Wallace Falls – 08/14/20
Back in August I was finally ready to start hiking with A again, not only physically as she was now 6 months old and I had also been walking around our neighbourhood but also confident that we were safe to walk despite Covid-19 still being around.
I knew that this hike was popular, but I also knew that it was relatively flat and child friendly up to the lower falls. There are 3 viewpoints along this trail: lower; middle and upper falls. I really wanted a successful first hike, and this one was guaranteed to give me it. I knew that I could make it to the lower falls and if I felt great we could carry on to the middle falls or if not we could stop. We also opted for a Friday so that it would be less busy due to people being at work and families doing online-school (in our area the schools have not opened and families have been provided online lessons with their teachers).
Wooded pathway with trees lining either side 
View through trees of a small creek with running water over rock
The day had a lower temperature of 45F and an upper one of 78F. We started hiking at 9am so a little colder to begin with however I soon began to warm up due to A in one of our woven wraps from Didymos and Little Zen One. There are two options on this trail as part of it can be duel use with bikes, we swung a right through a wooden fence to remain on the walkers section.
The path at Wallace Falls is really well maintained and can be accessed year round. There are a number of view points along the way and many photo opportunities which suit me perfectly as I cannot take enought photos of A!
A remained awake for the intial part of this hike, we know that when carried she will often fall asleep. It was therefore only a matter of time before she did! She was looking around at all the trees, enjoying the fresh air and starting to babble and humm as we walked. We saw the lower section of the falls where the water level was low and running through smaller and larger rocks. The water here, like the most of the PNW (Pacific Northwest) is very clear. You will often see dogs having a drink during their hikes and on some trails the odd human here and there dunking their heads!
The trees are a lushous green with some yellows and orange colours dotted in here and there. As I mentioned above this trail is maintained, that includes man-made bridges and walk ways as well as fences alongside the more rugged edges of the trails. The sun was beautiful today and it wasn’t too long before the micture of mine and A’s body heat became a little too warm. It has definitely been challenging to find clothing which works for nursing as well as moisture wicking – there really needs to be more accesible sports/outdoor nursing wear! Even finding pregnancy clothing for the outdoors was a challenge, especially pants/trousers!
Once we reached the lower falls I had almost reached my limit with hiking for the day. I knew I could easily make it back to the trail head and therefore knew that we should stop, rest and turn back. Postpatum healing varies between women depending on how pregnancy and birth goes. Walking is a great exercise to do, but it is not recommended to over do things…I listened to my body and it needed a break from carrying A and also walking up hill. I believe that one of the most challenging parts of hiking with a baby and then toddler and then child will be accepting that reaching the end of the trail is not always going to happen! At the lower falls rest stop there are a number of tables – thankfully still open despite Covid – and a little circular walk down to see the falls more closely. We rested, ate some food, nursed and did a little bit of wildlife spotting before heading back down.
I just love the above photo, A looks very comfortable and I just love all the sleeping snuggles I get to have with her. On our way down we switched so hubster carried A in the Ergo Carrier – which I just don’t get on with! I find it very uncomfortable – whilst I carried our hiking bag with our “10 Essentials” and diapers.
I really enjoy an out and back trail because you see things from a different angle and it all looks new and fresh. Loops are also great but I wonder what I missed on the way through. A slept again on the way back down on her Daddy’s chest so once we reached the trail head we let A have a great wiggle and stretch on the grass before getting in the car and heading home.
Dark trees seen from the trail in the shade 
Man carrying baby in Ergobaby front carry 
Small creek seen through dense trees 
Small waterfalls seen from afar off the trail surrounded by tall trees on both left and right sides
Wallace Falls information can be found here on the WTA (Washington Trails Association) website. It is about 40 minutes drive from our town so it is a really nice hike which we will do repeatedly!
Hiking doesn’t always require specific clothing and much can be brought second hand especially for babies and children – unfortunately we are unable to go around second hand stores. At almost 6 months A is almost able to wear sunscreen, but in the meantime she wears a SPF hat (not shown in photos) which came from Amazon. She also wears merino wool base layer which as it was a warm day and she was being held close to our bodies it was the only thing along with socks that she wore. She is wearing Ikslpor for this hike, I discovered them on kickstarter and have already purchased another whole set and whilst writing this post (in november!) I’m about to place another order for the next size up in January.
The Gordon's Miscellany 