Naches Trail facts for kids
The Naches Trail (sometimes spelled Nachess) is a very old and important path in the state of Washington. It stretches from the Naches River in Eastern Washington all the way across the Cascade Mountains through Naches Pass. The trail then continues to the Greenwater River in what is now Pierce County in Western Washington.
This trail was first used by Native American groups, including the Yakama people in the east and the Salish people in the west. They used it for travel, trade, and hunting for many years. Later, in the 1800s, it became a major route for settlers moving to the Puget Sound region. This was especially true before other mountain passes, like Snoqualmie Pass, were improved for easier travel. Today, a big highway, Interstate 90, follows the route of the old Snoqualmie Pass.
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Early Explorers and Settlers
The first time someone wrote about traveling through Naches Pass was in 1841. A Navy officer named Lieutenant Robert E. Johnson, who was part of the Wilkes Expedition, recorded his journey. This expedition was a big trip by the U.S. Navy to explore and map parts of the Pacific Ocean and North America.
Building a Road Through the Pass
In 1853, people thought about building a proper road through the Naches Pass. However, the western side of the pass had very thick forests. This made building a road seem almost impossible at the time. Despite the difficulties, settlers still used the trail.
The Longmire Party's Journey
One famous group, known as the Longmire Party, crossed the pass with their wagons. This was a huge challenge! They had to lower their wagons down steep cliffs using ropes. These cliffs are known as the Naches Trail Cliffs (47°06′15″N 121°28′08″W / 47.10419°N 121.46894°W). Imagine trying to get a wagon down a cliff with just ropes!
Naches Trail Today
The Naches Trail was never paved like a modern highway. Today, it is mostly made up of United States Forest Service forest roads. These roads are very popular for off-roading, which is driving special vehicles on unpaved, rough terrain.
Future of the Trail
Since the 1930s, there have been ideas to make the Naches Trail into a new state highway. It was even proposed to be called Washington State Route 168. However, this plan has not happened yet. The trail remains a historic and adventurous route for those who want to explore the beautiful Cascade Mountains.
