Liberty Lake Loop, Liberty Lake, Washington
Waterfalls, water crossings, and a swimming beach, oh my! That’s not all. There are picnic shelters, camping spots, open fields, established bathrooms, and wildlife. This is an excellent location for a good workout (8 miles and 1,400’eg), an easy saunter to a cedar grove, swimming on a designated beach, or hanging a hammock between playing yard games. There are cabins, RV hookups, and tent sites for camping. Check here for reservations and current day-use fees.
Liberty Lake Loop is in Liberty County Park, Liberty Lake, Washington. It is hike 20 in 100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest: The first portion of the trail offers easy hiking on trail rerouted around beaver activity on Liberty Creek. It’s 2 miles to a large walk-in picnic area in a grove of cedars. (Turn back here for an easy 4-mile round trip.) Cross the creek on the footbridge to the right and start switchbacking up the hillside. The trail narrows. On the last switchback, you will get a glimpse of Liberty Lake. The trail leads out onto the side of a ridge with open views into Idaho and eventually into the woods again. The path soon works its way up to a log bridge (3 miles from the trailhead), that crosses high above a cool, cascading waterfall. After crossing the bridge, the preferred trail contours around the ridge to the left and heads uphill. (An old switchbacking trail goes directly up a ridge.) The two routes meet at a junction at an old cabin site and lead to an old road near the high point of elev. 3,120 feet. Turn right on this road, past the shabby Camp Hughes shelter, for a downhill return toward the campground.
In light of there being many other choices from late spring to the end of autumn, I do not hike here often, but it is still a preferred choice when looking for a snowshoe workout when other trails are inaccessible. Other non-fee local snowshoe staples include Bead Lake and Mill Pond. If you are interested in locations on Mount Spokane or Farragut, ensure you have investigated seasonal permit requirements.
