Lake Elizabeth

Lake Elizabeth sits at 2,890 feet in the Money Creek drainage between Baring and Skykomish. The lake itself is small, quiet, and ringed by forest with a handful of established campsites along the shore. On a calm day the reflections are worth the trouble it takes to get there.

And there is trouble. The access road up Money Creek is rough, potholed, and sometimes impassable without high clearance. The trail has not seen regular maintenance in over a decade. Expect blowdowns across the path, brushy sections, a boggy stretch near the lake, and at least one bridge that trip reports consistently describe as rotten and slippery. The loop around the lake is short but requires attention. Going counterclockwise puts the diciest creek crossing first, while clockwise saves it for the return.

This is not a trail for folks expecting groomed paths and clear signage. It is for people who like poking around off the beaten track and do not mind scrambling over logs. The lake stays snow-free by mid-June most years, but road access can remain blocked into early summer. No pass required at the trailhead.