Hike of the Week: Wallace Lake
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| Placid Wallace Lake at Pebble Beach |
Wallace Lake
Quiet waters above busy falls
by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
April 18, 2008
Quick Facts
Location: Skykomish River Valley
Land Agency: Washington State Parks
Roundtrip: 8.2 miles
Elevation gain: 1,500 feet
Green Trails Map: Index, WA-No. 142
Contact: Wallace Falls State Park (360) 793-0420 or http://www.parks.wa.gov/
Notes: Dogs must be leashed
Access: From Everett follow US 2 for 28 miles east to the hamlet of Gold Bar. Just before Milepost 28 turn left onto 1st Street (signed for Wallace Falls State Park). Proceed for .4 mile to a four way stop. Turn right onto May Creek Road and continue for 1.5 miles to Wallace Falls State Park and trailhead.
Not quite backcountry, not quite alpine, but a wonderful hiking destination never-the-less; Wallace Lake is the best kept secret in 4,735-acre Wallace Falls State Park. Once reached by a long and unappealing logging road, the lake is now enjoyably attained by the Greg Ball Trail; a path honoring one of the greatest trail advocates this state has ever had.
Start on the main and busy trail to the ever popular Wallace Falls coming soon to a junction. Left follows the Old Rail Grade Trail 2.2 miles before terminating at the Greg Ball Trail. Right heads 1.1 miles along the Wallace River before coming to a junction leading .2 mile to the Greg Ball Trail. Take the short way, returning the longer way if you care for variation.
Greg was a former board member and director of the Washington Trails Association (WTA). In 1993 he launched WTA’s volunteer trail maintenance program which has since grown into the largest state-based program of its kind. In 2004 at the age of 60, tragically, Greg passed away after battling cancer. He had designed this trail to Wallace Lake and it was finished in his memory by volunteers from WTA and through support from the Spring Trail Trust.
Paralleling along and above the North Fork of the Wallace River, the trail gracefully meanders through mature second growth, climbing gently, all on nice tread. After a half mile the way steepens and the forest grows darker. But an agreeable grade and forest soon returns. At about 3.0 miles from trailhead the river can be seen cascading down a narrow chasm. About a half mile farther the trail terminates at a DNR Road. Turn right on the road for a short 0.1 mile to a junction with an old road taking off left. Follow this near level forested way for .5 mile to the southern tip of Wallace Lake. A pretty spot in heavy timber with picnic tables and an attractive bridge, the northern end of the lake at Pebble Beach is much better.
Head left following an old woods road for .5 mile to arrive at the beach, a gravel outwash at the base of a small talus slope. Find yourself a nice sun warmed log and enjoy the view across the placid lake to what’s colloquially referred to as Zeke’s Hill and Mount Index peeking in the distance.
For information on lodging and other attractions near Wallace Lake visit
Click here for link to Snohomish County
