WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: I joined Jayson, Jessica and Jacob for an overnighter to Navaho Peak via the Stafford Creek trail in the Teanaway. Due to the heavy snowfall this winter, this was one of only a few high elevation options that was hikable and within a few hours drive of Seattle. Our other consideration was a beach hike, but we were trying to include some elevation to prepare for our upcoming trip on The Wonderland Trail.
The trail is fourteen miles roundtrip and gains 4100′. Most of it climbs very gradually through forest before reaching a pretty green meadow. This is probably a great place to camp, but we pressed on into the open and arid zone. It was tough with the camping gear on our backs and the sun beating down on us, but a good breeze was blowing most of the day to keep us cool. The breeze also mitigated the bugs around our campsite, but kicked up a lot of sand and dust. Keeping our tents secured was a challenge as well.
We ended up camping at the four-way trail junction along the county line (Navaho Pass?). It wasn’t an ideal campsite, being a couple hundred yards away from the nearest water source, exposed and often passed by other hikers, but the in-your-face view of the Stuart Range made it worth it. The colors during sunset were a treat as well.
More photos at Jayson’s and Jacob’s websites.
The trail is fourteen miles roundtrip and gains 4100′. Most of it climbs very gradually through forest before reaching a pretty green meadow. This is probably a great place to camp, but we pressed on into the open and arid zone. It was tough with the camping gear on our backs and the sun beating down on us, but a good breeze was blowing most of the day to keep us cool. The breeze also mitigated the bugs around our campsite, but kicked up a lot of sand and dust. Keeping our tents secured was a challenge as well.
We ended up camping at the four-way trail junction along the county line (Navaho Pass?). It wasn’t an ideal campsite, being a couple hundred yards away from the nearest water source, exposed and often passed by other hikers, but the in-your-face view of the Stuart Range made it worth it. The colors during sunset were a treat as well.
More photos at Jayson’s and Jacob’s websites.
