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Liberty Lake Regional Park

Located in Liberty Lake County Park this 8 mile loop hike is an excellent choice on a hot summer day. Views are infrequent, but shade is plentiful. High points include one of the last stands of old growth cedar in Spokane County and a year round waterfall which is very impressive during spring run off. Washington Trails Association has done major work here including a re-route necessitated by some industrious beavers.

This hike is best completed in a clockwise direction. Follow the valley floor for two miles and cross Liberty Creek twice on foot bridges before reaching the cedar grove. It is always cool and damp here. This then begins a serious switchbacking climb to the one major viewpoint of Liberty Lake and Mount Spokane to the north. The trail then levels out, eventually reaching the waterfall in one mile from the cedar grove. This is a great place to stop, have a snack and enjoy the picturesque cascading water.

At this point, the trail starts another serious climb on a trail that desperately needs repair and more switchbacks. A half mile from the waterfall you cross the creek one last time and in 0.1 miles reach an old outhouse and shelter which was built by the Boy Scouts. This is the highest point of the hike. No views, however. The descent is on an old road. Gradual at first, and then quite steep at the end. The trail then levels out in the valley floor and makes a sharp turn to the right. You are now on the lovely re-route recently built by the WTA to avoid an ever-growing beaver pond. Cross Liberty Creek on a log bridge to rejoin the valley trail about 0.5 miles from the trailhead.
Driving Directions:

Take the Liberty Lake exit off of I-90. Go East on Appleway Avenue 0.8 miles and turn right (South) on Molter. Go 1 mile and turn left on Valleyway. Valleyway becomes Lakeside Road when it bends to the right around the East end of Liberty Lake Golf Course. Turn right off Lakeside Road at the park sign. It is 2.3 miles from here to the entrance of Liberty Lake County Park.

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Recent Trip Reports

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There are 9 trip reports for this hike. See all trip reports for this hike.
Liberty Lake Regional Park — Apr 29, 2013 — Blackrock
Day hike
Features: Wildflowers blooming
Issues: Mudholes
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Trail was in good shape, a few muddy sections, no blow downs, lots of water coming over the falls......
Trail was in good shape, a few muddy sections, no blow downs, lots of water coming over the falls...I did get passed a male person on a motorcycle on the trails, didnt think that was allowed..The cabin at the top was in good shape and took a break there. Lots of flowers, few bugs.
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Liberty Lake Regional Park — Mar 15, 2013 — mbretz23
Day hike
Issues: Blowdowns | Snow on trail
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I accomplished all my work for Friday by lunch time and hit the trail. I expected to see some snow ...
I accomplished all my work for Friday by lunch time and hit the trail. I expected to see some snow at higher elevations but was a little surprised by how much. Over a foot of snow in some places. Its very packed for 90% of the trail. Only a couple spots did I sink in. Some down trees on back side of loop, but it looks like WTA is going to have a work day next Sat.

Awesome views, waterfalls, creek is a good water source now, will be interested to see if water flows that well in early summer. With the backcountry campground, this makes for an awesome short Backpacking trip, to test new equipment or new setups.
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Liberty Lake Regional Park — Nov 16, 2012 — Blackrock
Day hike
Issues: Snow on trail
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Weather was pretty good mid 40s, no rain, was some snow on ground, trail was in pretty good shape. D...
Weather was pretty good mid 40s, no rain, was some snow on ground, trail was in pretty good shape. Directions were easy to follow off this site, parking was plentiful and city employees live right by the parking area. Saw a Beaver and 3 deer, alot of crows an meet only 2 people..
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Liberty Lake Regional Park — Oct 19, 2012 — Washington Trails Association
Day hike
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Liberty Lake loop will be closed from Monday (Oct. 22) through Friday (Oct. 26) will be closed for t...
Liberty Lake loop will be closed from Monday (Oct. 22) through Friday (Oct. 26) will be closed for trail renovation that includes blasting (to remove rock in an area and widen/level the trail.)

For updates, contact Spokane County Parks & Recreation (509) 477-4730.
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Liberty Lake Regional Park — Sep 08, 2012 — imazag
Day hike
Features: Wildflowers blooming | Fall foliage | Ripe berries
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What a beautiful hike. We walked to the waterfalls and back, which from the parking lot on the north...
What a beautiful hike. We walked to the waterfalls and back, which from the parking lot on the northside of the campground, is a 6.8 round trip hike.

We are not experienced hikers at all - all were wearing appropriate clothing but would probably choose more sturdy shoes next time, as we were all in running-type shoes, which was fine going up, but harder going down, as the incline is pretty steep in places. Ages of hikers, 48 (me), three 20 year olds (my daughter, her boyfriend and their friend), and my two sons who are 15½ and almost 13. The boys are fit athletes and no part of the hike was really a big deal to them :) The rest of us... the only part that was difficult was a middle section of switchbacks which was sandwiched in quite a long section of switchbacks, most of which were moderate and very doable - just a section in the middle that was tough for us rookies :) Next time (hopefully this weekend), knowing what is coming, as I began the moderate switchbacks after leaving the cedar grove area, I would pace myself better. We were just excited to be there, loved being together and enjoying the beauty, but we should have not tried to keep the original pace entering into that section. Overall, the hike was worth every bit of work :) The waterfalls were running, very peaceful. We plan to go the entire loop in the future, going beyond the waterfalls and down the other side. We did the hike from trailhead to waterfalls and back, stopping on the switchbacks to rest several times, ate lunch at the falls, in exactly 3 hours. Add in the walk to/from car and driving from the south hill to the trail, about 4 hours total. Very well worth it!
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Liberty_Lake_View.JPG
View of Liberty Lake from trail. Paul Knowles.
WTA worked here!
2010, 2011, 2012
Location
Eastern Washington -- Spokane Area
Spokane County Parks and Recreation
Statistics
Roundtrip 8.0 miles
Elevation Gain 1200 ft
Highest Point 3120 ft
Features
Waterfalls
Old growth
Fall foliage
Mountain views
Wildlife
User info
Good for kids
Dogs allowed on leash
May encounter pack animals
May encounter mountains bikes
No pass or permit required
Guidebooks & Maps
100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest by Rich Landers
USGS Liberty Lake & Mica Peak

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Red MarkerLiberty Lake Regional Park
47.6105141 -117.0409301
  • Trail Work 2012
  • Trail Work 2011
  • Trail Work 2010
(47.6105, -117.0409) Open in new window
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