic of this hike.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with all the information necessary to plan an incredible hike to one of our favorite waterfalls in Washington State.
We`ll start with the fundamentals – how long is the hike and what route should you take – and then provide you with a detailed trail report based on our experience. Oh, and we`ll cover the best viewpoints along the trail to get a picture-perfect perspective of the falls.
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Table of Contents
Wallace Falls: Hike Details
- Length: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft.
- Season: Spring – Fall (sometimes in winter)
- Trail Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
- Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
- Permit Required: Discover Pass or a $10 daily pass procurable at the machine in the parking area
- Starting Point
This hike – which is among our favored wanders in Washington State – is surprisingly arduous. We saw five miles and thought “how difficult can it be?” However, the post-holiday weight and winter inactivity led to a much tougher hike than we were anticipating.
Scaling 1,500 feet over two miles or so is no trivial task, and there are numerous switchbacks to surmount before reaching the cascades.
Route Options for Hiking to Wallace Falls
The most direct route starts from the Wallace Falls State Park parking lot and heads up the Woody Trail, which takes you directly to all of the varying tiers of the falls. This is the route that we will describe below, and is our recommendation for most individuals.
However, there are a couple of alternate routes available that could provide you with a marginally different path on the return to the starting point. Here are the two primary alternatives, as we see them.
The Railroad Grade
This ascent along the old forest road provides a wider and more gradual incline compared to the Woody Trail, which contains more tree roots. The road has a improved grade.
About a quarter mile after leaving the parking lot, you’ll arrive at a junction where you can turn right, taking you down to the banks of the Wallace River and onto the Woody Trail, or up to the left, which leads to the Railroad Grade.
Reaching the falls requires traveling approximately one additional mile each way, and hikers have the option of returning to the parking lot via the trail after completing an out-and-back hike along the Railroad Grade.
Additional trail information may be found here.
The Wallace Lake Add-On
At the River Overview, you’ll reach a junction that heads along the Greg Ball Route out to Wallace Lake.
It’s a three mile hike, one way, from the junction to the lake, and the route linked here doesn’t include the hike to the Middle Falls viewpoint, which is undoubtedly the one hikers should DEFINITELY attain.
Adding in Wallace Lake on the return means a hike of roughly 11 miles if that viewpoint is the destination.
More details about the trail can be found here.
The Best Time to Hike to Wallace Falls
This hike is excellent from the spring through the fall, when the trails are free of snow.
We also enjoy the mossy, ferny aspect that you’ll find in the wetter months, which makes you feel like you’re wandering through an enchanted forest.
For context, the hike up to Wallace Falls occurred in late January after an extended period of somewhat warm weather for the area (warm referring to temperatures in the 40s Fahrenheit range). On either side of the time of our hike, snow and ice covered the trail.
The falls will be at their apex in winter and spring, when additional water renders the vista from Valley View snowcapped and spectacular.
In the summer, the falls are less impressive as the rain stops and the warm climate rolls in.
In the winter, you’ll regularly find snow and ice on the trail, notably in the week or so after major storms.
Whatever time of the year you visit Wallace Falls, be sure to check recent trail reports to see what conditions are like before departing.
Getting to the Wallace Falls Trailhead
The trailhead for this hike is within Wallace Falls State Park, which is just off of Highway 2 as you get to Gold Bar on the way up to Stevens Pass. Here it is on Google Maps.
From Seattle, it will likely take approximately one hour depending on traffic flow and your precise point of origin.
The most effective way to arrive is to take route 522 East, which connects with Highway 2 in Monroe. You can either take 520 East across Lake Washington, or take I-5 north up to the junction with 405, and head south on 405 to the junction with 522 East.
Bear in mind that using Highway 520 involves a toll, so if saving on expenses is a priority, the I-5 route will add only approximately five extra minutes of driving despite having no fees.
Once you’re on Highway 2, follow it through a couple of tiny towns until you reach Gold Bar, where you’ll turn left and make a couple of turns, following signs to Wallace Falls State Park.
Parking at the Trailhead
A sizable parking area exists at the trailhead, complete with flush toilets and a payment kiosk where parking fees may be paid! However, on weekends, this parking lot is commonly filled by 10:00 am, if not earlier. Especially during summer months.
To secure a parking spot on a weekend, arrive by 10:00 am at the latest.
We were there on a weekday morning during winter when few others were around, and the parking lot was about half full at noon when we finished the hike. When we arrived at 9:00 am, there were only three vehicles in the lot, including our own.
Fees and Passes Required
This hike lies within Wallace Falls State Park, meaning you’ll need to either show a Discover Pass in your automobile, or pay a $10 daily use fee at the machine in the parking area.
The Uncover Pass is worth purchasing if you`re scheduling on going to three or more Washington State Parks in the next 12 months.
It’s also worth noting that the pass is good for two vehicles, allowing the household to share just one if they have two cars.
You can either procure it online from REI beforehand, or you can obtain it on location at Wallace Falls State Park.
Additional data on the Discover Pass, wherever you can get it, and extra details here.
Hiking the Wallace Falls Trail: A Complete Trail Guide
Normally, when creating trail reports for longer hikes, we separate the trail into clear sections to make it easier to absorb.
However, despite this trail being five miles, there’s really not a good way to do that – the entire ascent is fairly similar once you get onto the trail.
So we’ll provide all the details in a single comprehensive summary. And, as a reminder, this report covers the outbound and return hike along the Woody Trail to Wallace Falls.
The path starts heading east from the parking area along a wide gravel path, and after around a quarter mile you reach the junction.
You’ll be hiking under some electrical wires that are distressingly loud, and the buzzing will accompany you until you arrive at the junction and plunge into the woods.
Head right here to hop onto the Woody Trail, which you will follow all the way to the end point.
Veering left at the junction leads to the Railroad Grade, accessing the lower falls with a more leisurely incline over an extra mile roughly.
The trail descends, and you`ll find yourself walking along the flowing Wallace River. There are a few nice spots where you can divert from the trail to the riverbank to admire the natural beauty of the rushing water.
If undertaking this hike in winter or spring, the trees flanking the trail will be enveloped in a thick moss that thrives on the abundant moisture in the air.
At times, it seems like you’re wandering through an enchanted forest straight from a Lord of the Rings novel, and we half expected an elf to emerge and welcome us to their lands as we climbed towards the falls.
At 0.8 miles in, you’ll descend down to a charming wooden bridge that crosses a small stream that, in winter, is not particularly small, swelling with all of the rainfall.
From the bridge, the elevation gain became more strenuous. Do you recall our earlier comment about this hike proving more challenging than anticipated? This is where that statement rings true.
The trail alternates between zigzagging sections and a more gradual rise, passing the point where the Wallace River meets the North Fork of the Wallace River – there’s an informative sign around 1.5 miles into the hike that is worth pausing at.
Another quarter mile further and you’ll reach the Lower Wallace Falls, which is the first of four excellent viewpoints along this trail.
Here, you have a view of a less impressive waterfall in the foreground with the towering Middle Falls off in the distance (don’t worry, you’ll be there soon!).
It looks something like this.
There’s a picnic shelter here that makes a nice resting point for some water, snacks, and to shed layers before you embark on more climbing.
I have good news and bad news here.
The negative news is that this is where the climbing really gets steep. For the next half mile of trail, you’ll ascend approximately 400 feet using a series of switchbacks.
The good news is that after the switchbacks, the trail opens to the spectacular Middle Falls Viewpoint, showcasing the finest vista of majestic Wallace Falls (which is actually a trio of cascades along the Wallace River, but most refer to the magnificent Middle Falls).
Most people turn around here, but we’d actually recommend that you continue hiking a bit up the trail to the Valley Viewpoint and Upper Falls.
The Valley Viewpoint was spectacular for us on the grounds that we were above the layer of low fog, which you could see hanging over the valley. You’re taking a gander at out to the southwest over the Skykomish River Valley, with the Olympic Mountains in the background.
