Backpack to Navaho Pass

This is a beautiful trail in the Teanaway area, located in Washington State. The trailhead starts along the Stafford Creek Trail and follows the creek for the first couple miles of the trail. There are a number of different types of wildflowers out here that make the first few miles a nice warmup. The trail is very straightforward, climbing almost five miles fairly gradually, to get to the first area to camp. This first area is beautiful but the incredible views above are still waiting. The camp in the meadow here is very popular because of the spring that makes water more readily accessible. If you want to camp up at the pass itself, nows the time to fill up water for the rest of the day or night. Follow the trail winding around the right side of the meadow. After climbing a few hundred feet to get out of the campground, you will reach large dirt field with a little trail winding up towards the pass.

As soon as you breach the pass you are met with enchanting views of the Stuart Range. Climb about 200ft. to the right, towards Navaho Peak for better views, and a couple camp spots that are divine. My group and I stayed here and it can get quite windy. We could here huge gusts, miles out, before they crashed into our tents! Make sure your tent is very secure so that the fly doesn't whip around too much. After setting up camp, take in the immense views of the Stuart Range. This is an odd perspective of Mt. Stuart as it appears to be triangular, creating a unique showing.

The trail up to the peak is about another mile and another 1000ft. away. Follow along towards the top but be careful as snow can linger into July towards the top. Once you reach the 7000ft. summit, your views get even more expansive. The cascades are all intertwined by ridge lines that connect to each other like spider webs. You can plot out bigger trips that meander down in the valley below and around Mt. Stuart from here with ease. Make sure that you also have a map handy to point out all the peaks huddled around you.