Liberty Bell Climbing Access Trail #727 — Friday, Sep. 12, 2025

This trail certainly isn’t for everybody. It is very steep, has loose footing, and it is an understatement to say that it is exposed. Despite all of this we had a great hike with great views, some wildlife, and a glorious day outside. 
First a little history, about 25 years ago the Liberty Bell group in the North Cascades was getting trashed through a mess of user made trails from climbers to access a number of climbing objectives. I, along with many others were taking many different routes and it was a mess. Along came the Access Fund who worked with the Forest Service and local climbing groups and an amazing system of trails has replaced the higgledy-piggledy set of non-trails that used to climb up to Early Winters Spire, Liberty Bell and so forth. 
Today is the first time for me to revisit this area in the intervening two plus decades. What a treat and trip down memory lane it was. 
The trail is expertly crafted using an immense number of local granite blocks. Erosion in the area has been greatly reduced. We did manage to get turned around once or twice onto exposed rocky spots so I wouldn’t recommend this for casual hikers. 
We spent a few hours up high lying on granite slabs watching climbers ascend various towers. Intermittently eating lunch and reading a book. Fabulous spot with great views.