WALLACE FALLS & LAKE
A long loop that goes by beautiful waterfalls and a pleasant lake. This loop is a nice early season hike, but be warned that the hike to the falls is extremely popular, and the mountain views are few and far between. I did this as a trail run and had a good time, but I would probably have been a little bored hiking it.
Quick Facts:
Distance: 12.6 miles roundtrip (but many shorter variations possible)
Elevation Gain: 2000 feet
Location: Wallace Falls Trailhead, Wallace Falls State Park, near Gold Bar
Season: Late Spring-Early Winter
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Parking Pass: Discover Pass
Check the weather: mountain-forecast, weather.gov
Check for recent trip reports: WTA, AllTrails
Notes: This route uses forest roads on DNR land which are sometimes used for logging activity – be sure to look for notices of road closures at the trailhead and remain alert while you are hiking on the forest roads.
You can make this route shorter by only hiking to the falls or not hiking to Jay Lake.
Getting there:
Click here for the TH location on Google Maps
The directions linked above are accurate, and because the road is paved the entire way any car should be able to make it. Do note that traffic heading West on Highway 2 can get epically bad on Sunday evenings, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
View from the forest road between Wallace Falls and Wallace Lake, March 2021
Partially frozen Jay Lake, March 2021
Hike description:
Begin this loop by hiking on the Woody Trail, the main trail that leaves from the Wallace Falls State Park trailhead. You’ll pass under some power lines, which only slightly hinder the great views of Mount Index to the east (these are unfortunately some of the only mountain views of the day). In about a third of a mile you’ll reach a fork in the trail, and will take the right trail that is signed for Wallace Falls. The trail will soon gain an incline that steepens as you go on – power through with the knowledge that this essentially the only uphill for your entire hike. You’ll also be rewarded with great views of the Wallace River for nearly the entire hike, and incredible views of Lower, Middle, and Upper Wallace Falls at 1.6, 2.1, and 2.4 miles respectively. There are viewing areas at each of them to really take in the views, but be sure to stay behind the barriers.
At the upper falls you’ll notice a sign warning hikers to only proceed if they have sufficient navigation abilities. Be sure to heed this, and if you are sufficiently prepared continue on to an unmaintained trail. The trail can be somewhat hard to make out here, as it wanders through somewhat open forest. You’ll continue for only one-tenth of a mile uphill before popping out onto a forest road, where you’ll head left. As you hike along this flat forest road you’ll see a sign informing you that you’re leaving the State Park, and soon some great views will open to your left looking out on the Highway 2 corridor and even out to the Olympics on a clear day.
Wallace Lake, March 2021
View from the forest road, March 2o21
Continue along this forest road, using your map and signage to stay on the route to Wallace Lake. There’s not much to see here, but you’ll likely find a lot more solitude than on the trail to the waterfalls earlier. At around 4.7 miles you’ll re-enter the State Park, and soon after will encounter a sign pointing to backcountry campsites. Stay to the right here, soon crossing a bridge that crosses over the North Fork Wallace River where it leaves Wallace Lake, giving you a nice view up the lake.
If you’re visiting Jay lake, turn right at the next intersection to hike 1.5 miles north and very slightly uphill to the small peaceful lake. If you’re short on time or energy, you can instead start your hike back to the trailhead by taking a left onto the Greg Ball trail. You’ll hike slightly downhill until you encounter another forest road. Take a right to keep heading downhill for about one-tenth of a mile where you will pick up the Greg Ball trail on the left side of the road at a well signed intersection.
You’ll continue hiking downhill, more steeply now, through a beautiful, lush forest. After 2 miles the trail will flatten out and turn into the Railroad Grade Trail. Hike this gently sloping downhill trail for 2 miles until you once again encounter the Woody trail, taking a right to continue back to the trailhead.