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Wallace Falls is a series of three significant cascades and waterfalls. The first one is short but somewhat wide cascade while the 2nd (middle) one is probably the main drop, and the last (upper) one is also impressive and worth the extra effort to reach.Given the length of this over 5-mile hike and the fact that it was quite rainy and damp during our visit, I did this hike solo. I recalled near the start of the hike, I started off by going under some high voltage power lines and the unnerving buzzing sounds you can hear as you pass under them. The trail then went through a long series of lush rainforest terrain as the trail seemed to consistently climb throughout. The trail splits after a mile or so, but I always stayed on the path closest to the creek. And after around 1.5 miles or so, there's an unsigned spur path that takes you right besides the rushing creek where I believe this constituted the Lower Wallace Falls (i.e. the first one of the lot). As the trail continued climbing, it rejoins the other side of the split trail somewhere around 2 miles from the trailhead. And just as the trail is about to switchback as it starts another moderate ascent, there's a lookout area to take in the Middle Wallace Falls (the second one of the lot).
This particular waterfall drops an impressive 260ft, which is said to be one of the taller plunging waterfalls in the state. The vista that I got seemed to be only at an angle and there's some obstruction of the view due to the cliff coming down from the left side of the line of sight. I think in order to improve the viewing angle, you have to go off-trail and scramble into the damp vegetation, which is something I didn't do nor do I recommend. I was merely content to take the photo you see at the top of this page. The trail climbs for the next 1/2-mile before it finally ends at the two-tiered Upper Wallace Falls. I believe the combined drop of these falls is about 80-100ft. Apparently, from up at this vantage point, you should also be able to see Skykomish Valley, but given the wet and foul weather I had experienced, there wasn't a whole lot to see on my visit.
Directions: The Wallace Falls State Park is near Gold Bar. We came up here from Snoqualmie Falls so we took the Route 202 north then junctioned with Route 203 taking it further north until it junctioned with Hwy 2. We then followed Hwy 2 east into the town of Gold Bar before we started noticing signs leading to the state park. I don't remember the exact turns that I made so unfortunately, I'm afraid I can't give the exact directions.
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Map sign at the trailhead
Better be honest with yourself about whether you can make it back before dark
Fork in the trail
The trail bridges over a creek
The Lower Falls
The Lower Wallace Falls sign
The Middle Falls
The Upper Falls sign
The Upper Falls
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