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Ride Summary:
2-3 hours of climbing pays off with nice view and a very fast ride back
Trail Description:
Wallace Falls is a long steady and fairly technical climb in deep woods which comes out on fire road, and then climb some more to Wallace Lake(7 mi). Follow sign to wallace falls on sigle track (9 mi). Some trails in the area are closed to bikes, but this is still a worthy ride. The reward is the trip back down. The fire roads are fast and furious while the singletrack is fast, fun and challenging. Look out for hikers.
How to get there:
From I-90 ake highway 2 East to Gold Bar, left at 1st steet follow sign to Wallace Falls State Park.
| Posted by: Martay! on 11/22/2006 |
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This can be fun, lots of double track climbing up then a short double track through the woods to the lake. I met a ranger up at the lake, he said the far side of the lake is best for skinny dipping, it has a great sand beach. The ride from the lake to Wallace Falls is fast and open, the falls are very scenic. Be carefull lots of hikers on the lower trail(s), not much singletrack.
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| Posted by: JLE on 7/25/2004 |
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The first section of this trail I'd call a pretty decent beginners trail with a solid climb (except for the very first section, this is mostly on gravel roads). Once up it turns into a good piece of pretty flat and soft "multi-track", with some gravel road parts.
However, if you are a good biker this trails really is only worth doing if you cross the stream (yes, it's cold but you warm up real fast on the other side). On the other side there is a good piece of single track that then gradually turns into 4-wheeling "road". This is really the problem with this, otherwise fun, side of the trail - 4-wheelers and motocross bikes have really ruined much of it. Especially the bikes are a problem as they are able to climb further up into the narrower parts of the trail, exposing roots and ripping up rocks.
My advice is if you really want to rip it up on in the dh, ride a bike with a sturdy frame (or full susp) and long travel fork. You'll have more fun on the mid-to-low part
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| Posted by: RBA on 12/29/2003 |
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who ever said there is 70% single track is really lost. ther is one 100 yard chunk of single track. all the rest is dirt roads. like some people said " the ( road ) from the lake to the falls has been destroid " not worth doing. i rate this trail a -3 .... not only is it a waist of time but it is a waist of gas driving out there, waist of wair and tear on my bike and i want my money back
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| Posted by: KneedownGSXRBoy on 8/27/2003 |
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I was deciding between a 3 and a 4...probably should be a 3.5, but I went lower. After getting there and encountering some fun moderately challenging single track climb (dodging the masses of hikers), we finally arrived at the lake Wallace. I had a bike trail book that told us to head right over the bridge and continue upwards towards the actual Wallace Falls--then to head a bit upstream and do a river cross. BIG MISTAKE. The river water was pretty deep everywhere (at least waist high) and FAREEEZZING!! We went ~July. After midstream, we finally gave up and turned around. Supposedly when you cross over, there's gnarly singletrack on the other side, but the water was so cold and high up we chickened out. Perhaps when I'm braver...
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| Posted by: @lex on 6/3/2003 |
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the ride may not be as technical as others, there may not be as much singletrack as one would like, but the ride down from the lake (either towards the waterfalls or towards the trailhead) is simply a blast. on some sections, we reached 30mph w/out ever feeling like it was unsafe for us or for someone else on the trail. it still puts a grin on my face :-)
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| Posted by: A. Thorp on 7/5/2002 |
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A ton of fun!! Yes, the fire road does get a little boring and there is no shade except for the first couple of miles... Despite this, the ride back is a blast and Lake Wallace is an absolutely beautiful treat after the ride...clear and calm. Despite popularity of hiking trail, the Lake Trail was empty. I only met three other riders during the entire trip. Next time I plan to go all the way up to the lake. Excellent trail!!
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| Posted by: jim wolfe on 10/21/2001 |
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I,m sorry,but this trail is lame for mountain bikers.It is a good trail for hikers though.All it is is forest service roads and very little singletrack.The falls are nice,but the singletrack is closed to mountain bikers.Hike the trail,but don't waste your time on your bike.
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| Posted by: #1cndlerdr on 6/24/2001 |
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made it through the waterfalls with my 12 YO, it was a blast! Watch out for the turns when you reach a portion of the logging on the higher elevation (1000'?) the road had been dozed and spread some big chunks of rocks =driveway rocks for the logging trucks! The waterfall was awesome for catching your breath after a long climb.
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| Posted by: Jordan Ottow on 5/16/2001 |
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Great workout going up and a blast to come down. Be carful coming down because the switch backs can be dangerous. Watchout for hikers!
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| Posted by: Daron on 11/16/2000 |
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The fire road is boring and log. Try not to plan to go on the fire road on a hot day, because there is no tree cover for shade.
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