Navaho Pass — Friday, Jun. 27, 2025

Several recent Navaho Pass trip reports compelled me to act. The current profusion of wildflowers, remnants of snow on the Stuart Range, the promise of dramatic clouds, and a window in the weather were too much to pass up. I set out solo at 7:50 am in the dull light of the overcast morning. The first meadows of flowering Thimbleberry encouraged me forward. My goal was to take panoramic photos at the pass and higher on the ridge, so I only briefly paused to photograph the vast and ever-changing array of wildflowers. At this time of year, the Stafford Creek Trail is a sensational wildflower hike, and if wildflower identification and photography had been my goal, I never would have made it to the pass. With some reluctance, I continued.

The trail, while lengthy, exhibits a constantly changing character. I am always amazed by the textures of the Teanaway area. The forms and colors make for an artist’s dreamscape. The conundrum that presents itself is: Do I linger, or do I hurry, with miles to go before the pass? Not an easy choice, given the immense beauty. The contrast between the fragile wildflowers and gnarly branches of dead snags engaged me. The sounds of the rambunctious creek kept me company as I was alone. As the sun rose, the overcast began to burn off, and the blue showed through.

I took note of both water sources and deadfall as I hiked toward the pass. Several streams cross the trail before and near the first campsite at 3.5 miles in, and later before the larger meadow camp. A few larger deadfalls required climbing over or skirting around on makeshift paths. There were several more than I remembered from last September. As I paused at the pass, I noted the peaks of the Stuart Range were still shrouded in clouds.  

I continued hiking the trail up toward Navaho Peak until I encountered an improvised tent camp with a rock fire ring and rock wall windbreak about a quarter mile and 300 feet above the pass. Mount Stuart, which was not visible from the pass, now stood proud on the skyline, partly shrouded. I waited to see the spiky summit unencumbered by clouds, intermittently taking photos for a panorama until I was satisfied. I did not continue to the summit. I did not like the steeper sections with loose rock.

After descending to the pass, I took enough photos to make a spherical panorama from that spot as well. And then I reluctantly made my way back. Later in the warmth of the afternoon, butterflies frolicked, chasing each other before me. Grasshoppers hopped, and busy ants scurried across the trail. Ground squirrels blasted over rocks and into the safety of their dens. The trail was now busier with trail runners, day hikers, and backpackers ascending. My overall mileage was 12.1 miles with 3,246 feet of gain. Another banner day in the mountains!

(Note: I have posted links to my two spherical panoramas below. I encourage you to check them out. The clouds at the pass were amazing! For the most immersive viewing, open to full screen and scroll around and up and down.)

Road and Trailhead Notes: The graveled dirt road had the usual washboard and potholes, but nothing to deter a regular vehicle if driven slowly. I took a right onto FR9703 just after crossing the first bridge. After two more bridges on FR9703, I arrived at the trailhead parking lot at 7:40 am as the sixth car. When I left at 4:00 pm, there were fourteen. The lot can hold about 20, and there is plenty of room on the road for parking. The toilet was clean, but out of TP.

More Information on this Trip Report

• https://www.360cities.net/image/stuart-range-navaho-peak-trail-okanagan-wenatchee-national-forest-wa
• https://www.360cities.net/image/navaho-pass-okanagan-wenatchee-national-forest-wa