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Naches (III-)

Description: The Naches River is a great novice blend of a muti-day river trip, with mid-point car camping. 2 rivers days with only 1 setup and take-down! From the launch at Halfway Flats, the scenery starts in the Wenatchee National Forest with a canyon lined with basalt cliffs and dense forest of Lodgepole and Ponderosa Pine and gradually transitions over the 28 mile stretch down to the high desert rolling hills at the US 12 bridge take-out. The 'normal' overnight stop is at Squaw Rock Resort, about 12 miles into the trip.

The rapids on the Naches are generally Class II with several easy Class III's (Cottonwood and Horseshoe Bend). The big concern on the Naches is the potential for downed trees or brush to block some of the smaller channels between islands

Directions: Allow 3 hours driving time from Seattle. From Seattle WA 169 to Enumclaw, WA 410 to Cayuse and over Chinook Pass. Halfway Flats Bridge is 1 mile north of Cliffdell on WA 410. In above normal snowpack years it is possible that Chinook Pass is still closed at the Memorial Day weekend. In that event, you allow 4 hours to take I-90 to I-82 (towards Yakima), then US 12 to WA 410 - the big circle route! - See map below.

Accommmodations: Camping and cabins at Squaw Rock Resort, as well as numerous campgrounds along WA 410.