Backpack - Naches Trail

The Pyramid Creek Sno-Park is near Greenwater on SR 410. To get there, turn left onto FS 70 just south of the town’s fire station. Follow FS 70 for 10 miles to the Sno-Park. A Sno-Park pass is required for all vehicles. Meeting time and potential carpooling to be arranged before the trip.

This trail runs between the Greenwater trailhead and Naches Pass. We will start on the road from Pyramid Creek, because the trail segment from the Greenwater trailhead is in terrible condition. The trail intersects the PCT at the Mike Urich hut and passes along Government Meadow. There may be some informal, snowmobile grooming on the trail, or we may be making our own trail. The route is straightforward and the snowmobiles are on roads on either side of the ridgetop trail. We’ll camp for two nights beside a large meadow about 4.5 miles in. The second day, we’ll continue on the trail to the Mike Urich cabin, Government Meadows, and Naches Pass. We’ll return to the trailhead on day three.

Besides being a three-day trip, this is a strenuous snowshoe, with 2000’ gain over 4.5 miles to camp and a few hundred the next day. In addition, we’ll occasionally have contact with snowmobile routes, especially around Government Meadow. Our route does not follow snowmobile routes, only crosses them from time to time. Everything should be quiet by the time we camp. Bring a tent as a snow cave is impractical here. A map of the area and the route is available here: https://caltopo.com/m/Q6MUQ08

When requesting permission to register, please tell me about your snowshoe and winter camping experience and gear (shelter, sleep system, cooking system, and clothing) you’ll bring in order to stay safe.

We’ll carry out all of our waste, so bring a system for that (blue bag, WAG bag, or homemade). Also, bring a shovel for preparing your tent site and building a communal kitchen.

This is an interesting snowshoe, with marvelous views along the ridgetop and extensive meadows. The route-finding is fairly simple. Because we’re in woods and on top of the ridge, there is no exposure to avalanche terrain.