Wallace Falls Middle Falls Overlook — Attraction in Monroe

Middle Falls Overlook: Detailed Description

Location The Middle Falls overlook is located approximately 2.75 miles from the trailhead along the Wallace Falls Trail. It is one of the most popular and scenic viewpoints on the hike.

Flora and Fauna Flora: The overlook is surrounded by a dense forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western red cedar. The area is lush with various understory plants such as ferns, salal, and huckleberries. Moss and lichen are abundant, covering rocks and tree trunks, adding to the area's rich, green landscape. Fauna: The overlook area is frequented by various bird species, including Steller's jays, woodpeckers, and chickadees. You might also spot squirrels and chipmunks darting through the trees. Occasionally, you may hear the calls of ravens or spot raptors soaring above the valley.

Features and Scenery Waterfall View: The Middle Falls overlook offers a dramatic and expansive view of the Middle Falls, which is the most powerful and spectacular section of Wallace Falls. The waterfall plunges approximately 260 feet in multiple tiers, creating a mesmerizing display of cascading water. Panoramic Views: Beyond the waterfall, the overlook provides panoramic views of the Skykomish River Valley and the surrounding Cascade Mountains. On clear days, you can see far into the distance, making it an excellent spot for photography. Benches and Railings: The overlook area is equipped with benches and railings for safety. The benches offer a comfortable spot to rest and take in the breathtaking views.

Seasonal Variations Spring: The waterfall is at its most powerful, fed by melting snow and spring rains. The surrounding forest is vibrant with new growth and blooming wildflowers. The trail can be muddy, so waterproof footwear is recommended. Summer: The overlook provides a cool respite on hot days, with the shade of the forest and the mist from the waterfall offering relief. The trail is usually dry and well-traveled. Fall: The foliage around the overlook turns brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating a stunning contrast with the evergreen trees and the waterfall. Cooler temperatures make for a pleasant hike. Winter: Snow and ice may cover the trail and the overlook area, adding a serene, quiet beauty to the scene. The waterfall flows more gently, but the snow-covered landscape is picturesque. Caution is advised due to slippery conditions.

Tips for Visiting Timing: Early morning or late afternoon visits offer the best lighting for photography and fewer crowds. The middle of the day can be busy, especially on weekends. Safety: The trail can be steep and slippery, particularly near the overlook. Wear sturdy footwear with good traction, and use the railings for support. Preparation: Bring plenty of water, snacks, and a camera. Dress in layers to adjust to changing temperatures, especially if hiking in...

I’ll talk about the entire Wallace Falls Trail here. This is an amazing 10-km (6 miles; was for me), moderate-difficulty trail, which took me around 4.5 hours to finish. I took some rest-breaks on the way, spent some time at the lower, middle, and upper falls, and played at the river. The trail is very beautiful and amidst countless 100-foot trees that make the entire hike experience an unforgettable one. The parking lot (Discover Pass required) at the trailhead is always full; however, luckily, I was able to find parking right at the trailhead. Many hikers had to park their cars around half a mile away, and this was a trek in itself. :) I went right up to the Upper Falls and saw all three falls. The most beautiful falls is the middle one; the lower one is okay (given that, at that point, you don’t know what to expect of the others), and the upper one is a letdown. The Middle Falls provides a spectacular view of the homogeneous body of water coming down - do the hike for the Middle Falls. Most people return from here, without doing the Upper Falls; and that’s totally fine - you won’t miss much if you skip the Upper Falls. The hike up to the Middle Falls is not easy, though some might claim it is. The hike from the Middle Falls to the Upper Falls is more difficult (but not significantly more difficult) than that up to the Middle Falls, where most people are just too tired to do the Upper Falls. Given the Independence Day, the trail wasn’t too busy but still had a good number of hikers, including senior citizens and families with small kids; many had their dogs with them. The accessible river section towards the trailhead is a great spot for families and pets to play at. Preferably, do this trail/hike on a cooler day (when it’s 18-20 C, i.e., 66-70 F). All-in-all, a wonderful and well-marked trail/hike very near to the Greater Seattle Area, and a great way to spend your entire day - highly...

Slow Tuesday on the trail at Wallace Falls. We started our day at 8:15 and it was a bit cloudy but not too cold. About a mile in is your first turn off, we chose to go right and do the loop starting with Wallace Falls. The hike to the falls is pretty straight forward. The trail can get a little steep at times and rocky but not too crazy. You start to hit snow shortly before the top of the falls.  To the top of the falls was 3 miles and then we kept hiking to Wallace Lake after. Shortly after the top of the falls you get onto a road which you take for 2.5 miles until Wallace Lake, almost all of the 2.5 miles are flat. Wallace Lake was okay but nothing too spectacular. Overall very nice day for a hike. Round trip 10.6 miles and 2100 feet...