The Naches Wagon Trail was first crossed by settlers in covered wagons in 1853. Ultimately, only a few wagon trains ever made the difficult ascent to the 4,800-foot peak of Naches Pass because the terrain was difficult and easier routes through the Cascades were discovered soon after. The original route was so difficult, in fact, that along the western edge of the route, settlers were forced to lower their wagons down the mountainside using rawhide ropes. The first crossing by 4x4 vehicles occurred in 1953, when a group of enthusiasts in surplus flatfenders made a commemorative run on the famous route. It has been a favorite of Pacific Northwest 'wheelers ever since.
We recently joined the El Dorado Dust Devils as they left on their annual pilgrimage to run the Naches Trail on the last day of the year that it is open to off-road vehicles. The trail itself is part of a much larger skein of trails that intercross this section of the Cascade mountain range. So, if you happen to make it through the Naches early and relatively unscathed, there is still a great deal to see and explore.
While most four-wheelers would have hoped for warm, sunny weather, the perverse delight of these Northwesterners lies in thick, slippery mud, which requires lots of rain. as we set out that morning, with our eyes on the looming clouds, we all felt certain that the weather would accommodate our wish for lots of slick, mucky fun.
The entrance to the Naches is intimidating and easy to overlook. In fact, the first time around, it would be easy to mistake the trailhead for an eroded water channel. It is narrow, dark, and very steep. And if it's wet, you had better have big mud-terrains, lockers, and a heavy foot. That's where four-wheelers from other states always go wrong. They are accustomed to the type of four-wheeling that requires a light touch where power is concerned. They rely on traction and the crawling ability of their rigs to get them down a trail. Not so here. In the Cascades, you need to know when to get on the gas and when to back off just enough to let momentum carry you through an obstacle. Otherwise, you'll be in for a long day.
So, with those big muds bolted on, the hubs locked, the locking differentials engaged, and our heavy feet hovering over the gas pedals, we entered the Naches. The engines roared and the mud flew as we clawed our way up the trail. Here, you cannot stop; you cannot slow down. You have to stay in it if you want to make it to the top. Riding in Scott Frary's YJ, we had the advantage of having both a good rig and a good driver to introduce us to this trail. While we thought it was great fun, everyone else bemoaned the fact that it just wasn't slippery enough. Throughout the day, other drivers could be heard saying, "Last year, that took a couple of hours."