4/7 Wallace Falls
I took a class called “Hiking by Bus” through experimental college in order to better explore the great wonders of nature the pacific northwest has to offer. It also ties in well with this class, as I am able to see many different regions and plants. The first of these hikes was to Wallace Falls, found west of the Cascades near the town Gold Bar. The following are the directions for getting there by bus, as provided by the instructor of the class:
“Depart 9:05 AM from bus stop at I-5 and 45th St on Sound Transit 510 to
Everett Station (arrive at 9:36 AM). Depart 10:05 AM on Community Transit 275 to Hwy 2 and
Lewis St (arrive 10:39 AM). Depart 10:55 AM on Community Transit 270 to Hwy 2 and 1 st St
(arrive 11:16 AM). Walk about 30 minutes to Wallace Falls State Park and hike 6 mile round-
trip to good viewpoint above falls. Depart on Community Transit 270 at 3:57 PM to Community Transit 275 to Hwy 2 and Lewis St (arrive 4:24 PM).
Depart 5:07 PM to Everett Station (arrive 5:45 PM) then on Sound Transit 510 at 5:58 PM
back to I-5 and 45th (arrive 6:33 PM).”
It was a beautiful day, with only a few clouds in a sky and a temperature between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The group that I hiked with were all experienced with hiking, so we seemed to move pretty fast, giving me little time for in-depth observation. There was little elevation gain, around 1000ft, and it was all quite gradual. There was a large variety of trees and many ferns along the trail (see species list) but few flowers. There were many people walking their dogs, which might account for the lack of wild animals near by. I would like to go back here to take my time and also just to spend more time on such a beautiful trail.
Species list:
Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)
Western Red cedar (Thuja plicata)
Big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum)
Red alder (Alnus rubra)
Himalayan black berry (Rubus armeniacus )
clover
Licorice fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza )
lady fern (Athyrium)
goose neck moss (Genus Rhytidiadelphus)
pig weed
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