These trails are officially recognized and signed by the Forest Service, and they vary in difficulty level. Liberty is a small semi-ghost town off Hwy 97 near Blewett Pass. There are a number of "Jeep Trails" in that area. Here are my thoughts on a few of them:
1. Although growing dated, I believe the best resource for these routes, including GPS tracks, maps, and descriptions is found at NWJeepn
2. These are NOT "overlanding" routes, they're fun, technical, and challenging. They're NOT suitable for all 4x4 rigs, or in all weather. If truly wet, they can be dangerous. If the operator isn't experienced, they can be dangerous. If the vehicle has mechanical shortfalls, they can be dangerous. These are aptly termed "jeep trails."
4W334 "Hole in the Rock" at 3.1 miles - what a great trail! It's often a feature of the Northwest Overland Rally, and is a trail I'd take a good, near-stock vehicle over. Good all-terrain tires are important. It's skinny through the trees! Consider folding in your mirrors. Don't even contemplate taking a full-size rig through this trail. Toyota Tacoma is tight, H3 is tight, Jeep JK is tight. A limited slip or locking rear diff helps but isn't essential, especially on vehicles with a good traction control system. Rated as "more difficult" by NWJeepn.
4W326 "Ball Ridge Trail" at only 2.1 miles is one I'd also happily take a good stock rig with good tires over. Four-low is a must! This is a "reasonable" trail with some steep climbs and descents but no crazy climbs or obstacles. Much of it is heavily forested. Rated as "more difficult" by NWJeepn.
4W315 "Nealy Creek Trail" is only 2.3 miles long, and starts out so easy and nice... Then it gets steeper and more challenging. When we ran it, Josh and I had to ease our Jeeps over a very sharp dropoff/ledge. I haven't done the trail in a couple of years and things change. It was challenging, and a tad hair-raising at that one point. Not recommended for low clearance vehicles. Rated as "more difficult" by NWJeepn.
4W324 "Guard Station Trail" is about 3.8 miles but can take over an hour to travel. It starts out close to Hwy 97, and climbs, climbs, and climbs some more. A fuel injected motor and low gears are highly recommended as is a bit of additional ground clearance. This one is STEEP as well as loose, rutted, tight, and challenging. Absolutely not recommended for a full size rig, or for most stock 4x4 vehicles. Rated as "most difficult" by NWJeepn.
This is a short sampling of the many routes available in the Liberty area. There are many more routes available. These trails are not to be feared, but do need to be respected. The "more" challenging routes are plenty for most people. Enough steep and loose terrain to challenge most of us and our vehicles, but fun, and not likely to damage the vehicle, or lead to injury. The "most difficult" routes are beyond the capabilities of most 4x4 vehicles unless somewhat modified with a bit of a suspension lift, larger heavy-duty tires, and set up with traction control, a tight limited-slip rear diff or a rear locker.
The trails are at their best after a modest rain. After a heavy rain they're nearly impassable unless you really like using your winch. As they dry more and more, they get very "sketchy" with the loose dusty surface again becoming a traction problem. Airing down significantly helps. I normally set the 33" tires on my JK at 10 - 15 psi for these routes.
These routes could be done on a day-trip, or an overnight trip, or could be incorporated into a running of the WABDR or other overlanding route.
I'd highly recommend going with someone familiar with the area and the routes rather than blindly tackling them on your own initially.
Regards, Guy
I think there's a spot in Cle Elum, there's Leavenworth Snowmobiles at Coles Corner (reviews are all over the place), or CJ Rentals at Fish Lake (where we rented from). I think Leavenworth has options for half day/full day and singles vs. doubles. CJ is full day only, we rented doubles, not sure if they have singles or just the doubles. None are cheap
My wife and I have been talking about finding someplace to rent snowmobiles for a day and ride, looks so fun!
When in high school up on the Alaska hwy, I drove my sled to school most every day.
That looks like a lot of fun! My dad and I did a snowmobiling trip YEARS back in 2001 over at Stonewater Ranch in Plain. It was a blast!
Pretty much all of the forest service roads in Wenatchee National Forest are closed to wheeled vehicles, tracked vehicles only. The somewhat exception is where a logging company is actively logging and they've plowed access for themselves. Sometimes you can find those roads and they aren't active on weekends, but you better be careful and not get stuck, breakdown or otherwise block their road. they have a lot of equipment to push the obstruction out of the way...
Maybe we should do snowmobile adventuring!
Liberty is really a summer and fall place, not a good place for 4x4's in winter. I've got a lot of time in there, and it's not on my winter list.
Perhaps somewhere lower, maybe the Moses Lake sand dunes? But not Liberty, not now.
Regards, Guy
A lot of the liberty system closes for the winter/turns into sled trails. Check before you go.
You are probably right. But maybe we get lucky! Or I throw the chains on 😎
I am thinking this time of year, most of the trails up in this area will be mostly snowed in. I will do some investigating and get back to you as soon as I find anything.
I've heard about this area from a few folks now, anyone "experienced" wanna take a trip soon? Not sure how the snow is out there...but I'm itching to get out and explore someplace new!
We plan on doing this trail system this sat, Oct 13th. Anyone who wants to join feel freeto chime in.
LOL! :)
Ya, let's watch the fires, fire conditions, and try to come up with a weekend trip for folks who want to put their skills & vehicles to the test of true "jeep trails."
Why not?
Guy, Heres the $64 question,,,,,,,,, any chance someone with your infinite wisdom and experience, can put together a trip into this area when the trails will be "good"?
Winch is only necessary if we get stuck!
Once it's really wet, I am not keen on doing these trails, and a winch would likely be needed then. They're great trails after a light rain though. I've never had to winch at Liberty.
YES, it's very possible to do more than one trail a day. Most of them are only a few miles long. Your Cherokee is an excellent size for these trails. Not too wide, not too long, and not too tall. Yes, a tall rig can be a problem. We're going to have to carefully watch Dan Cronin's giant new Jeep JKU when he goes on these skinny routes. Lots of trees and branches.
Guy
Sounds like a greatday trip. Easy for us to get to, as we can almost see it from our new place here! Let us know when it can be put together. Is it even a possability to do more than one road in a longer day? I still dont have my winch mounted up yet, GRRRRRRR. Too hot to get the torch out and do any cutting and welding. May need to wait till weather cools some. Is a winch a necessity on any of these trails, Guy?
Recently did hole in the rock and W319 in my nearly stock frontier. . . was definitely more than I should've bitten off but some good lines and a little luck we made it all the way up to Crystal Mountain Lookout and finished it.
You're welcome! A couple of years ago a NWOL group started our northern-WABDR journey with the Hole in the Rock trail, then continued north. It was a fun way to start!
Thanks for the RECON and Intel, Major. This is great data and will fold in well with our Member Only Trip Planning Page we are constructing.Good stuff!
Dan
Jason - you could absolutely do Hole in the Rock! And that's just a great entry type trail. Let me know if you want to go! (509)885-5905