As I write this, I'm perched precariously as to avoid sitting on my bruised tailbone that I earned this week. Sean says I'm clumsy, but I like to think of myself as being frequently "in touch" with the earth...yes...the ground and I are good friends. Wouldn't you agree though, that bruised tailbones, soaking wet clothes, and aching muscles are a small price to pay for experiencing the beauty of this great state we call home?
This Sunday, Sean and I decided to have church outdoors and headed out to Wallace Falls State Park. After a little under an hour and a half of driving, we arrived at the park to find it packed full of people, which is annoying for hiking but exciting for our park system! It was the ideal day for hiking; high clouds, cool air, and not a rain drop in sight. I made my customary ISPR (Inspection of State Park Restrooms), and once it was found to be up to my standard of cleanliness, we hit the trail.
(The first part of Woody Trail)
As this was our first hike of the season, my legs greatly appreciated the gentle incline at the beginning of the trail until we had to split to follow the Woody Trail that follows the Wallace River. After the longest .3 of a mile I've never complained about, we found a picnic shelter right along the Lower Falls and took a break. We chatted with two women who were in their seventies and I immediately decided that I couldn't lose face in front of these kick-ass ladies (and I'd better darn still be hiking when I'm seventy!) so we quickly made our way up to the Middle Falls look-out.
(Lower Falls Look-out)
(My handsome hiking parter)
The Middle Falls are spectacular and provide a chance to rest before tackling the switchbacks leading up to the Valley Overlook area. I've decided that I love taking our camera out on hikes because it provides me with as many breaks as I want under the pretense of "artistic inspiration." I can, however, only take so many of those before Sean starts rolling his eyes and asking how this moss-covered rock is any different than the one we saw 300 yards before. What-EVER Sean, you just don't un.der.stand.
(Middle Falls look-out)
After the Middle Falls look-out, there's .75 miles of switchbacks left until the Upper Falls. I tightened my backpack straps, took a deep breath and we started our way up the hill where we very quickly reached the most breathtaking view.
(Sean at the Valley Overlook)
I gave Sean a high-five and commented on how that .75 miles seemed FAR easier than the .3 of a mile we encountered at the beginning of the trail. I had read a review that said that the Upper Falls was nothing spectacular and in thinking that we had made it to the Upper Falls, I decided to never trust another review again.
(Middle Falls over Granite)
(The upper part of the Middle Falls at the Valley Overlook)
We ate our lunch, snapped some photos, and took the time to soak in the tremendous beauty of the valley. As we were leaving, we took another look at the sign and realized that we had been enjoying the Valley Overlook and indeed NOT the Upper Falls. "Ahhhh" I thought, "That's why that was the fastest .75 of a mile ever. LIES."
(Rails at Middle Falls)
(The WTA has done a spectacular job maintaining the trails and keeping them safe!)
After a few choice words on my part, we decided to head another half-mile up the hill to the Upper Falls. In my opinion, the review was true; the overlook wasn't that great, but there were some gorgeous trees up there with lovely moss patterns on them.
We were quite impressed with the condition that this park is in! The Washington Trails Association has done a lot of work here in the past few years and it definitely shows. The trails were clear and well maintained, there were maps throughout the trail and excellent signage at every fork (we just have troubles interpreting the signs...) We plan on heading back there later this summer and discovering the remote backpacking camping sites available on Wallace Lake.
For more information please visit: Complete Information for Wallace Falls State Park (parks.wa.gov)
Happy Adventuring!
-Rachel and Sean
