There are approximately 76 fresh water lakes within driving range of Spokane. We are really spoilt for choice in deciding where to go for a day hike and swim. Phil was recommended a lake 20 minutes outside of Newport called Bead Lake so we jumped in the car and made the 90 minute drive there. Upon arrival it took us a while to figure out where the car park actually was - signs are not a strong point of the American nation unless it is advertising something - and 30 minutes later we had parked and prepared to hit the trail.
We met a park ranger in the car park (who had a large rifle packed in his truck) who advised us about the local wildlife - make lots of noise and the bears will run away, if you see a moose be prepared to run because they are stupid, blind and mean and will trample you. So with this advice in mind we descended upon the trail.
The trailhead enters through a cedar forest which was dark, cool and beautiful. The trail then leads towards the lake. The first mile of the hike was on a smooth and broad path lined with trees. Both sides of the trail are quite steep the whole way. Often we would be 10 metres from the water but it would also be about a 10 metre drop!
Past a campsite created by the scouts the trail was a little steeper, bumpier and not as wide. We followed a side trail to another camp site and made sandwiches. Quite hot by this time but the amount of crumbs dropped made us feel nervous about bears while we swum so we powered on - up hill for a long way - to find another swimming place. Along the way we found a chipmunk and so many beautiful wild flowers. After about 30 minutes we scrambled down the steep embankment completely determined and ready to swim in the cool, deep, turquoise water. It was amazing, completely isolated apart from a few boats towing water skiiers and so clean!
We scrambled back up the embankment and made our way back. After another hour or so we jumped back in the water before ending our hike, exhausted but satisfied!
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