Maplewood Heights Park

Starting out at SE 144th St and 168th Ave SE, the first leg of this unmarked trail runs parallel to a private driveway but provides a narrow forested oasis. The trail heads straight north for a quarter mile and turns left (just before reaching the Liberty High School tennis courts), then descends steeply (but briefly) to a creek. If the creek is running too high to cross, take the path to the right, where there is a dry earth bridge over the creek culvert. Climb up a short ways to a three-way intersection. To do the loop, head right and stay to the right (there are some short access trails and a few boot trails branching off from the main loop) until you complete the loop and come back to this intersection. The first part of the loop abuts the athletic fields of Liberty.  

The forest features mature maples, alders, Douglas-firs, and an occasional western red cedar. There are also abundant Indian plum, snowberry, red huckleberry, sword and bracken ferns. It’s a colorful show in the fall.

There are at least five access points to this short trail, none of which are signed: the one described in the driving directions, three entrances along 164th Ave SE between SE 139th Pl and SE 142nd St, and one entrance (but no parking) just west of the intersection of 169th Ave SE and SE 140th St.