For all the gripes about social media, it was helpful this time! I saw the State Parks' Instagram post about new bear lockers at Wallace Lake (thank you, WA Conservation Corps!) and added it to my list of potential backpacking sites with my 9-year-old.
When I looked at trip reports, many other options still had snow (or a recent cougar sighting - Goat Lake!). I called the ranger to book our permit and they told me about all the other amenities Wallace has and I was sold. This is bougie backpacking, making it perfect for kids/beginners.
Route: Greg Ball Trail up (tracked 4.8 mi to the campsite), Day 2 day hiked to Jay Lake (2 mi ea way), returned via Upper Grade/Woody Trail so we could see the falls.
There are berries galore along the trail - thimble & blackberries near the trailhead, red huckleberries further up and salmonberries + blueberries closer to the lake.
The trail to Jay Lake must have been pretty overgrown because the rangers did some maintenance on Monday and there was a lot of debris. Thank you!
Crowds: Absolutely none on Monday. We departed the TH ~8 am and saw MAYBE 5 people the whole day. Other than 1 early morning hiker, we saw no one else all day on Tuesday around the lakes. Very few people at Upper Falls on Wednesday, but lots of cheerful families and groups out on the trail from Middle Falls back to the TH. When we got back to our car around 12 pm on Wednesday the parking lot was almost full.
Site: Wallace Lake only has 1 site (call for a permit) and it has a sandy tent pad, picnic table and fire ring. It was shaded most of the day and kept us cool on warm days. There's a creek just past the campsite that was running well and was easy to filter water from. The privy was almost full and plagued by flies later in the day. The bear locker is further from the campsite (pro/con) than at Jay Lake.
Jay Lake notes: 3 sites with less space share a picnic table and fire ring + a composting toilet (much better smelling than the one at Wallace Lake) and bear locker that's closer to the tent pads. Would be a fun spot for a group.
Lake access: The ranger told us about the pebble-y beach on the Wallace Lake shore opposite from the campsite (~1 mi ea way). It was a great spot to relax and watch the little fish. I especially appreciated it after seeing the muddier lake access near the campsite and near Jay Lake.
Other: We heard logging noise pretty persistently throughout the day on Tuesday, but not until ~ 9 am and it died down by the afternoon. The ranger pointed out that the logging roads are another reason this backpacking site is a good option for families - they provide easier access if there's a medical emergency!
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