Wheeling the Historic Naches Trail 2025 - Adventure Meets 172 Years of History on the Naches Trail

Adventure Meets 172 Years of History on the Naches Trail

From 50-million-year-old volcanic formations to the harrowing 1853 "Cliff" where pioneers lowered wagons by ox-hide ropes, the Naches Pass 4x4 Trail (Trail 1175) is more than just a wheeling trip—it’s a journey through time.

In this episode, Ben and I meet up with the Quadrapaws 4x4 Club out of Kitsap/Port Orchard to tackle this historic route through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. We explore the legendary "meadows, mountains, and mud" while tracing the path of the Longmire-Biles Party, the first wagon train to cross the Cascades into Puget Sound.

In This Video:
The Geology: Discover the Naches Formation, a product of the 50-million-year-old Challis Event. We’re driving over interbedded basalt, sandstone, and rhyolite that shaped this rugged landscape.

Indigenous Roots: Long before it was a "wagon road," this was a vital trade route for the Yakama and Coast Salish (Nisqually and Puyallup) peoples. We discuss the guidance provided by Chief Leschi’s family and the eventual erasure of Native narratives.

The 1853 Ordeal: Imagine crossing the Naches River 63 times and facing a 1,000-foot (historically exaggerated, but still terrifying!) precipice. Hear the story of the Longmire-Biles party killing three animals to make the ropes needed to lower their wagons.

The Ridge Runners: We pay homage to the Yakima Ridge Runners (the first incorporated jeep club, 1947), who in 1953 completed a 100-year commemorative run in surplus flatfenders.

Camp Urich & Government Meadows: A beautiful stop just yards off the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)—yes, the same trail featured in Wild.

Whether you’re here for the technical 4x4 action or the deep Pacific Northwest history, the Naches Pass remains one of the most incredible "stewardship" trails in Washington.

Historical & Geological Citations:
The Longmire Party Crossing (HistoryLink): https://www.historylink.org/file/5053

USGS Naches Formation Geology: https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Geolex/UnitRef...

DNR Geological Map of Naches: https://dnr.wa.gov/sites/default/file...

Reliving the Longmire-Biles Journey: https://southhillhistory.com/History_...

The Naches Story in Brief (Town of Naches): https://townofnaches.com/wp/wp-conten...

The Terrible Naches Trail (Firsthand Accounts): https://themossback.tripod.com/naches...

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