Wallace Falls

Winter hiking in the Pacific Northwest can certainly be a challenge, but Wallace Falls stays mostly free from snow year-round and is an opportunity to see beautiful wilderness for those who brave the winter conditions.  In fact, the rainier the weather, the more dramatic the crashing water of the falls.  The Wallace Falls hike is popular thanks to its lush conifer and hardwood forest and scenic, rushing river, but winter offers hikers an opportunity to take it in with fewer people on the trail.

This 5.5 mile roundtrip hike gains 1200 feet elevation and is appropriate for hikers of all levels, including kids and leashed dogs. 

The first quarter mile leads you down power line right-of-way before the trail enters the forest and hikers begin to hear the distant roar of the falls.  At .4 mile hikers may decide to head left to an old logging road (great for trail running and mountain biking and adds roughly one mile to the loop) or right on the Woody Trail which drops down and follows the edge of the river.  When the trail leads away from the river it also begins to gain elevation.  At just past one mile, continue straight past a side trail that branches to the left.  At 1.4 miles you will come to another junction where turning left will be your return via the Railroad Grade Trail or continue on to Wallace Lake on the Greg Ball Trail. 

Continue straight, cross the North Fork Wallace River and then begin the climb to the Lower Falls area, which offers a viewpoint as well as a covered area for picnics.  Continuing up the trail will lead you to the Middle Falls viewpoint at 2.2 miles – these may be the most impressive of the three so get out your camera and cross your fingers for not too much cloud cover.  If you’re up for climbing another half mile and 500 feet, you will reach the Upper Falls and the trail will give you a great view of the Olympic Mountains and the Skykomish River Valley.

A recent hiker report asserts that the trail is in great shape, even on a rainy day, but be sure to check winter weather conditions and carry your ten essentials: whistle, map, compass, sunscreen, flashlight and extra batteries, fire starter, first aid kit, pocket knife, waterproof matches, and extra food and clothing. It’s also good to leave a copy of your travel plans with a responsible person. Find weather and avalanche info here.

Photo credit: Heptazane